CJ5 Steering Questions

[Jonathan5235]

I am currently working on restoring a Jeep CJ5 and had some questions to ask about the steering. The chassy is a 1956 and it has a 1965 body on it. It was in a wreak and the steering was damaged. The is bolt or pin of some kind that holds the steering assembly to the body and connects the steering column to the tie rods. This was snapped in the wreak and as a result there is no steering other than manually turning the tires when moving it (it doesn't run).
Anyways, I am trying to figure out what this is called (where it connects the tie rods to the steering shaft/column) and where I might find a replacement one. It may be different because of the different year of body and chassy, but I don't know enough about Jeeps to be able to tell. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[BajaEdition]

both years shared the same steering
and it is not a very modern system
however there are some very good ways to modify it

I have a system that uses the original steering box and pitman arm on my 67 and kit bashed a tie rod and drag link from a newer CJ, It takes a bit of moding, but it works well
i my 70 I installed a full saginaw system which is a much better way to go
and you cn find parts for the conversion all over the net. If you are running some special stuff like PTO winch this is not an option but if you are not then go for it,
Just google Jeep Saginaw Conversion and a lot of info will come up

if you need any more info just ask

 

[tarry99]

I am currently working on restoring a Jeep CJ5 and had some questions to ask about the steering. The chassy is a 1956 and it has a 1965 body on it. It was in a wreak and the steering was damaged. The is bolt or pin of some kind that holds the steering assembly to the body and connects the steering column to the tie rods. This was snapped in the wreak and as a result there is no steering other than manually turning the tires when moving it (it doesn't run).
Anyways, I am trying to figure out what this is called (where it connects the tie rods to the steering shaft/column) and where I might find a replacement one. It may be different because of the different year of body and chassy, but I don't know enough about Jeeps to be able to tell. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

A picture of what you are talking about would be great, If this was stock then the original Ross steering box would be attached to the frame at the end of the steering column. There is also a pin attached to the front cross member under the radiator that the bell crank attached to???

Like Baja has stated the Saginaw steering system using a 70's style GM box is a much better steering system. In fact Jeep incorporated that Saginaw system into all the Jeeps from about 1972 on which remained in all the CJ's till they quit building them.

 

[Sasquach]

Sounds like the drag link and bellcrank you are describing. Pretty sure those parts could be had if you wanted to stay original but like Baja said it's not a modern setup by any stretch.
If your not planning to lift or modify the cj much it would make some sense to just repair/rebuild to original, you will open a can off worms if you decide otherwise.
Baja, does your modified Ross system still use the bellcrank were the pitman normally would be on a later cj?
http://store.midwestjeepwillys.com/steering-bellcrank---draglink.html

 

[Jonathan5235]

I have been thinking about switching to a Saginaw box, so I guess i should get that before I worry about trying to fix the current setup since it sounds like it may require a bit of modding. Thanks all!

 

[tarry99]

I have been thinking about switching to a Saginaw box, so I guess i should get that before I worry about trying to fix the current setup since it sounds like it may require a bit of modding. Thanks all!

I think that's a good move, I have done many of these conversions to older Jeeps. The Saginaw system over the stock Ross is a major improvement whether you do a manual or power system.
Does require some work as most hang the new steering gear up forward on the frame rail between the front bumper & the first cross member on the drivers side. A hole through that cross member allows your steering shaft to pass through on its way to the column. Your stock column can be reused by shortening it and using some more conventional modern parts like u-joints and a collapsible steering shaft to complete the hookup. The tie rod and the drag link would also be new..............sound like a lot of work , but thousands of Jeep owners have done this in the past and the results are well worth the time & money!

 

[BajaEdition]

I put a Dana 30 in, so I just used the Dana 30 tie rod and made a drag link to the steering arm on the ross gear box
sound crazy but it works great
I mean Sasquatch, di you see me have any issues when we were at Calico last year?
and remember I drove 90 miles to get there. It works great.
Every one tells me it should not but it does and I was turning the same radiuses you were that weekend

 

[tarry99]

Baja,

So are you steering off the left front spindle or are you still using the bell crank?
Love to see a picture of that................

 

[Sasquach]

Baja,

So are you steering off the left front spindle or are you still using the bell crank?
Love to see a picture of that................

This is what I'm wondering too. I do not remember specificaly looking at how you did that and am now scratching my head trying to picture it.

 

[BajaEdition]

Baja,

So are you steering off the left front spindle or are you still using the bell crank?
Love to see a picture of that................

there is no bell crank on a D 30, those were on the older axles. I use the arm of the steering box