steering conversion,1970 cj5

[buzzinhalfdoz]

i will be going to manual saginaw box soon.
any pics on the job?
thanks

 

[tarry99]

i will be going to manual saginaw box soon.
any pics on the job?
thanks

Manual Saginaw as compared to the old Ross "buggy" steering is a marked improvement no question...........but you will still find yourself at slow speeds while parking and around dirt & mud off road muscling the steering wheel.

Not to say it is again not an Improvement over stock............but once there with manual to change over to Power requires a complete change of all the work you just did including mounts , steering shafts Etc;

Of course your stock steering column also needs modification's to go either way.

So my suggestion are first , if you ever thought you wanted to have a tilt column now is the time to think that out and also if at some point larger tires and being off road is also in your future again now is the time to think about Power Steering.

 

[Torxhead]

I always enjoy watching a guy steer thru the rocks with manual steering and huge tires.

 

[buzzinhalfdoz]

i will be running 29-30 x 10.50s so the little 4 can still pull well. i would consider power steering , does the 4 have enough power to spare to pull the pump?
i have a couple junk amc cars for donar boxes (if they work), they look the same as my neighbors 1976 cj. (mounted forward of the grille.)
what boxes will work?
what about the steering linkage componets?
are their other options to replace the ross?
i have worked on amc cars for over 30 years, this is my first cj.
do i need the parts for a later model cj?
as far as the tilt colum, i was under the impression the colum would have to be replaced anyway. maby use one out af my junk amc cars?
thanks

 

[mstar]

You can modifiy the stock column if you want to keep some originality to your jeep.It is a simple operation that can be done without any special tools.A metal lathe would be handy and AA used to sell the bronze bushing for the lower end of the column. Just a option.Flaming River makes a tilt unit that fits nicely in a jeep if you have a little dough to spent.Borgeson for the u-joints any combination you need. Mike

 

[tarry99]

i will be running 29-30 x 10.50s so the little 4 can still pull well. i would consider power steering , does the 4 have enough power to spare to pull the pump?
i have a couple junk amc cars for donar boxes (if they work), they look the same as my neighbors 1976 cj. (mounted forward of the grille.)
what boxes will work?
what about the steering linkage componets?
are their other options to replace the ross?
i have worked on amc cars for over 30 years, this is my first cj.
do i need the parts for a later model cj?
as far as the tilt colum, i was under the impression the colum would have to be replaced anyway. maby use one out af my junk amc cars?
thanks

The 4 cylinders are under powered but I have seen many folks with the 4 on Power steering......good news is going strait down the road there is very little loss of HP, just when your cranking the steering at low speeds is when you will notice it most. The Saginaw steering box of choice is a model 800... reproduced for many applications in various cars. In fact Jeep used that box from the late 70's through the mid 80's A 4-bolt box with a large 76 or 67 cast in the case.
When you convert from the old Ross steering all of that steering linkage goes away. The old column can be modified and reused but has to be cut away from the old steering gear. A new column especially a tilt if you like them would be a good Idea..........but that's up to you!
Steering linkage can be found to fit your Dana 25 as shown in the picture of a Dana 27. This linkage is a basic tie rod with a drag link combination coming from the Saginaw gear box Pittman arm. Here is a typical mount for the Saginaw box and also a Flaming River no frills tilt column that I had them build.

 

[IOPort51]

It was not that big a problem until I put the locker in the front axle.

I always enjoy watching a guy steer thru the rocks with manual steering and huge tires.

 

[Sam5038]

I like the fast ratio Saginaw Box myself. It makes it easier to steer on the trails. Less turns of the wheel. Another thought. Find a Vega manual steering box. They are easier to turn.

 

[buzzinhalfdoz]

thanks for all the help
i wont start fab work until i remove the tub this fall.

 

[mstar]

So that means you will plan the route for the intermediate steering shaft and column and steering gear location before you disassemble the jeep?
mike

 

[buzzinhalfdoz]

my plans are to dissasemble amd remove the tub and front end first, the engine is already out.
then do all the welding and body work on the tub.
then rebuild the frame and all componets.
then install engine in the frame
then install tub and do the steering and fab work before installint the front clip.
is this the correct way?
ps-do i understand right? tie rod, drag link off a 72 up will work on my 70 spindles?
thanks for helping this newbee out...
pss- how to mount a ps pump to a 134?

 

[hagar]

ps-do i understand right? tie rod, drag link off a 72 up will work on my 70 spindles?

No they won't; they are too long.
Dana 27 is narrower than a Dana 30 front axle.
Spindles are what the wheel bearings and wheel hubs ride on.
Knuckles are what the tie rod ends attach to.

 

[buzzinhalfdoz]

so what do ineed, knuckles or spindles off what year?

 

[tarry99]

so what do ineed, knuckles or spindles off what year?

You can use all your parts on the D-27 that you already have.........the tie rod setup and drag link in its original form coming from the later Dana 30 is too long as mentioned..........but can be cut down and re-threaded to the correct length needed for your application.......(take a look at the pictures I posted previously) lots of "Old" 4-wheel drive shops did that for many years..........I'm sure if you search around and find a shop that still knows what a CJ5 is they should be able to help you.............out here in California Parts Mike should have what you need.

 

[hagar]

Maybe this will help your thought process and give you some ideas.
If it were me, I'd get a 2 hole rh knuckle off an early wagoneer and then you can run 1 piece drag link and 1 piece tie rod from wheel to wheel.
The thread below is for power steering, but if you go manual box the modifications are nearly identical.


Saginaw power steering (pics) please add yours!!!!

2 hole knuckle looks like this
can be found closer and cheaper than that one though.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/STEERING-KN...Parts_Accessories&hash=item483d5c7503&vxp=mtr

 

[buzzinhalfdoz]

thanks for the pics they help a lot...

 

[mstar]

Maybe this will help your thought process and give you some ideas.
If it were me, I'd get a 2 hole rh knuckle off an early wagoneer and then you can run 1 piece drag link and 1 piece tie rod from wheel to wheel



2 hole knuckle looks like this
http://

I recently did the two hole knuckle conversion.Tie rods are from hermtheoverdriveguy mike

 

[buzzinhalfdoz]

You can use all your parts on the D-27 that you already have.........the tie rod setup and drag link in its original form coming from the later Dana 30 is too long as mentioned..........but can be cut down and re-threaded to the correct length needed for your application.......(take a look at the pictures I posted previously) lots of "Old" 4-wheel drive shops did that for many years..........I'm sure if you search around and find a shop that still knows what a CJ5 is they should be able to help you.............out here in California Parts Mike should have what you need.

ok the tub has been off the frame( for floor patching and braceing) for a couple weeks now and all the welding and fab work is almost finished. i will soon be starting on the frame, what knuckle, and pitman do i need ( if i cut and rethread my tie rods)?