Steering gear pics please

[DanB2]

I have an old '48 CJ2a that was someone's project jeep once. It had a Ford 351W, a Ford 4-speed and it appears maybe a Ford power steering box. They had to notch the front bumper to get this to fit and the tie rod rests on the top of the right leaf spring. The box is froze up solid - I ripped the rag joint in two trying to turn it. I plan to correct this and need some pictures of what was in there originally.

If you have a picture of your steering gear, could you post the pic to this thread. It would help me in fixing this "mod" someone made years ago.

Thanks in Advance

p.s. and if you upgraded your steering gear with XJ parts, post a picture of that if you can.

Thanks Again

 

[Sasquach]

This is stock 3b Ross steering, should be similar if not the same.
sorry bout the crappy phone pics.

 

[DanB2]

Very nice pictures. Looks like you went back in time and snuck into a dealer showroom to get those pictures. You set a very high standard for my project. I also see that some of (or most of ) those pieces are missing on my CJ. They even removed the piece that the bellcrank mounts to...

The power steering mod performed on mine leaves a minimal amount to be desired. I really dislike that fact on mine the steering gear/box in ahead of the grill. The steering column in my CJ leaves a lot to be desired as well, but at least the turn signal does work in as much as it self-cancels when the steering wheel is turned, but it looks nothing like the original.

My thinking is now that everything from the steering wheel down to the tie rods are different I may have to wait until I have an engine resting between the frame rails before I put much more thought into it. One thought has been the use of a Chevy Astro van steering gear. The arm goes forward on those instead of back. I could hide it behind the grill.

Thank You for a very nice pictures.

 

[Sasquach]

To do a really clean steering conversion on an early CJ takes some skills with all the variables involved, heck it even takes skill do do a hack job. My project started with everything intack as stock although a bit bent and worn so it was no huge challenge to get in good working order again. I think your right about getting the engine in before any designing.
good luck with it.

 

[DanB2]

Yes, engine first, steering second. The homemade engine mounts now are a mess. The steering shaft runs through the left side mount. And, doesn't properly line up with the steering column.

I have access to a burned up Chevy Astro van - long story - my niece's employer needed a place to store, talked to my brother and it ended up at my place. Since it has been here for years and survived many paintball wars so I get to pull off whatever I need. So I'm laying claim to the engine and steering gear and the floorpan come spring. It will be interesting to see how much of the engine I can use.

 

[hagar]

Are you going back to stock, factory Ross steering box and column, or trying to improve on what you already have?

here are some pics of the good, bad, and sometimes ugly:

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

 

[DanB2]

To go back to stock I think would be a lot of work - equal to or more than converting to a newer steering gear setup. I plan to put a Chevy 4.3L V6 under the hood and I don't think the stock steering will allow that. I'm not going to hot-rod it as I don't think it will be necessary; the V6 with a carb makes about ~150hp, more than enough for me. The short engine should clear the firewall - mine has already been hacked up some for the Ford small block that was in in.

I guess I should state what I'm going for as it might make it easier to follow me. A stock appearance CJ2a except for under the hood, the Chevy V6. I will make a few exceptions (for safety reasons) the steering column in it now has turn signals - I like that idea. The original didn't have turn signals. It has a roll bar, although I think this one is too tall - I haven't measured it but it sits really tall. The brakes will most likely be upgraded - a power brake booster if I can find one that will fit. And of course, late model power steering.

I had no idea of what the CJ steering looked like when it was stock, so that is why I was asking for pictures.

A Chevy Astro Van steering gear puts the pitman arm forward, which would allow the steering gear to be back behind the grill - for that 'stock' appearance. And depending how much exhaust manifold is there, or power steering pump, I'll choose the location for the steering gear.

I'm just really excited to start this as I really missed my CJ5 ; I traded it for a Ford F150 4x4 as I needed a pickup. Dumb things we do. I also traded a '69 Mach One for a wife. Really dumb move... Lost both of them.

 

[mstar]

your jeep is front steer.You say the pitman arm on the astro van points forward? so are the tierods in front of axle centerline or behind? If it's a rear steer the gear will turn opposite of what you want.Maybe you already know all of this . mike

 

[tarry99]

To go back to stock I think would be a lot of work - equal to or more than converting to a newer steering gear setup. I plan to put a Chevy 4.3L V6 under the hood and I don't think the stock steering will allow that. I'm not going to hot-rod it as I don't think it will be necessary; the V6 with a carb makes about ~150hp, more than enough for me. The short engine should clear the firewall - mine has already been hacked up some for the Ford small block that was in in.

I guess I should state what I'm going for as it might make it easier to follow me. A stock appearance CJ2a except for under the hood, the Chevy V6. I will make a few exceptions (for safety reasons) the steering column in it now has turn signals - I like that idea. The original didn't have turn signals. It has a roll bar, although I think this one is too tall - I haven't measured it but it sits really tall. The brakes will most likely be upgraded - a power brake booster if I can find one that will fit. And of course, late model power steering.

I had no idea of what the CJ steering looked like when it was stock, so that is why I was asking for pictures.

A Chevy Astro Van steering gear puts the pitman arm forward, which would allow the steering gear to be back behind the grill - for that 'stock' appearance. And depending how much exhaust manifold is there, or power steering pump, I'll choose the location for the steering gear.

I'm just really excited to start this as I really missed my CJ5 ; I traded it for a Ford F150 4x4 as I needed a pickup. Dumb things we do. I also traded a '69 Mach One for a wife. Really dumb move... Lost both of them.

Having done many Power steering swaps in early CJ's the first thing you will find out and more so on a CJ2a is that there is no room under the hood.
Can it be done in the engine compartment? Maybe & yes with the precision of picking the exact right location for mounting while re-engineering everything else that also has to be in the right place to complement each other......
Can you do a Saginaw box in front of the grill and mount it low enough to hide it? Probably.
But here is what you have to focus on & understand..... mounting a gear box in the correct location is paramount...., taking into account for proper angles and geometry should be the only factor in choosing it's location........I have seen hundreds if not thousands of hacked up misaligned steering gear mountings & modifications that never work correctly and the end result is always the same, the owner still complains about how poorly it steers.

 

[mstar]

Having done many Power steering swaps in early CJ's the first thing you will find out and more so on a CJ2a is that there is no room under the hood.
Can it be done in the engine compartment? Maybe & yes with the precision of picking the exact right location for mounting while re-engineering everything else that also has to be in the right place to complement each other......
Can you do a Saginaw box in front of the grill and mount it low enough to hide it? Probably.
But here is what you have to focus on & understand..... mounting a gear box in the correct location is paramount...., taking into account for proper angles and geometry should be the only factor in choosing it's location........I have seen hundreds if not thousands of hacked up misaligned steering gear mountings & modifications that never work correctly and the end result is always the same, the owner still complains about how poorly it steers.

That is the voice of experience. Pay attention grass-hopper !!
actually I have botched up a couple Saginaw conversions in my youth and
it ain't hard to do. mike s.

 

[mstar]

Dan, I did some research on the astro 2wd steering and indeed it is front steer with the box mounted almost vertical. you may be on to something keep us posted. mike

 

[DanB2]

your jeep is front steer.You say the pitman arm on the astro van points forward? so are the tierods in front of axle centerline or behind? If it's a rear steer the gear will turn opposite of what you want.Maybe you already know all of this . mike

I kinda assumed it was common knowledge (and yes, I know how to spell assume ) for the use of an Astro Van steering gear in a CJ2a . I read about it first in another forum (pirate4x4) and when I Googled "CJ2a Astro Van Steering" and brought up a lot of links and IMAGES. This where I get my idea from. I have to guess that the Astro Van gear is built differently than a "normal" steering gear. I'm not going to claim I'm smart enough to know this on my own. What I do know is that I have available to me is the remains of an Astro Van...

 

[mstar]

I kinda assumed it was common knowledge (and yes, I know how to spell assume ) .

humor ? see ya around friend.

 

[DanB2]

Yes, it was an attempt at humor, but I see it may not have come across well. In that event please accept my apologies and I will refrain from such humor in the future.

Have a Merry Christmas!