Switch to power steering?

[chevyjeep]

Hi, well as the title says I'm wondering if I can use the power steering box and pump etc. From a 83 CJ7 and put it on my 82 CJ5 ? I imagine there the same? ...no power steering gets hard on the arms after a day on the trail!!

 

[mtnwhlr]

Yes it is the same.

 

[tarry99]

Yes / No.........take a look at the gear box mounts........the manual may be 3 bolts and the Power will probably be 4 bolts......the mount location on the frame may be different between the two since the CJ7 is 10" longer. The donor gear box and Pittman arm have to line up correctly fore & aft for the drag link and tie rod to align correctly with the passenger side spindle. The input shaft size between the two gear boxes will also be different so the coupler at a minimum will have to be replaced. The Pittman arm spline size on the sector shaft will also be different between the two...............Lot's of mix and match to get all the parts to fit and work correctly..............

 

[chevyjeep]

Thanks for the reply! ...I'm currently out of town and not by it to look at the mounts but it seems I remember that the manual is a 3 bolt mount. ...is if I understand correctly it would be possible with a combination of the parts I already have? I'm no stranger to making things work or modifying something for better fitment. But before I start tearing into it is would like to know if it's even worth the effort to try! Or if someone on here has tried and could end my wondering!

 

[tarry99]

Going from non-power steering to power steering has been done thousands of times............for a Jeep that modification is one that is done the most.

Yes your parts will work with some mods.............Is it worth it? Only you can answer.

This may be something that may bolt on and then again may need some fabrication ..........do you have the equipment and skills?

You will have to source the pump and mounts for your motor also. If the stuff your pulling off is old and leaking oil.......that all needs to be rebuilt.

 

[chevyjeep]

Yes the tools and skills is not a problem...OK well it sounds like I need to just tackle it and see how it goes! And if I need to modify anything or not. ...and the parts I will be using are in good shape. No leaks. It worked perfectly before it became a parts jeep ...what did you mean by I will have to source the pump and mounts for my engine?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

It's a 'mod' that you'll NEVER regret doing.
Good luck,
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

While at it switch out the lower steering shaft for a borgenson style shaft. A pricey little piece, but you'll loose that stupid coupler at the bottom of the shaft for a nice little universal joint (both top and bottom have the same joint). You will gain nice tight steering and a collapsible shaft (safer in an accident).

You will also find running the pressure and return line to be a bit interesting. To do this job efficiently and well you should remove your radiator and grill. Not doing this somewhat easy thing will save you a bunch of skin and the ability to actually see what you are doing.

 

[Petescj]

Yes the tools and skills is not a problem...OK well it sounds like I need to just tackle it and see how it goes! And if I need to modify anything or not. ...and the parts I will be using are in good shape. No leaks. It worked perfectly before it became a parts jeep ...what did you mean by I will have to source the pump and mounts for my engine?

I think there is some confusion due to your username. Going off your profile your CJ5 has the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . As long as the CJ7 has a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l all the parts for the power steering will swap to your CJ5 with the additional mounting hole. This is a good time to upgrade the steering box bracket. You'll need to swap the pump, resivour, mounting bracket , both hoses , steering box, pitman arm and steering shaft coupler. You may need to swap the pulleys as well to add the power steering belt. Like Lumpy said you will never regret this modification. It's not very difficult.

 

[Petescj]

While at it switch out the lower steering shaft for a borgenson style shaft. A pricey little piece, but you'll loose that stupid coupler at the bottom of the shaft for a nice little universal joint (both top and bottom have the same joint). You will gain nice tight steering and a collapsible shaft (safer in an accident).

You will also find running the pressure and return line to be a bit interesting. To do this job efficiently and well you should remove your radiator and grill. Not doing this somewhat easy thing will save you a bunch of skin and the ability to actually see what you are doing.

Good tips right there. Removing the radiator is a big help. I'd go as far as taking the grill shell and radiator in one piece. The wiring is long enough you can set it off to the driver side. Just be careful with the radiator. Their expensive. Trust me.

 

[chevyjeep]

Thanks for all the info!! Ok it sounds like something I need to do then! And I can definitely see why removing the radiator and grill would help.....and in answer to my user name. I grew up with a sbc swapped cj on the farm. And I loved it. There for the username. ....it will be a few days before I'm back home but I'll let yall know how it goes !

 

[chevyjeep]

Well altho it may seem I've forgot about this post I haven't. yet!! Life over took my "jeep time" and I never got around to doing the power steering swap. But I wish I'd done it sooner!

But about 2 days ago I finally did it. And it was a piece of cake! Everything was literally a direct swap of parts from the manual to power. The mounting for the gear box was the same and my CJ5 had previously had a smog pump (currently under the work bench where it belongs) so the pulleys where right for the power steering pump belt. And wow do I ever love the power steering now! The 33s" where a beast off road. And thanks all for your info given!

 

[Torxhead]

Congrats on getting the upgrade done. I have watched a few guys using manual steering with a large set of tires steer thru the rocks and trees and it was quite entertaining. BTW, on my last pump replacement a filter was included to go on the return line.

 

[rhart15]

Since your doing this changeout from manual to power steering and I have just purchased a 75 CJ5 and want to do the same, any ideas where to get the components for the changeout?

 

[Torxhead]

Welcome to the forum. I purchased a rebuilt from Cardone thru a local N.A.P.A. dealer a while back and it works fine. It was a bit cheaper than getting the oem one rebuilt.

 

[chevyjeep]

Your simplest way to get all the power steering components is to find an old jeep in the junk somewhere with power steering and just get all you need from it.