I am looking at a project truck... Is this a factory power steering setup?
1978 FJ40 Is this factory power steering???
- Thread starter TJ96TLC
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #2
More...
- Thread starter
- #4
Its a 1978...so the gearbox looks factory from a later model?? I thought the pump and reservoir looked familiar. I wonder how that box would act with a Saginaw pump? The power steering works fine according to my friend. That system looks pretty weak in design, too many failure points. I will be putting a 4bt in with a Saginaw pump. I think I would benefit from going Saginaw or 60 series kit. Are those factory gear boxes valuable?
Last edited:
More than a few folks run a OEM or minitruck PS box on a Saginaw pump, and a number of old Toyota pumps are tired, so the system can sometimes use a pressure boost. Yes - the OEM PS box is relatively valuable, mostly to people restoring a '79-83 or anyone who wants a stock solution to PS. If you're going to ditch the factory linkages, there are many options - FJ60, Astro, traditional Saginaw, Scout, etc. I would examine all solutions carefully before you start hacking into the frame.
- Thread starter
- #6
My plan is to use the Saginaw Pump mounted on the 4bt which is running an 80 series box now. Then I would add the 60 series to the frame and eliminate the existing pump, relay arm and the mechanism in the corner of the front left frame area. I am not going huge tires, just the weight of the 4bt will be a lot. I measured the 4bt setup today and it appears to fit. Who knows what I will get into. I will probably be begging for expert advice in the coming months!!!
It's definitely a 40 steering box. If it were mini truck the pedestal would have to have been modified. I can't speak to the pump though. Those boxes are definitely in high demand and will bring a premium. Even more rare than the box itself is the heat shield on it.
I'm running a late model 40 box with a saginaw pump and it works great. But I'm only running 31 10.50's and it's moslty a DD with light trails. No heavy crawling. I had the box rebuilt by west texas offroad. They are quick and priced fairly.
I'm running a late model 40 box with a saginaw pump and it works great. But I'm only running 31 10.50's and it's moslty a DD with light trails. No heavy crawling. I had the box rebuilt by west texas offroad. They are quick and priced fairly.
box
As ccasteel said it's 40 PS box. The easiest way to tell is the 40 box has the mounting pad at about 45 degree angle to the axis of the input shaft. The mini truck box has the mounting pad running almost parallel to the input steering shaft.
The steering pump is not stock, however I think any steering pump with enough volume is going to OK.
Don't think they had stock PS in 1978 had to wait until late 79 or 80 up to get PS.
Thanks jb
As ccasteel said it's 40 PS box. The easiest way to tell is the 40 box has the mounting pad at about 45 degree angle to the axis of the input shaft. The mini truck box has the mounting pad running almost parallel to the input steering shaft.
The steering pump is not stock, however I think any steering pump with enough volume is going to OK.
Don't think they had stock PS in 1978 had to wait until late 79 or 80 up to get PS.
Thanks jb
- Thread starter
- #9
Any idea what I might recoup from selling the pump, box, and reservoir??? Specifically the steering box, sounds like its desirable. It seemed tight, the output shaft moved consistent with me turning the wheel. Didn't feel too loose. No leaks either. The truck has sat for 4 years without a drop of ps fluid leaking.
upwards of 500 for the box alone
- Thread starter
- #11
Hoping to buy this truck tomorrow. New job, new town, old 40...love it!!!
I think I paid right around $500 for my last box and then sent it off to West Texas for peace of mind. If you sell it the buyer might also want the steering shaft. The PS steering shaft is about 1.5 inches shorter than the manual. Or they can cut and sleeve the shaft.
Resurrection here, but can someone confirm this is the case? The 1978 manual shaft w flange will NOT bolt up to an OEM power steering box?
I’ve not seen it in person, but I have seen in several threads that the steering shaft is a different length. Hopefully someone with firsthand knowledge of shaft lengths will confirm.
I’d lay odds that Flaming River would have components that could attach the two… but you’d have to check.
Yes, some later '78s have the block tapped to mount PS pump, up high on the driver side.
Yes, it will bolt up, but it is about 3/4 inch longer than the PS steering shaft, so the wheel will be a little closer to you. You can shorten the manual shaft if you want it to be the stock length.