Changing lower insert on '82 FJ40 Steering Column

[Torque]

I soon will have all of the pieces I need to convert my 1982 FJ40 from manual steering to stock power steering.

I have attached pictures of steering column under the hood and under the dash. My questions is: to change to the shorter (PS) insert, does the entire column have to come off or will I be able to swap the insert by working just under the hood and under the dash? My guess is the later and the shaft connects to the column just on the passenger side of the firewall beneath the flared housing. Am I right?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[grant5127]

The steering shaft is a one piece design.........you'll have to remove the column and disassemble it to make the swap to the shorter shaft.......

 

[Torque]

Thanks for the info. One follow up question...pictured is a collapsible steering column that should be in an '82?

Thanks again.

John

 

[desertpat]

On the later 40's, the lower end of the steering shaft (that connects to the rag joint) is removable with the steering column in place.
There is a retaining clip, a bushing and above in the column there are 3 lugs on pivots on the shaft.
I made a "doughnut" from 3/8" thick rubber sheet to replace the old bushing.
Simply swap out the shaft to the new length for power steering and re-assemble.
I think this goes better with the steering box out of the way, but it's possible with the steering box in place as well.
I actually removed OEM power steering to replace it with manual as I run tall skinnies (16" split rims) and power steering is not required.
good luck

 

[fjwagon]

I did this mod about 6-7 years ago on my 82. From I remember, I removed a some kind on clip located on the column from the outside.(see Torque's 1st pic). Unbolt it from the ragjoint, loosen the hardware on the ragjoint and slide it down. The shaft should be able to come out. There is some hardware attached on the shaft inside so be careful not to loose them. Since I did not have a drill press and still don't, I ended up taking it to a machine shop. But I'm sure if you have the proper equipment it's not hard to do yourself. I had them cut section off and redrill it. I think I still have the section I had them cut somewhere. There is no need to removed the entire steering colum. Good Luck

On the 80 and older remove the steering wheel and and ragjoint to have access to shaft. I believe you can still get those. They are bacically shorter than the non ps steering one. I did not like the idea of cutting it and rewelding it. That's just me.

 

[Torque]

Thanks for everyone's input!

John

 

[Dedtruk]

Uh, do I have a clue or ???

I'm doing a frame off rebuild of my July '81 40. I've got most of the stock P/S stuff except the steering shaft. Do I understand the posts in this thread that basically the lower steering shaft that bolts up to the rag joint can be shortened to work with the factory P/S box? Obviously this is lots easier to do this while the truck is just a frame on jackstands!

Thanks!

I did this mod about 6-7 years ago on my 82. From I remember, I removed a some kind on clip located on the column from the outside.(see Torque's 1st pic). Unbolt it from the ragjoint, loosen the hardware on the ragjoint and slide it down. The shaft should be able to come out. There is some hardware attached on the shaft inside so be careful not to loose them. Since I did not have a drill press and still don't, I ended up taking it to a machine shop. But I'm sure if you have the proper equipment it's not hard to do yourself. I had them cut section off and redrill it. I think I still have the section I had them cut somewhere. There is no need to removed the entire steering colum. Good Luck

On the 80 and older remove the steering wheel and and ragjoint to have access to shaft. I believe you can still get those. They are bacically shorter than the non ps steering one. I did not like the idea of cutting it and rewelding it. That's just me.

 

[fjwagon]

Yep, it's that easy is.

 

[Dedtruk]

Reasonable plan?

Yep, it's that easy is.

While everything is apart (my rig is just a frame on stands right now), I should probably remove the lower steering shaft from the column and install the steering box on the frame but leave it loose. That way, I can install the cowl/tub on the frame but still be able to mock up the lower steering shaft to determine how much to cut off and where to redrill the shaft for the nylon plastic dowel pins that I assume hold the upper & lower shafts together, right?

Thanks for the advice, BTW! I'm going to post a build thread, but its nice to gather info in the interim.