FJ40 Power steering Conversion

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F

fjkev

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Apr 12, 2010
Threads
8
Messages
80
Location
Wake Forest, NC
Its been a long time since I've posted here. I recently started working on a power steering conversion for my '70 FJ40. A month ago I bought the kit that IPOR sells and some additional brackets from Mark's Offroad.

I'm not a mechanic but on the surface the conversion looks fairly straight forward. Now that I am digging into it I am finding its going to take a lot longer than expected. While I have the fenders, etc off I am finding other things I can do :-)

Looking forward to getting this done and getting the 40 back on the road!!

Kevin
 
Hey Kevin!

Is this what you've got? If so, it's definitely the FJ60 PS conversion kit.
http://www.ironpigoffroad.com//index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10_49&products_id=107

We did a very, very similar PS conversion on Meatball's 40 using ALL Toyota parts, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask. The only thing I would have done differently on Meatball's truck is to use a pillow-block bearing on the steering column on the firewall side. Still trying to come up with a good solution for that, but what we did seems to be working well for him.
 
Yes, its the IPOR FJ60 conversion. The process started this spring. I had a membership to Techshop and was planning to powder coat anything metal that I removed. Two things happened; first Techshop closed the week after I pulled the fenders etc and second IPOR was in the process of revamping their kit. Its a good news bad news situation. Bad news is powder coating is now an issue as I won't be able to do the bigger parts. Good news is the IPOR delay allowed me to stop by, while driving to Philly, and pick up most of the parts saving on shipping. I am backordered on a couple brackets and the collapsable steering column which they will ship for free.

This is where I'm currently at with removing the manual steering.
fj40.jpg


Here is the kit I received from Mark's Offroad. Has a mounting bracket to move the alternator to the right side and a bracket to mount the power steering pump in place of the original alternator bracket. Allow me to keep the early air cleaner. Also includes a dual belt water pump pulley and spacer.
MarksKit.jpg


This is the kit from IPOR. Comes with the FJ60 steering box, pressure and return hoses (not pictured), flat pitman arm, drag links, p/s pump, pump pulley, 3/4" shaft.
IporKit.jpg


So far I am happy with the support from IPOR. It was definitely worth talking to them in person as they took me in the shop to show me some of the installs.

I am sure I will have questions. Thanks for the offer of help!!

Kevin
 
Cool! I know you'll like the fj60 box with the Saginaw pump. That setup turns my 37s with ease.

On Adam's 40, we mounted the steering box right where the factory upper ds shock mount goes.
 
For what I have the manual steering box is fine. The problem is I can turn the wheel almost 180 degrees before the tires start moving. Its ok puttering around the neighborhood at 25 but above 45 its scarier than s%&#.

I've seen pictures of the install and expect to trim some from the shock tower and inside of the fender. Seems a much better option than cutting a hole in the frame for the Saginaw P/S.

I have more items to pull, clean and paint or powder coat. If I procrastinate enough the humidity might be down to a good level when I'm ready :-) Even though I would like to start driving it again now I expect it will be October before I finish.

Will post updates and questions as I go.

Kevin
 
Sounds good Kevin. Keep us posted!

I've got pictures of Adam's install if you need them. They're also on the forum. I think we did that a year ago.
 
I think I have pretty much everything figured out and IPOR has been helpful filling the gaps and have sent me a bunch of pics. At the moment I have only one question regarding mounting the pump. I opted to use the bracket from Mark's Offroad instead of the IPOR bracket. The reason is so I can keep the stock air cleaner. The bracket replaces the original alternator bracket on the left side and comes with a separate tensioner.

Here is a better pic of the bracket:
IMG_0423.jpg


The holes for the pivot are wider than the pump. I'm not sure how to mount the pump to the bracket and tensioner. With the filler neck oriented up there are four bolt holes at 1 o'clock, 3, 7 and 9. On the other side there are holes that are plugged that align with 1 o'clock and 7 o'clock. My assumption is that I remove both plugs and use the 1 o'clock holes for the tensioner and 7 for the pivot. Maybe the 1 o'clock plug doesn't need removed.

If anyone has pics or knows what to do that would be great. If not I am sure IPOR will get back to me with the answer.

Kevin
 
I don't know how that bracket Is supposed to be used. Where does it mount? What pump is it meant to use?
 
In the first picture you can sort of see the alternate is disconnected from the tensioner but still connected to the pivot of the bracket which is next to and under the left side motor mount. Mark's bracket replaces that alternator bracket. When I ordered it Mark said it was for a Saginaw pump. Is there more than one type of Saginaw pump? I don't know (which is why I went the kit route :-).

I took the bracket with me to IPOR and they said it should work. Should have had them show me. If it mounts the way I think it does then I will need some spacers and will need to shave some off the bracket between the holes to accommodate what I have.

I started talking with IPOR about it today. Hopefully they will have guidance for me soon.

EDIT: I may need to build a custom "pivot" bracket that includes the needed spacers and securely mounts the pump to Mark's bracket.

Kevin
 
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