Howdy,
I’ve been lurking without an account for about a year now. I’m closing on a 78’ this Friday (introductory post to follow).
Out of the gate I’d like to upgrade the manual steering to powered. After poking around forums and FB marketplace, I’d like to go with the beefier 80 box and pump (over a 60). I’m committed to using as much Toyota DNA as possible (I’ll explain in my intro and build post, shortly). I’ll rebuild both the box and pump before I install them, so right now I’m just trying to find some without structural damage. Anyhow, I’m rambling. To the questions.
I’ve been combing through the FAQ and past threads on this topic but I haven’t found a straight answer on a couple of things.
1. With a custom bracket, can I mate the 80 box to the stock 40 steering shaft rag joint (on the 78), without any cutting or welding?
2. I’ve seen several builds where the 80 box is right behind the grill instead of mounted further back where the stock manual box usually goes (and where I plan on mounting mine, unless I’m convinced otherwise). In this case there is usually a long shaft mated with a u-joint to the steering column shaft (forgive me if I’m butchering nomenclature—still learning). Is this a safety thing? Is it more efficient? It seems like a complicated set up, but I could see the advantage of not having a steel rod aiming at my face getting bounced off the frame in an accident. The ujoint I presume would deflect some of that.
3. I’ve seen many many kits with a lot of bits like new tie rods and ends. Can I not just attach the 80 series pitman arm to the stock steering hardware?
4. Any strong opinions on where to mount the 80 series pump? I haven’t found anyone with a definitive answer on this. Somewhere on the block I think, but hopefully w no new holes.
I appreciate your help getting a jump on this.
I’ve been lurking without an account for about a year now. I’m closing on a 78’ this Friday (introductory post to follow).
Out of the gate I’d like to upgrade the manual steering to powered. After poking around forums and FB marketplace, I’d like to go with the beefier 80 box and pump (over a 60). I’m committed to using as much Toyota DNA as possible (I’ll explain in my intro and build post, shortly). I’ll rebuild both the box and pump before I install them, so right now I’m just trying to find some without structural damage. Anyhow, I’m rambling. To the questions.
I’ve been combing through the FAQ and past threads on this topic but I haven’t found a straight answer on a couple of things.
1. With a custom bracket, can I mate the 80 box to the stock 40 steering shaft rag joint (on the 78), without any cutting or welding?
2. I’ve seen several builds where the 80 box is right behind the grill instead of mounted further back where the stock manual box usually goes (and where I plan on mounting mine, unless I’m convinced otherwise). In this case there is usually a long shaft mated with a u-joint to the steering column shaft (forgive me if I’m butchering nomenclature—still learning). Is this a safety thing? Is it more efficient? It seems like a complicated set up, but I could see the advantage of not having a steel rod aiming at my face getting bounced off the frame in an accident. The ujoint I presume would deflect some of that.
3. I’ve seen many many kits with a lot of bits like new tie rods and ends. Can I not just attach the 80 series pitman arm to the stock steering hardware?
4. Any strong opinions on where to mount the 80 series pump? I haven’t found anyone with a definitive answer on this. Somewhere on the block I think, but hopefully w no new holes.
I appreciate your help getting a jump on this.