Manual vs. Power Steering Pros and Cons

[SUUEEET]

I currently have an 88'FJ62 w/ power steering. In my attempt to create a mechanical cruiser I have converted the electric windows to manual, and would like to convert to manual steering. I understand that on the trails power is best, but this is a family camping rig that at its worst might see some desolate fire roads on BLM land.

I like the simplicity of mechanical, but would like to hear what others say. A broken PS pump, hose, etc. miles from home would not be good. On a side note, what manual steering box would work the best on this rig? I probably could trade straight across for someone with a manual for my power steering box I suppose.

 

[saucebox]

I think I'd probably stick with the power steering, and just make sure regular maintenance is performed.

I nearly got stuck yesterday, because my PS is blown. My front tires slipped into a rut (not a forest service road, but not very far different) and I could barely back out. Makes turning/etc. much harder without power.

If your power steering fails while you're out, you'll have manual steering anyway (but still have enjoyed the benefit of power all of the rest of the time). Look into a West Texas rebuild of the steering box and the Sag pump conversion. You'll end up with a system that will almost never fail (and, in the case of the Sag pump, is very cheap to replace/repair). Also, shouldn't cost that much at the outset ($250?).

 

[Lost]

power steering is still mechanical

 

[RockDoc]

Do you like having thumbs?

 

[rsbcruiser]

While I like the way you are thinking I weigh in on the side of keeping your power steering. My manual steering wagon is difficult to negotiate in tight spots that are seen every day such as parking lots. My wife refuses to drive the thing because of this. The rig won't react to steering inputs as quickly and you will be forced to adapt your driving style to accommodate the manual steering. There is truth in Rock Docs' statement, your thumbs will be in danger in certain situations.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

manual steering and power steering that no longer has the power are two verry different things. if you loose power steering it will be very difficult to steer, a manual steering box isnt that hard to turn.

personally I would keep the power steering just cause it has it, but my 40 with manual steering is pretty simple to turn (yes i know it is lighter but that isnt going to make a huge difference) even on rough terrain it still isnt horrible, tougher for sure and in the rocks it wouldnt be a whole lot of fun for very long. but for what you want i think you will be fine.

I will have my 60 at tonights meeting but next month ill likely have the 42 and ill let you drive it if you want an idea of the steering.

 

[rusty_tlc]

While broken PS is not the same as manual steering it will work well enough to get you off the trail. Just eat your spinach because you will have Popeye arms at the end of the day.

IMHO power steering is one of the more robust systems on any vehicle.

 

[Tapage]

dude .. are you sure .. I won't see any way to drive any of my cruisers without PS ..

 

[Mark W]

Is this question for real? Maintain your rig to any sort of realistic standards and forget this silly idea.


Mark...

 

[Cruzerman]

PS is still the best thing I ever added to my '78 FJ40. He-man himself couldn't turn the steering wheel when that thing found a rut or a variety of obstacles once you left the pavement. It flat out sucked. PS is awesome and extremely reliable with extremely little to maintain. Intentionally removing it is insanity.

 

[rusty_tlc]

PS is still the best thing I ever added to my '78 FJ40. .......

Agreed, followed closely by front disk brake conversion as the best mod I ever did on my 40. I'll probably do the rear disk conversion on both the FJ60 and the FJ40 eventually.

 

[Theecomer]

Not very long ago, I developed a leak in my power steering cooling line. I didn't get it fixed right away, instead I would simply top off the steering fluid reservoir and hit the road. Sometimes I would forget to bring fluid with me or not have any more. The fluid would completely leak from the power steering system rendering it totally useless. I have to tell you, it was amazingly difficult to manage steering in this truck without power assistance. Things you take for granted like parallel parking, going through restaurant drive throughs, going around corners from a complete stop at a stoplight/stop sign, and pulling into your driveway are immense tasks of strength. This is no exaggeration. Very, very difficult.

 

[kmf88]

i have an 88 62 and the power steering went out a while ago. its brutal. unless you keep it on the road...then its not that bad, untill you need to parallell park or turn around in a tight place. if you take it off road at all keep the ps trust me!

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Guys, as Cruisin noted true manual steering and inoperable power steering are two different animals. They do not compare at all.
I also do not see the benefits outweighing the effort or expense, for what it's worth.

 

[rove_mcanus]

I can understand wanting simplicity for reliability, but remember these are toyota landcruisers. They are many decades old and are proven reliable

Even with all the electronic gismos they are still very reliable trucks.

The sub fuel tank system in my 80 series has it's own computer to control a task as simple as pumping fuel from one tank to another. It has sensors, and even logs fault codes like an engine ecu. Yet amazingly this system will outlast the life of the engine.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

Guys, as Cruisin noted true manual steering and inoperable power steering are two different animals. They do not compare at all.
I also do not see the benefits outweighing the effort or expense, for what it's worth.

exactly

 

[cruiser88]

correct. A manual box is not as bad as a power steering system that has gone bad however in my early days I drove cruisers for years without power steering and it wasnt that bad but I was strong and wasnt doing that much rock crawling. If you wheel and you like keeping your arms stick with power steering. My dad broke an arm in his steering wheel.

Guys, as Cruisin noted true manual steering and inoperable power steering are two different animals. They do not compare at all.
I also do not see the benefits outweighing the effort or expense, for what it's worth.

 

[Matt16]

I wonder if the manual steering trucks have less caster in the front axle, that would make it easier to steer at the cost of some straight-line stability. The steering ratio is also probably different from manual to power.

That said, you should have no problems limping the truck home if the power steering went. Find some gentle hill, put the tranny in neutral, turn the motor off sometime and coast- that will give you some idea of failed power steering.

That said, no way would I give up powersteering, manual is hard work in parking lots and the PS system is not something that lots of guys have failing suddenly if at all.

 

[Kynot62]

I drove a 3/4 ford F-250 with a manual steering box for twelve years. You get used to it, just like most guys are used to power. It takes a slightly different mindset to use a manual steering box. You do a lot of thinking ahead about where you want to put the front wheels.

The steering wheel above a manual box is also larger. My BJ with a manual box has a factory 17 inch wheel. The donor rig with power steering we got a lot of body parts off has only a 16 inch wheel.

Tire size affects manual steering far more than a power set up. I run skinny tires.

They both work. Best of luck.

Tony

 

[brett76]

hit a bump with your power steering out and it damn near rips your arm out of socket