Thanks Pablo. Appreciate the help. I thought the same thing but wanted to verify first...since it is coming a long way.
My Mini-truck Power Steering Install
- Thread starter Romer
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Question on pulley and bushing for ps conversion
Just got off the phone with [FONT="]Richards Co. in NJ. 800-929-2992.
The pulley they have is 5.25" as compared to the one that correlates with the Grainger pulley at 4.95". Anyone think 1/4" would matter on the size of the pulley, outside of a longer belt? Looking at my F engine, I cant see that it would. Also, their price as increased to 30 dollars for the pulley. 2 bits more for the bushing.
[/FONT]
Just got off the phone with [FONT="]Richards Co. in NJ. 800-929-2992.
The pulley they have is 5.25" as compared to the one that correlates with the Grainger pulley at 4.95". Anyone think 1/4" would matter on the size of the pulley, outside of a longer belt? Looking at my F engine, I cant see that it would. Also, their price as increased to 30 dollars for the pulley. 2 bits more for the bushing.
[/FONT]
Power.
Those holes in the second photo are for the fluid lines.
Those holes in the second photo are for the fluid lines.
Won't matter.
I prefer junkyard power steering pump pulleys, but they can be hard to find for our wide cruiser belts.
Thanks doghouse and cruisinGA. Ordered parts and just waiting for them to start coming.
I have 33's on my 6/72 FJ40 and have been researching the best solution for PS conversion. I found a guy locally to get the mini-truck PS box from so I have it in case I want to go that way, but not married to the idea yet. I had read that "the gearbox is not suited for large tires, the relay rod in the driver wheel well is retained and presents interference problems with shocks and tire clearance, it does not eliminate wear points meaning you still have to service two additional TRE's and the center arm". Can anybody else confirm or deny any of that? Just want to make sure I go about it the right way. If it's ok, and I need a cooler, is there a specific make I should look for?
Also, I am pretty tall and would really like to put in tilt and maybe even telescoping steering column. If I'm doing the PS conversion this is probably the right time to do it. Any suggestions on models? I'm not that concerned with staying Toyota, if that helps. Thanks!
Last edited:
good questions and well worth asking imho.
here's my $.02's worth. whenever a customer approaches me about a ps swap i always ask how the vehicle will be used and what size tire they plan on running. i also ask if they plan on going with even larger tires in the future.
a realistic max size for the mini truck ps swap are 33x10.50 size tires. anything taller or wider will cause interferrance issues/ sure, you can make it work but the sag ps swap would make a better choice.
a ps cooler is definetly a good way to keep things cool and get the most service life out of the system, including the pump and box.
as for the steering column, you can run a later fj40 unit, a gm column or one from ididit. i like the last option a lot. everything is new, easy to work with and the instructions and parts fit are great. but i have used all of the different options and they all have their place.
let me know if you have any questions or need any of the parts for the swap. i now carry everything for the mini truck ps swap and most of the parts for the sag swap.
hth
georg @ valley hybrids
Thanks for the advice!
I don't have any plans to go larger on the tires, but the ones I have now are 33x12.50. So would that be a problem with the mini truck swap? Obviously since I've got that box already would prefer to go that way but I want to make sure I do it right, I can always sell that box if it's the wrong way to go. Also, does it matter if I have a lift? I would love to go with one of the ididit columns but probably won't have the $$ for those, beautiful but pricey! I figure I need to figure out which swap I'm going to do, then I can start working out how/where to buy the parts. For the sag conversion, what year/model would I be looking for? If you have a parts/price list send me a PM, would love to keep as much of my business on iH8mud as possible!
33x12.50 is about the max size i'd recommend for the mini truck ps setup. the back spacing of the wheels will help make your decision. do you have the 33s on there right now? if so and there are no interferrance issues, then go for the mini swap. if the inside of the tire hits the relay rod, then i'd go for the sag swap.
let me know what you decide, i'll be happy to help.
georg @ valley hybrids
let me know what you decide, i'll be happy to help.
georg @ valley hybrids
So far no interference issues with the 33's on there now. Sounds like I should proceed with the mini swap. Thanks for the advice, this site is fantastic! I'll PM you for more info on parts, etc.
drill out
did you have to drill this mount area out to get those 3/8 through? I cant see any holes??
did you have to drill this mount area out to get those 3/8 through? I cant see any holes??
I have a question about the ididit columns, for the mini-truck swap, what length and what output shaft do I need to be looking for if I decided to splurge? You are right, those are some pretty nice columns, thinking it might be worth going that route than trying to find a way for one of the others to work somehow. I measured mine, looks like its about 35" long if I'm doing the measurement right but not sure what type output shaft is needed for the 79-85 mini truck box?
once you remove the 4 rivets and the factory steering box pedestal, you're left with 4 holes. my kit comes with metric hardware that fits perfect. no drilling required.
hth
georg @ valley hybrids
fwiw, i have never done the mini truck ps swap with an ididit column. the only possible issue i see would be the steering joint at the the ps box. the toyota boxes are metric ( diameter and pitch/count of splines ) which might pose a problem. however, these boxes have been used in early 50s ford pu ps conversions for yhears as well so there has to be a fairly simple solution to the possible problem. i can certainly find out for you.
as for the column itself, i guess you would have two options:
1) run the proper length column to allow just enough room for a steering joint @ the ps box
2) run a shorty column and then a steering shaft with a joint @ the column and one @ the ps box. similar setup we'd run on a sag conversion.
hth
georg @ valley hybrids
Thought I'd bring to life an old thread as I am looking to do this p/s upgrade possibly..
I have a 1970 cruiser with the old one piece column/gearbox..no rag joint..
1..What are my options here?
2..Can I somehow install a later column into the 1970 without any firewall alterations?
I have a 1970 cruiser with the old one piece column/gearbox..no rag joint..
1..What are my options here?
2..Can I somehow install a later column into the 1970 without any firewall alterations?
Not sure about this, but the Kit that JT sells talks about having the rag joint welded on to the old shaft. Never done it, but perhaps someone else can elaborate. Maybe call JT and see about some tech advice?
Bump out of nowhere on this thread. Anyone ever have to cut their drag link down doing this conversion?? I'm going to take another look at it tomorrow and will post some pictures, but I fiddled with it for some time today and I don't see any other way.
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2010
- Threads
- 115
- Messages
- 657
- Location
- Littleton, CO
- Website
- www.outerlimitsupply.com
No... I think you may have something wrong- possibly the wrong pitman? Post a picture