- Thread starter
- #21
Egads, why don’t I just get a crimp coupler and cut the hose I already have in half and reseat it so that the thing is actually all facing the right direction for a good straight fit?
need help troubleshooting FJ 40/mini truck power steering upgrade
- Thread starter topsljack
- Start date
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I would figure out all your angles and fitting and have a hydraulic shop make you a hose. This is too mission-critical to cobble it on your own. (Not insulting you - it's just that good shops have far better equipment and knowledge than any of likely have). You don't want this thing popping apart very often.
Parker Hydraulics and some Napas can do this while you wait.
- Thread starter
- #24
You have a point, and looking it up I noticed that there’s actually a hydraulic hose shop near my work. I’m gonna check them out on Monday!
Make sure to ask them how much before they start, I was shocked a few weeks ago when I had two oil lines built. My parker carries a lot of BSPT fittings and adaptors.
You can get the fittings and the hose from them, go home and make sure everything is what you want, mark the hose and the orientation on the fittings and then bring it back for the final crimps.
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- #26
I went to Mesa Hose in Costa Mesa, and they cut the ends off my old (actually new but not well fitting) hose and made a new hose with swivel ends. Thing is absolutely gorgeous; the crimps are way higher quality too! I’ll go install this thing today and report back!
- Thread starter
- #27
Okay y’all!
Got the hose installed, did a bleed process, tightened everything and it seems to be working! I said that the last time too and after a day the fluid was burned and the pressure hose had exploded, so hopefully things will be better on this run. I love the positioning of the more traditional gearbox compared to the cheaper one I had bought off Ebay; the new one helps keep the hoses further away from the exhaust manifold, which is nice. Pump is I think a much better one than I got from JT Outfitters originally. The new hose is definitely better than the JTOutfitter unit. I’ll run it through the paces tomorrow and report back.
Thanks everyone for all the help so far, y’all are invaluable!
Got the hose installed, did a bleed process, tightened everything and it seems to be working! I said that the last time too and after a day the fluid was burned and the pressure hose had exploded, so hopefully things will be better on this run. I love the positioning of the more traditional gearbox compared to the cheaper one I had bought off Ebay; the new one helps keep the hoses further away from the exhaust manifold, which is nice. Pump is I think a much better one than I got from JT Outfitters originally. The new hose is definitely better than the JTOutfitter unit. I’ll run it through the paces tomorrow and report back.
Thanks everyone for all the help so far, y’all are invaluable!
Sound like you are on your way.
I have converted several fj40s using the same power steering gearbox you used, 4rrunner/4X4. However, I used a fj40 casing and used the 4x4 truck ps portion as the donor. The fj40 geometry is different than the 4runner or 4x4 hence the pedestal some people use. You really want add a cooler if your does not already have one. The oem one sits below the radiator. I cheated on one mod and used a unrestricted one from a after market cooler made for a transmission. You have to make its not restricted. I also reused a cooler from a fj60. It will not fit as is but if you are lucky it can be rebent to fit the fj40. Its not easy but can be done. Also if anyone else wants to do this try to get the latter years as ps donor. The early one like 79..to maybe 81 have a different size diameter for the return line.. if remember correctly. I try to get them 83-85 4x4, solid axle as a donor to make sure. But I'm noticing some vendors will list them from 79-85 as being the same. Maybe they are but if it's original to a 79 4x4 truck it's not. Maybe maybe the bore piston are not the same...im not sure but the line sizes not the same. Anyhow, Once installed with the engine off or running I basically turn the steering all the way and turn it back all the way to other direction to get the air out. Did it several times. If the ps fluid get too hot it will bubble up and introduce air to ps power system and cause the ps system loose power. Hope this helps.
I have converted several fj40s using the same power steering gearbox you used, 4rrunner/4X4. However, I used a fj40 casing and used the 4x4 truck ps portion as the donor. The fj40 geometry is different than the 4runner or 4x4 hence the pedestal some people use. You really want add a cooler if your does not already have one. The oem one sits below the radiator. I cheated on one mod and used a unrestricted one from a after market cooler made for a transmission. You have to make its not restricted. I also reused a cooler from a fj60. It will not fit as is but if you are lucky it can be rebent to fit the fj40. Its not easy but can be done. Also if anyone else wants to do this try to get the latter years as ps donor. The early one like 79..to maybe 81 have a different size diameter for the return line.. if remember correctly. I try to get them 83-85 4x4, solid axle as a donor to make sure. But I'm noticing some vendors will list them from 79-85 as being the same. Maybe they are but if it's original to a 79 4x4 truck it's not. Maybe maybe the bore piston are not the same...im not sure but the line sizes not the same. Anyhow, Once installed with the engine off or running I basically turn the steering all the way and turn it back all the way to other direction to get the air out. Did it several times. If the ps fluid get too hot it will bubble up and introduce air to ps power system and cause the ps system loose power. Hope this helps.
Engineer8000
SILVER Star
The 79 mini truck box is different, it takes the smaller return fitting.
- Thread starter
- #31
Hi! Yeah, tt’s designed after Sabine’s TIE fighter from Rebels. My wife & I do charity visits through the 501st and Rebel Legions, so this FJ has become our “trooping” vehicle. Goes to a lot of parades and con-floor visits, haha:
- Thread starter
- #32
Took the ‘40 on some heavy traffic in hot weather driving today; it’s first real test. The last gearbox/pump setup had the fluid burning and the plastic dip-stick pitting with heat-melt after a day of driving like this. I still an not entirely sure if that was because of the pump having a bad relief valve or the gearbox not having been bled properly or even the terrible pressure hose situation (maybe all three).
Now with the new pump, different box, a custom hose and a cooler, it all is working like a charm!! As I get older, moving from manual to power steering has been something I’ve been thinking about for awhile. You all have been an enormous help, thank you!!!
Question to the group: Do I toss or sell the original manual box? I suppose I can clean it up and post it for someone who wants it for a rebuild?
Now with the new pump, different box, a custom hose and a cooler, it all is working like a charm!! As I get older, moving from manual to power steering has been something I’ve been thinking about for awhile. You all have been an enormous help, thank you!!!
Question to the group: Do I toss or sell the original manual box? I suppose I can clean it up and post it for someone who wants it for a rebuild?
Someone can use that box- they aren't making a lot of these parts so one man's junk is another's rusty greasy gold.
Someone might need the core
Sorry for brining up this old post but do you remember what gear box you used. I am having a hard time finding one. Thank you