What are your thoughts? My limits? Want to take my 69 '40 with 33s offroad. Nothing crazy, Rouche Creek or Arthritic park in PA.
Offroad without power steering
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Michael B
SILVER Star
It shouldnt be too bad as long as you don't have a locked front axle.
You will be fine. I was just at Rausch Creek last week. Plenty of trails for.
reddingcruiser
Practicing for retirement
Definitely old school! But, that's the way it used to be. My first trips over the Rubicon were done with that exact combo.
1911
chupacabra
Been driving mine off-road for 9 years with 33's and no power steering; yeah there's a few times when turning sharp at crawl speed is a workout, but overall not a big deal. A ton of people like power steering; personally I see no reason to spend the money; YMMV.
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I'm gonna install arb in the rear. I have an arb in my 80 rear and like it.
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Certainly easier with power steering but not really necessary with 33's. I have been offroading my 40 since '88 without PS with no issues. Just keep your fingers outside of the wheel spokes in case the wheel spins. I've been on the Rubicon multiple times, the Dusy-Ershim, as well as many trails in the southwest and survived. My 98 pound wife has no problem driving without PS... I guess I found plenty of other things to modify before PS, like lower gears, lockers, rear disks. etc... I have power steering, unfortunately it has been sitting on my garage floor for at least 5 years...
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You can do it the easy way or the hard way.
The hard way is to treat the steering as a discrete operation. The easy way is to use the clutch and trans as an integral part of the operation.
If you master manual steering, you will have a much better understanding of your clutch and trans than most.
The hard way is to treat the steering as a discrete operation. The easy way is to use the clutch and trans as an integral part of the operation.
If you master manual steering, you will have a much better understanding of your clutch and trans than most.
All young kids should have manual steering and never inflate their tires over 12lbs....It will stop them from texting or calling while driving
Please explain in more detail Jedi Master Mark!
I bought my FJ40 in 1973. From that time till mid 80's all my off roading was sans power steering. I did have dampener but with the stock clipper ship stern wheel it wasn't bad. Around 86 I put in P/S and a 71 Caddy tilt/telescoping wheel. I was doing a lot of long distance highway driving and it made the drives a lot easier. When I did get off road their was a marked difference, especially when sitting still in really rough spots and I wanted those bigass tires to point the opposite direction they wanted to go. I am 70 y/o and wouldn't have it any other way now.
Drove my 81 and 82 bj60s all over prairie bad lands and mountain forest trails in BC. You do learn to use momentum etc to aid steering. You learn to keep your thumbs out toor break m off. Ran 33 TSL Super Swampers. And my non power steering NEVER let me down
mind your elbows (center console dependent) and your thumbs and have fun!
reddingcruiser
Practicing for retirement
Yeah, watch the thumbs!
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The way I describe my first encounter with a rock off road and manual steering in my 40 was like watching the ship's wheel on Gilligan's Island. 
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Great. Thanks guys. I've driven her for years without power steering with no issues on pavement and fire roads, just never anything more. Figured I'd be okay, but I needed a push. Time to order a rear locker and skid plate!
Been wrestling this beast around the rockies for years ,you can do it.
