power steering

[jumbo]

Hi , is there any one on this site who lives in bunbury WA , who has done a power steering conversion , 60 series to a 1981 hj 47, would love to have a look and maybe pick your brain to get a few tips.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Feistl]

Hey mate,

Not in WA but in Australia (So RHD)...

Have a fair bit of information in my build thread here...

Errols FJ40 Build x4

(Post 13 if the link doesn't automatically take you there).

Happy to answer any questions and can potentially help you out with parts as well.

Cheers

 

[David70FJ40]

I recently completed a power steering conversion in my '70 40 using a FJ60 gear box and Saginaw pump. The 40 drives like a completely different vehicle and I am pleased with the results. If you are interested I can provide photos of the completed project and give you advice as to where to stay away from buying the parts. I was overcharged, dollared to death and sent some parts that should have been junked and never sent out .

 

[x463]

I'd highly recommend you consider going with an electric power steering unit. Search the forum for more info. I built my unit and @Racer65 sells bolt-in units. The system works really well. No modifying the frame, hacking things up, no more belts/accessories on the engine, no additional hoses/fluids, and easily reversible. It's also adjustable or easily turned off completely. Mine is set on very low assist w/ stock suspension and 30" MT tires - can be turned up for bigger tires just by twisting a knob on the dash.

 

[Downey]

x463's "positives" with electric power steering are well presented, yet the big "negative" remains that you are still retaining all the extra middle-men/moving parts between the steering wheel and right front tire that would have been eliminated with a Saginaw conversion. Very good pros and cons either way.

 

[David70FJ40]

Not to mention using a worn steering box. Mine had about 4" of play before any action with the steering happened. I was aiming the 40 more than driving and it was dangerous.

 

[x463]

Good points - step 1 is to repair/rebuild any worn components. Before doing anything, electric or conventional, this has to be done. The rest of my steering was completely rebuilt before I even started. If I didn't live in a big city with tight street parking I probably wouldn't have even done the EPS. After a couple times parallel parking in tight spaces and the girlfriend trying to drive it - power steering became a must. Once beyond rolling speed it isn't needed at all on a correctly functioning system.

 

[Downey]

I only hope you don't have to spend more trying to correct your stock steering than a Saginaw conversion would have cost

 

[x463]

and don't do a Saginaw conversion with old used worn out parts

 

[Downey]

and don't do a Saginaw conversion with old used worn out parts

The real deal would be to have AGR build you a "dual stage" Saginaw box, all stainless steel internals, but without their 1500 psi components (use stock 800 psi to 1,000 psi components)