Due to driving in traffic in Houston I am seriously contemplating power steering. Any recommendations for how I should go about this? New unit/components or rebuild/salvage? Any recommendations for supplier? Toughts?
Due to driving in traffic in Houston I am seriously contemplating power steering. Any recommendations for how I should go about this? New unit/components or rebuild/salvage? Any recommendations for supplier? Toughts?
Let me help you refine your search. There are several ways to do powersteering, with Saginaw, FJ60 and Minitruck all being viable alternatives. Search on those terms. In my opinion, Saginaw is the easiest, most powerful and cheapest. The other alternatives are excellent as well.
Mini-truck steering looks the most stock, but (in my opinion) preserves too much of the original sloppy linkage.
FJ60 is the most trick, and you get bonus points for using Land Cruiser parts.
The nice part about Saginaw is that it uses standard parts available anywhere-for instance, you need a new powersteering gear box on Saturday at 5pm, any auto parts store will have what you need. The components are availble as rebuilds for cheap, and will work for years on your Cruiser. Become familiar with terms like "4 turn box" "Saginaw pump mounting bracket" and alternatives for the adapter plate you weld on the driverside front frame horn.
And I will recommend instead, 4x4 Labs to supply the adapter plate and frame strengthening plates you will need. It makes a clean steering conversion. That's what I used on my recent build. I have previously used the standard Warden style plate adapter that works great, but isn't quite as refined.
One thing to consider-a 1983 FJ40 is a rare bird. Very few were imported to the USA. If it's in excellent perfect shape otherwise, you will lower it's value with any steering conversion (not it's utility, it's value). If that is the case, I would look for real FJ40 power steering components that came on a few of the later trucks.
If it's just an average 40 with 24 years of dings and dents, then Saginaw steering will suit you very well.
She was retored by TLC (California) in 2000. The PO only put 15K miles on it over past 7 years. I am a proud owner of a car that looks like it rolled off the showroom floor less than a year ago....a few minor scratches. Definetly a city ride for going to the brewery. Boy does she drink gas...makes my F150 look like a fuel efficient machine. I suspect I will be in the maket for another land cruiser if I get the bug to have a topless model to roll around in the mud.
Based on your suggestion I will go with Toyota parts if I can find them. Thanks! I willpost pictures soon.
You also get a fj40 power steering casing and locate a 1982-85 4x4 toyota pick ps gear box as a donor. This will give you the factory set up they oringally came out with. I would stay away from the earlier years they tend to have a smaller output return line. The 1985 has the same size diameter fitting for the return and pressure lines. If you are running bigger than33's you considering not going this route. With 33's you will be hitting the steering linkage on the drivers side. Anyhow, You will be able to bolt up a ps pump from a fj60 regardless what you decide on which system you choose to install. I would also look into a cooler. Don't use a tranny cooler if it has restrictors may effect the performance. I perfer the fj60 or the saginaw route myself.....this is just my opinion.
Welding, mechanical and fabrication skills or availability of such is a decision maker also... mini truck would be the easiest and good enough for driving around Houston..
