Replacing Steering Rag Joint with Solid U-Joint - Need Advice Please!!!

[jralph125]

Hello all,
I know this topic has been addressed in many forms in the past. I have a 79 FJ40 with a manual stock steering box. Now I also know from some other responses to my questions that these vehicles are more revered for their off-road capabilities and not their highway ride and control. This being said what is the "typical" way to give the steering on these vehicles a more confident feel of control? Mine isn't too bad but it tends to wander a bit at higher speeds. I contacted Borgeson directly but they only carry steering joints for domestic vehicles. I had a 73 Scout 2 with similar issues, when I replaced the rag joint with a solid u-joint it made a tremendous improvement. I am aware of the Saginaw conversion but was wondering if there is a quicker and simpler fix (and cheaper) solution for this problem? Suggestions appreciated, I'm new to the FJ40 world. Seeing as though this has been such a common issue for so long and these vehicles are sooo popular these days, I was surprised to find out it was so difficult to find a solid u-joint for the stock boxes on the 40's. Thank you all!!!

 

[447xpro]

Start with the center arm and tie rod ends, eliminate play there then adjust the steering box. A saginaw or FJ60 power steering conversion are commitments and will negatively affect the value of your truck. An OEM power steering conversion will add value to your truck but will not help with the play in front end. A solid Ujoint will not help the wander of your truck.

 

[jralph125]

Good point on the value argument, I didn't think about that part. Everything underneath seems to be pretty tight, what I am experiencing is more of a "wander" rather that a "play" feeling. What about steering stabilizer? Thank you

 

[B y r o n]

You didn't mention if you have a lift or what tire size you're running. Along with loose parts and alignment they all contribute to loose handling.

 

[greenbeasty]

I would start with a TRE kit, rebuild the center box, and tighten steering box, then alignment at an old school shop. Your tires could also contribute to wander.

 

[iptman]

I replaced all the rod ends, rebuilt the center arm and replaced the rag joint, got an alignment and my truck is tight and true on the road. Cruiser Outfitters,
@cruiseroutfit can hook you up with good quality aftermarket parts for all of these.

 

[65swb45]

If the rag joint is actually making ANY difference in the equation, replacing it with a new one will eliminate it from further consideration.

Assuming you are right handed, just squat next to your driver's fnder wheile holding onto the rag joint. Then slowly rotate it while you observe the pitman arm on your steering box.

Report back.

Best

Mark

www.marksoffroad.tripod.com

 

[Mr Cimarron]

I just went through this on my 77. It wandered a lot at highway speed, cruising at 55, and alway had to fight it a bit during braking. I thought it was all in my steering which has a lot of play at the manual box. After front axle rebuild, with 60 series knuckles and discs, new TREs, and caster shims it rides 100% better. I still need to rebuild steering arm but I am debated doing that because I will be adding an 80 series PS box and redoing the whole front end steering linkage at st point.

 

[jralph125]

You didn't mention if you have a lift or what tire size you're running. Along with loose parts and alignment they all contribute to loose handling.

Sorry about that, Yes I do have a lift...not sure of the actual lift as I just got the vehicle but if I had to guess it looks around 3 1/2 or so with 33 BFG'S

 

[jralph125]

If the rag joint is actually making ANY difference in the equation, replacing it with a new one will eliminate it from further consideration.

Assuming you are right handed, just squat next to your driver's fnder wheile holding onto the rag joint. Then slowly rotate it while you observe the pitman arm on your steering box.

Report back.

Best

Mark

www.marksoffroad.tripod.com

I will do that and report back, thank you

 

[jralph125]

Thank you all so much for this valuable feedback, I will work through some of these ideas and report back. You guys rock!

 

[65swb45]

Thank you all so much for this valuable feedback, I will work through some of these ideas and report back. You guys rock!

That's what the 'like' button is for.

 

[sadam_husain]

Its unlikely to make a significant difference but changing to a universal joint effectively creates a fixed connection between the frame mounted steering box and the body and doesn't allow for the flex and movement between the frame and body that the rag joint does

 

[Downey]

I never owned an FJ40 that was NEW enough to have a rag joint, and/or if I did it was converted to Saginaw instantly, so I don't know if the vehicles that came with rag joints also had a slip fitting built into the steering drive shaft?? If not, difference in length between steering wheel and gear box due to flex in the frame must be accounted for in the rag joint. What we do know is with frame flex there needs to be over 3/8" travel in the steering drive shaft to allow for at least 3/8" travel that we know about (we tested this). Sooooo, if your steering drive shaft does not have a built-in slip yoke/joint, do not install a rigid rag joint!!!!!!!!!

 

[Coastline]

It is my understanding that the rag joint is supposed to absorb shock before it rattles your hands and arms apart. I replaced the manual steering box on my 77 with a mini truck power steering and added U-joints in place of the rag joint. Wonderful on and off road. 11,000 miles.

 

[65swb45]

I saw a solid-linked 40 off road that pulled the lower ujoint out of the steering box. Put an immediate end to forward motion. Had to loosen firewall mount and dashboard support to pull column back and reset column to box.

One of many reasons ujointed columns SHOULD have telescoping intermediate shafts.

 

[cult45]

I saw a solid-linked 40 off road that pulled the lower ujoint out of the steering box. Put an immediate end to forward motion. Had to loosen firewall mount and dashboard support to pull column back and reset column to box.

One of many reasons ujointed columns SHOULD have telescoping intermediate shafts.

Also because they can collapse when needed.

 

[jralph125]

Just a quick side note here: Can someone please tell me what this does? There is a black tube hooked up to an electric fan motor of some type attached to the back of the louvered vent on the drivers side of my 40. I'm not clear what it does, I looked up some other photos of FJ40 engine bays and didn't see another one yet. I've circled it in red here, I'm baffled
Thanks

 

[SNG]

Just a quick side note here: Can someone please tell me what this does? There is a black tube hooked up to an electric fan motor of some type attached to the back of the louvered vent on the drivers side of my 40. I'm not clear what it does, I looked up some other photos of FJ40 engine bays and didn't see another one yet. I've circled it in red here, I'm baffled
Thanks

View attachment 1375177

It is a fan to keep the carburetor cool.

 

[iptman]

It will only click on after you turn the engine off and if it's over a certain temperature. Search "carb cooling fan" for additional info and troubleshooting steps if yours isn't working.