RHD Steering Box Options?

[bagh33ra]

This has been covered somewhat briefly from what I could ascertain from search, so I thought I would try to bring the info together in case it helps others.

Currently, my steering gear box is in pretty sad shape, and I am looking for options more palatable than hoping I can find a straight replacement. The truck in question is a 1982 RHD BJ-42 (AUS/NZ) with factory PS.

We'll start with the long term options first:

$OR lists replacement RHD steering gear boxes as a special order item, but when I called a few months ago they didn't have much hope of getting one.

This leaves a rebuild option, but searching for kits for the RHD boxes has left me wanting, although I haven't exhausted suppliers outside the US just yet. Alternatively I could attempt to find a local (Northern CA) shop that rebuilds these types of parts (probably $$$).

Then there is the "Saginaw" option mentioned in this thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-seri...-lhd-power-steering-parts-used-rhd-bj40s.html

Extremely helpful highlights from Downey:

Had you been considering a Saginaw P.S. conversion, you probably could use a GM Pickup/Truck gear box that is mounted outside the frame (in the left front wheel well, drivers side on LH drive vehicles). It then could be mounted to the inside of the RH frame rail using almost all of the other Saginaw steerting conversion parts already on the market.

I have not done a RH drive Saginaw swap, but I imagine you could use our:
(a) frame inclosure
(b) steering drive shaft with u-joints
(c) firewall anchor plate
(d) pitman arm
(e) tie rod and rod end
(f) p.s. hose kit
Although I'm not crazy about the BTB gear box mounting plate, I think it might work for this RH application?????. I agree that the gear box you will need should be a full sized Chevy pickup or stake bed sized truck (not S-10, they are like the passenger car boxes).

Tobash, click onto www.downeyoff-road.com, then click onto Chassis, then click onto Saginaw Steering, then scroll down to FJ40 P.S., look at:
#52110
#32430, 32436, or 32836
#45264
#99416
#45451
#44416-FM

It appears that any long term, full fix solution is going to be on the order of $1K (+/-) for either the replacement box, the rebuild labor and parts, or the conversion.

In the short term, I need to handle the small leak that appears to be from the upper o-ring on the box, where the shaft that couples to the steering wheel shaft enters the box. Naturally, I can find the o-ring (and even a full gasket kit) for the LHD box, and I am assuming that they are not interchangeable with RHD ones. Is that assumption correct?

Any tips, advice, personal experiences, or parts source tips appreciated. Sorry for the lack of direct questions; hopefully this will turn into a decent reference for other folks with aging RHD steering setups.

 

[vk7ybi]

Apparently Hilux/Minitruck PS parts can be installed into a 40 PS housing, so maybe a rebuild kid for one of those will work?

 

[grant5127]

Seal kits are the same for L & R boxes............ you could go with FJ60 RHD box conversion......

 

[bagh33ra]

Seal kits are the same for L & R boxes............ you could go with FJ60 RHD box conversion......

Thanks, that answers the shorter term/less expensive question.

This is your thread on the 60 box conversion, right?

https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-24-volts-systems/137681-2h-p-s-install.html

Can you elaborate a little more on the box install and linkage setup? Any advantages to the 60 series gear box vs the 40 series one?

 

[bagh33ra]

Just in case it will help anyone in the future, SOR apparently has them more often than their website would suggest. Installing the rebuilt one from them pretty soon. Spendy, but the simplest solution.

 

[24vRHD]

Just go with it?

So I have been reading around on the threads about RHD steering boxes. I have a 1980 BJ-40 from NZ that is RHD no PS. Its back in the states and doing fine, only 150k km on it. The steering is a bit loose. I mean if I am going 60mph on the interstate it takes a bit of focus, but I can still drink a coke, its not white knuckle driving. When I first got it in NZ I took it to a mechanic and he tried to tighten the steering box but it became too stiff so we left it as is.

I am wondering if this just comes with the territory and I should be happy with what I've got or if its worth trying to chase down a refurbished steering box. Just concerned that perhaps that won't be any better.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[bad_religion_au]

Thanks, that answers the shorter term/less expensive question.

This is your thread on the 60 box conversion, right?

https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-24-volts-systems/137681-2h-p-s-install.html

Can you elaborate a little more on the box install and linkage setup? Any advantages to the 60 series gear box vs the 40 series one?

Box goes on the outside of the frame, with the pitman arm sitting roughly in line with where the relay box is now. pitman arm goes to a drag link to near the LHS knuckle on the tie rod. drill the bolt pattern through both sides of the frame, long high tensile bolt through each one with a crush tube on each bolt to prevent squashing the frame rails together, and a plate on the other side of the chassis to spread the load.

advantages - less turns lock to lock, powerful steering box compared to the 40 one. less linkages means less play in the steering, and you eliminate the relay rod running down the frame, which gets hit by tires bigger than 33.

easy swap.

 

[havageez]

Gday, I'm installing a 60 series power steering box on my 78 fj45 at the moment, im scratching my head bad with what's going on at the moment, the wheels turn in the opposite direction from what the input shaft is turning. If I'm turning left on the input shaft the pitman arm is turning right. I'll attach a pic of my current set up.