Saginaw Shopping List

[BeratE]

Thanks, almost forgot a cooler. I assumer that goes on the low pressure return side. Have you found very functional, but inexpensive connectors, or is this just a hose and hose clamp situation? How about connectors for the high pressure side; all the steering gears seem to come without connectors?
Thanks

 

[fj40forlife]

plates i got from orangefj45
steering box from ebay
pump from junk yard
pump mount from man a fre
cooler from man a fre
steering shaft from downey
tie rod from downey
suppurt bearing from kurt

 

[BBQ BOY]

But how does a Saginaw work with a winch? I thought I read where the winch and the power steering interfere with each other.

 

[fj40forlife]

what kinda winch?

 

[BBQ BOY]

I was thinking about the Warn 9.5XP

 

[mattstoy]

All this info is great! I was not aware of the cooler. Where is everyone mounting theirs? Is the cooler only needed for serious offroading? I will be wheeling mine but only on occasion. I am surprised that the fluid get hot enough to need a cooler.

 

[mcwinery]

When should I add Power steering?

I am starting the build up soon on my 69 fj40. Was planning to do everything back to original. Would you recommend Power steering conversion as I go or wait and see? Are there any other must have conversions I should do as I go? (brakes, axel, ps etc...) I was thinking get to original and see what I dont like or what doesn't work well.

George

 

[orangefj45]

All this info is great! I was not aware of the cooler. Where is everyone mounting theirs? Is the cooler only needed for serious offroading? I will be wheeling mine but only on occasion. I am surprised that the fluid get hot enough to need a cooler.

the sag steering conversion will work with most winches; the 8274 "stand-up" style winch will work with no mods at all. the "inline" winches will need to be mounted above the frame rails ( usual location ) but smometimes require to be spaced up about an inch to clear the ps box.

a cooler is recommended no matter what. you're dealing with a hydraulic pump so you're gonna generate heat. heat is the #1 cause for fluid and pump failure. the cooler the pump, box and fluid stay, the longer they should last.
i usually mount the coolers in front of the radiator. they get plumbed into the return line between the box and pump. make sure you use the proper soft line; fuel line is NOT the right hose; you'll want transmission or ps hose along with some good hose clamps.
when mounting the cooler, do NOT use the "zip-tie" thingies they supply with the cooler kit. they work fine for a short time and they're easy to sinatll but prolonged use in an offroad situation or even street usage will over time cause the zip-ties to cut into the rad core due to all the bouncing around and vibration. i usually get some 1/8" x 1" bar stock and make two horizontal strutts. i dill and bolt the strutts to the rad support and then bolt the cooler to the strutts.
also, wherever the cooler hose is exposed to a sharp edge, envelope it in some larger fuel or cooler hose so the ps hose can't get cut or chafed.


lemme know if you have any other questions.

georg @ valley hybrids

 

[orangefj45]

I am starting the build up soon on my 69 fj40. Was planning to do everything back to original. Would you recommend Power steering conversion as I go or wait and see? Are there any other must have conversions I should do as I go? (brakes, axel, ps etc...) I was thinking get to original and see what I dont like or what doesn't work well.

George

hey george.
welcome to the club! i see you're up in napa. there's a great cruiser-shop near you; mudraks. you should definetly take your cruiser there if you have'nt already. gary, the owner, is a great guy and does excellent work. i learned a lot from him..........
i bet he'll tell you that the two biggest improvements you can make to a cruiser of your vintage are power steering and disc brakes in the front. and i completely agree with him; sop do many others on here.
the disc brake conversion for the front axle is just about a must and will make the biggest difference as far as driveability goes. it's also not super expensive and a lot less maintenance than the factory drum brakes. nevermind that they work much better when they're wet......

power steering conversions are a little more intrusive and cost a little more, but they do make a cruiser a lot more fun to drive around town and on the trail. if you're doing a 100% resto, then ps is up to you. some purists will frown upon it. but it's your rig so do what you want to do, don't build it to please somebody else.

if you ever come down to stockton, look me up. i run a cruiser-only shop here in town.

georg @ valley hybrids