SC FJ40 power steering

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B777

B777

Joined
Oct 15, 2020
Threads
2
Messages
11
Location
south carolina
I have a problem with overheating of the power steering box on a new to me 1970 FJ40. The steering box is aftermarket because the wheel well has been trimmed. The FJ has a SB350 motor and the header is just a few inches from the box. There is a thin metal heat shield which seems ineffective. When the engine is hot, the steering becomes extremely stiff. I would think the box would be positioned closer to the front axle, further from the engine. Maybe it’s a steering setup for a 6 cylinder engine so there would be clearance from the heat. Any ideas from the crowd? I’m thinking it should be moved. Thanks for any input.

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It's at a stk location. Looking at the mount the box could be a mini truck box or something like that. Other folks would know. If you had the 6cyldr you wouldn't have problem. You could try a p/s cooler. You need to get that hose away from the exhaust. It might be helpful a little bit. Moving that box is probably not going to work. There are other p/s setups but they take different components and locations.
 
It definitely looks like a ‘79-‘85 mini truck box on what appears to be a very sub quality homemade mount. Me personally but I wouldn’t drive around on that. Steering (and brakes) are two systems that need to be very solid and trustworthy. Angle iron cobbled together by an unknown welder and bolted through the frame (not factory riveted) is far from that.

IMO, a GM Saginaw box is the way to go if you want PS on a 40, especially if you’ve already got a V8.

Luke at 4x4Labs makes a very good frame boxing mount kit
 
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Whoever did that installation is guilty of mechanical malpractice!

I agree with the above comments. For your own safety, and the safety of any passengers, please get that situation corrected ASAP.

Maybe 10-15 years ago there was a website called scarysteering.com. The fellow who owned the website had photos of poorly designed and/or poorly installed steering systems/modifications. He would then add his comments, which were never complimentary and usually sarcastic.

There were many worse than yours, but I think it's ugly enough to have qualified for inclusion.
 
If you decide to go with a better PS box, consider the Scout II Saginaw/Fj-60/fj80 type boxes. There is a ton of info here for the mods and they don't require butchering the front crossmember. Lots of other benefits over the traditional Saginaw conversions.
 
I think it’s hardly fair to say that the 4x4Labs Saginaw kit involves “butchering” the crossmember. Whatever you do, be wise about it and don’t cut corners when it comes to anything related to the steering system.

This is the crossmember piece, installed correctly, from the 4x4Labs kit. No torches allowed, just a sharp hole saw and a high speed carbide.


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Steering (and brakes) are two systems that need to be very solid and trustworthy. Angle iron cobbled together by an unknown welder and bolted through the frame (not factory riveted) is far from that.

Many people have used mini truck steering box mounts like this for years (they were sold commercially), and we have not all careened into an oncoming minivan and burst into flames when they failed....

Like all modifications, including Saginaw boxes, they have to be done with care and be overbuilt to withstand even unreasonable loads. The only real butchery I see here is the grossly enlarged hole in the fender for the steering box.
 
We all have different standards and perhaps what we’re comfortable with. I’m sticking with what I said, I would not operate that on a public road or highway

That is obviously not a commercially made product, it’s homemade and poorly done. There is at least one plate sandwiched in between the box and mount then bolts running through both. Are the bolts “sleeved” inside the frame to prevent crushing or cracking it? I doubt it. That is a poor design asking for problems. MUD is a kind place and I’m not trying to be unkind. Heaven forbid this got posted on Pirate.

Steering needs to be right. I would not risk getting into an accident which possibly involves injury to myself or even worse, someone else. An insurance adjuster or injury attorney would have a very good case for “unsafe vehicle” and as the operator, you’d probably be screwed.
 
Rock40 said:
We all have different standards and perhaps what we’re comfortable with. I’m sticking with what I said, I would not operate that on a public road or highway

That is obviously not a commercially made product, it’s homemade and poorly done. There is at least one plate sandwiched in between the box and mount then bolts running through both. Are the bolts “sleeved” inside the frame to prevent crushing or cracking it? I doubt it. That is a poor design asking for problems. MUD is a kind place and I’m not trying to be unkind. Heaven forbid this got posted on Pirate.

Steering needs to be right. I would not risk getting into an accident which possibly involves injury to myself or even worse, someone else. An insurance adjuster or injury attorney would have a very good case for “unsafe vehicle” and as the operator, you’d probably be screwed.
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Very well said!!!
 
The FJ40/mini-truck box like you have needs a cooler. Valley Hybrids has the pedestal you’d need to clean it up if you decide to keep that box. They can recommend a Summit cooler. This is my setup. 33” tires max.

The 60/Scout works nice and you ditch a bunch of linkage, so less steering slop.

The Saginaw has the most power and also gets rid of linkages.
 
I just came across this thread. I had a few issues with my Saginaw conversion when I bought the FJ40. I was able to get most of it corrected and then @Jdc1 really tuned it up perfectly by finding the correct fitting pitman arm. I was always concerned that the castle nut was not gripping enough thread and there was no option of even using a cotter pin.

When Jesse was hanging around under the truck on his lift and used the arm as an aid to lift himself to a better standing position, the arm moved. Thankfully it was not underway.

@B777 great information you’re acquiring here and glad you’re back to read and discover it. Welcome back to the forum. I have found in my near 5 years here that the people who respond to posts on the site are the most dedicated and informed Land Cruiser folk found anywhere…
 
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