Hi, I'm new to the list. I've been lurking for a while though. I just bought a 1978 FJ45 LWB pickup about a month ago and would like to put in power steering. I see everyone talking about the Saginaw conversions and wondered why I couldn't use the stock Toyota power steering from a 79 or newer. I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere yet. Is it because there are problems with installing it or??
Thanks, Pete
The main problem is getting a hold of one since 40 series power steering units are rare, desirable and command a healthy amount of dough. You can install a PS unit from a minitruck with an aftermarket bracket if you want to minimize the modifications.
78 2f block won't have the bolt holes for the OEM(fj60) PS pump to mount up, if by some chance it does(started in 79) the pump will. Prolly can figure out another mount if not. PS box will bolt up inplace of the manual, you will need to trim a wee bit off the steering shaft to make it fit(PS shaft is shorter then manual)
This is the swap I did on my 82 fj40......I LOVE it.
Not finding an OEM PS box is not a big deal, you can buy a new OEM 79 PS casting(empty box) and 85 and earlier mini truck PS guts are a direct swap(they use the same seal kit even) So you take mini guts and stuff em in a new PS casting.........bingo OEM fj40 PS. This is actaully what I did on my 82 fj40, casting is about $275-300, mini box=cheap, rebuild=$200, seal kit $60......and you end up with a new OEM PS box.......really slick. I of course have horded away an spare PS casting...........hey I can't help it
Or you could make me an offer(not sure if I want to sell however) on my 80 OEM fj40 PS set up.......complete except the cooler tube(use a small trany cooler instead, I did) and I "might" even know where another set up it. But unless you luckly expect to pay around $700-800 for the OEM PS set up.......if ya can find one
BTW fj60 mount and pump are the same as fj60, get all the bits you can.
the biggest difference is the price your generaly looking at around $1000 for a stock style ps setup, and you can put together a saginaw for $250 ish if you have some metal fab stuff and some time. the other advantage to the saginaw style is the reduction in steering joints. this makes for less slop and less points for potential failure. there's also a crossover kit that uses a ps box from an ifs truck but it is also a little spendy.
it all depends on what your looking for in PS, if you want to run 33+" tires then OEM is prolly not up to it. But for a nice clean 40/5 OEM PS has its place. NO FREAKIN way I would have bastardized my mint 82 fj40 with GM PS. I like it enough I am doing the same on my other 82.
I am looking at doing the 60 series PS conversion on my '78 40. My block is not tapped for the PS pump mount. Could I just tack weld that bracket onto the block and call it good?
Thanks for the advice.My 45 is a daily driver so I don't plan on putting big rubber on it so thats not a factor. I like the idea of getting rid of a couple steering joints but I guess what I'm looking for is the simplest install. I'm not much of a fab guy and I'd like to keep it as easy as possible. Another problem I just realized is being in Canada we didn't get any FJs from late 70s on so I'd only be able to find one from a BJ or HJ. I suppose the diesel setups would be different, right? Here we got gas motors again in 1988 with the FJ62 which I think is a 3F. Maybe that would work?
thanks again, Pete
I am looking at doing the 60 series PS conversion on my '78 40. My block is not tapped for the PS pump mount. Could I just tack weld that bracket onto the block and call it good?
Pablo, I don't think I would tack weld anything to the block, no science to back it up, just wouldn't.
Bill Dorry makes a pump mount for a GM pump that uses the three motormount bolts on the driver's side. I believe it would not be difficult to adapt to most any pump. Are you desmogged? I also have a bunch of various pump btackets and adjusters you can have for the shipping if you want them. I used the GM pump and the 4runner box. It is the single best modification I've done to my cruiser.
GL
Ed
This is how I installed a saginaw rack and scout II pump. The pump type doesn't matter.
The whole job was done for less than $100. But a lot of time went into making everything work. The pump bracket was a pain in the neck job.
While I'm sure saginaw would handle the bigger tires, the feeling of the steering is completly different. I prefer the feel of my FJ60 p.s. over the saginaw conversion in my 45...it just feels like a video game with little or no feedback when driving.
Pablo, I don't think I would tack weld anything to the block, no science to back it up, just wouldn't.
Bill Dorry makes a pump mount for a GM pump that uses the three motormount bolts on the driver's side. I believe it would not be difficult to adapt to most any pump. Are you desmogged? I also have a bunch of various pump btackets and adjusters you can have for the shipping if you want them. I used the GM pump and the 4runner box. It is the single best modification I've done to my cruiser.
GL
Ed
Ed, Thanks. I have heard that this is the best mod... I looked at a bunch of 60s and saw where thay mount the bolts. My '78 40 block has no such holes tapped into the block. I'll have my hands on the actual pump by this weekend. It looks like the bracket will fit right in there, but w/ no holes tapped I can either tack weld or tap the block. Don't really want to tap the block...
Most, if not all, of the aftermarket parts dealers have power steering pump brackets that bolt to the 2F using head bolts or attach to the air pump brackets. Additionally, a number of people have modified air pump brackets and mounts for ps pumps. You don't need to drill/tap or weld anything to a 2F to install a ps pump.
While I'm sure saginaw would handle the bigger tires, the feeling of the steering is completly different. I prefer the feel of my FJ60 p.s. over the saginaw conversion in my 45...it just feels like a video game with little or no feedback when driving.
This is odd. The steering road feel issue is exactly why I put off doing saginaw and was considering the minitruck setup for my 79 for a while. I eventually decided to do saginaw and it steers great. And it does have decent feedback and road feel. And almost zero play in the wheel. I used all downey conversion components and a reman box from napa for an 85 caprice. I made my own lines and pump bracket ( the bracket was a major pain) and mounted up a pump from a 79 caprice. It has better road feel with 33's than my 89 minitruck does.
Most, if not all, of the aftermarket parts dealers have power steering pump brackets that bolt to the 2F using head bolts or attach to the air pump brackets. Additionally, a number of people have modified air pump brackets and mounts for ps pumps. You don't need to drill/tap or weld anything to a 2F to install a ps pump.
"Yes, I have a simple adapter bracket that allows the minitruck PS pump to
drop into the 2F air pump bracket. But, I need your PS pump w/ pulley &
mounting "cage", 2F air pump bracket and AP adjusting arm to put it all
together. That's because there are 2 different AP brackets, 4 different
adjuster arms, I don't know how many pump pulleys & 1 or 2 or 3 groove crank
pulleys. My solution works for all of them, but it requires assembling the
pieces on the side of a dummy block and welding the pivot bracket together
right there. Price is $100 because it takes me two hours and some materials
to make it happen."
I went with Bill Dorry's (wdorry) minitruck PS brackets, it's an easy install and not too expensive; I probably sunk a total of around $300 into the whole thing. Most of the parts are available through your local auto parts store (NAPA seems to be be pretty good about getting the parts I need) I used an 85 minitruck PS box, Saginaw pump and Toyota PS hoses (the high pressure hose must have a "standard" thread fitting atached in order to bolt up the saginaw pump). Do a search on powersteering and you'll come up with enough reading to keep you busy for a few days.
