Toyota Prius Power Assist Steering option for FJ?? (1 Viewer)

[CCA]

I was reading down through "the drive" yesterday and found this interesting Toyota Prius option... Granted, this steering assist is designed to be computer-controlled, it contains a fail-safe circuit. This means unless I'm mistaken, that it only requires 12VDC +/- to operate fully.

What do you guys think? Might this work in place of all the mods we typically choose? Assuming there was room for this and it worked well, it would save room, engine pumps, lines, frame mods, weight, etc.

Thoughts?

Toyota Prius Power Steering Works in Almost Any Project Car

Your custom build doesn't have to suffer heavy steering any longer.

www.thedrive.com

 

[Engineer8000]

That's really cool.

 

[Slapshot]

Interesting. Could it handle big tires? Who’s going to go first?

 

[White Stripe]

I think someone sells a electric steering kit for the 40.

 

[777Gage]

City Racer sells this -

Electric Power Steering for '73 and later Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

Your opportunity to enjoy a leapfrog in technology and enter the Tesla age! A complete kit to convert your Land Cruiser FJ40 to electric power steering. Developed by EZ Electric Power Steering using components produced by Koyo and NSK, both made in Japan and affiliated with Toyota.Compatible...

www.cityracerllc.com

 

[Shark56]

I wonder what the spline size is on the shafts? It would be nice not to use multiple adapters on the shafts like is needed on the Saturn motor being used now on the home built versions. Maybe time to price on ebay and experiment..

 

[CCA]

Interesting. Could it handle big tires? Who’s going to go first?

I'm unsure. Turning Prius tires wouldn't take much you'd think, but there is a threshold for weight, even in that small vehicle. I wonder what this part goes for new and also a common price from the scrapyard from a wrecked unit? It might be worth chasing.

 

[Shark56]

I'm unsure. Turning Prius tires wouldn't take much you'd think, but there is a threshold for weight, even in that small vehicle. I wonder what this part goes for new and also a common price from the scrapyard from a wrecked unit? It might be worth chasing.

Quick ebay search found a few for sale. Seems like $150 or so for take offs. The couple pics I looked at showed some rusting on the units and the sellers did not have a great ebay rating.
The Saturn Vue box used to be around $100 but now is also going for $150 or more.

 

[CCA]

Turning small or big tires while resting on the pavement isn't my concern. Turning the wheels when in the muck or terrain is my concern. I'm not suggesting this won't work, but I have no way of quantifying what amount of torque big tires in mud require and what the Prius assist unit can provide.

But, I'm excited to see if someone CAN quantify those concerns.

 

[Engineer8000]

According to testing I see on you tube, max current draw of the prius unit using the ECU is less than 20 amps. The kits I see advertised for resto mods are at least 45 amps. 20 amps is still 180 ft-lb/s which seems like it would be enough. I don't know about running it in limp mode though. I'm waiting for drive by wire.

 

[Shark56]

The Saturn Vue (koyo) units I run will blow a 30 amp fuse in the rocks with 33's. I now run 40 amp and have not blown a fuse since. I think the Koyo is rated up to 60 amp.
I bet it would be a great unit for everyday stuff but not sure about offroad capability. Interesting option though. Especially if it has a standard metric spline.

 

[SWCruiser]

I’m doing this right now. The Prius setup ended up working great. It’s basically finished - just waiting on the body to be painted before final
Install. The outer shaft is press fit and the diameters all work perfectly for the 40. You’ll need some welding skills and have to measure and remeasure but otherwise fairly straightforward.

 

[JKIII FJ40]

SWCruiser, can you share some pics when you get a chance? thanks

 

[Cruiser1855]

I’m doing this right now. The Prius setup ended up working great. It’s basically finished - just waiting on the body to be painted before final
Install. The outer shaft is press fit and the diameters all work perfectly for the 40. You’ll need some welding skills and have to measure and remeasure but otherwise fairly straightforward.

You’re a pioneer! I’m strongly considering this. Any photos or tips?

 

[workingdog]

I have the City Racy system in my EV45, but it's not running yet, but I can post pictures.

 

[DPHFJ40]

Bring a fish scale next time you go wheeling, hook it to steering wheel spoke to measure torque needed to turn the steering wheel. The electric assist is like adding a larger diameter steering wheel, increasing the input torque to the steering gear. You don't really need a huge electric assist since you already have the ratio of the manual gear box.
I installed a 28 ft lb electric assist on my 40 with 235/85R16 mud terrains and can dry park steer with 1 finger on asphalt (about 2 lbs at the steering wheel). You can find electric assist units that go to 60 ft lbs.

 

[Junebuggy]

For what it's worth, the Prius system (and others?) doesn't have speed compensation, it's open loop on this. Some of the units (GM?) do have this. Means it provides more torque at low speeds. Not sure anyone has experience with the speed compensation. Thinking about doing this, but will lose that sense of driving an old tractor through mud!! I think the open loop would be as far as I go as I'm not planning to get too roudy with mine.

 

[SWCruiser]

Sorry guys I’ll get some pics this weekend for you. I’ve been swamped and have neglected my poor 40.

 

[Junebuggy]

Really anxious to see pics, SWCruiser. Seems you have it sorted out. Show me the way!!

 

[SWCruiser]

sorry....... Im in the middle of too many projects and the 40 is being neglected. Ill pull out the pieces this weekend and take some pics/ measurements for you.