Anyone done Herm's Steering conversion?

[Txjake]

Talking about the reverse rotation (Ford) box conversion that puts the box behind the crossmember. Thinking about this one since I am not pulling the L head and already have a manual Ranger box. Anybody done one?

[Lugnutz]

Jhuey just put one on his 64 CJ5. He had some problems and can give you some good insight into what to watch out for. He is out of town for the weekend (I'm dogsitting for him). Send him a PM. I will alert him to this thread when I see him Monday or so.

[Txjake]

Thanks, will do.

[tobyw]

I tried to make it work on my '47 with the stock radiator and L-head. It was an absolute no go... The Ranger box would hit the bottom corner of the radiator, and the steering shaft would have to run directly through the motor mount setup on the block/frame. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it wasn't exactly straight forward. I mocked it up a hundred different ways, and with some VERY creative work to the steering shaft, it could possibly be routed. But, the radiator was the real show stopper. The huge factory shroud was at least 1-1/2" down into the space for the steering box, and even with the shroud removed it still hit the corner of the radiator itself. I think it may work well on a later CJ, but I just don't see it for a Flattie :cry:

[Txjake]

Thanks. That may help me decide what to do. I was thinking about upgrading steering, but was not sure if I wanted to go with the front mounted Saginaw. Cant use power steering and I would like to keep a stock look from the driver's seat. Any suggestions?

[181jeep]

I had the exact same experience as Toby. The stock radiator is really in the way.

JB

[Txjake]

This is with a manual box, right?

[lynn]

MattJ put it in his '58 CJ5 with 283 V8. Had to go to a (3) u-joint steering shaft to snake around the 283 exhaust.
He had pics on the forum IIRC...

[farm1810]

After seeing this thread, I e-mailed Herm about the problems. I just bought his kit and the Ranger manual steering box but haven't tried to install in my 2A project. Herm replied that this was designed around a stock CJ and was not really designed for one's with engine conversions. It would be great if you guys would e-mail him with the issues so he can address it in his design if he chooses. I suggested that he take a look at this forum.

[tobyw]

I agree it was probably designed around a stock CJ, just not a CJ-2A:(

[m38willys]

OK, been reading intently because I want to do this as well. Herm's site shows pictures of a CJ3B with a 302, and a 3B with a V6. Nothing stock about that. Gonna have to do some mocking up and measuring and check for myself. There is enough variation between models and modifications that there probably isnt a way to know without checking each one.

http://hermtheoverdriveguy.com/id120.htm

[Warloch]

I looked into it as well. My conclusion (3A and V6) was it will depend on the motor mounts. It looks like it will work fine with the 'stock' mounts, but possibly have issues with the Novak and AA mounts.

My other question was radiator mounting.

I still plan on looking into it when I start my next 3A. Just to see how it works compared to the Saginaw setup I have done so many times.