Upgrade steering to power?

I have manual Saginaw (forward mount) steering on my C101... I would love to upgrade to power steering. I have looked at every Commando parts site, eBay, etc. Can anyone give me part numbers for brackets, pumps, and steering boxes that will work. I have seen many "CJ" steering boxes but I am not sure they will work... I have yet to find a pump/brackets that will fit on the Duantless 225.

Any help is greatly appreciatted!:?

 

Search on this forum, numerous threads about steering. I did add power to mine, bolted on a 73 commando power box, and used 225 brackets. Pump was later model GM. The pressure line was hardest part- found it at auto zone part number 91578. See thread here:

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58632&highlight=power+steering&page=2

 

Search the Early CJ5 forum here about power steering engine brackets for the V6 CJ-5. I think the usual source is from a rear-wheeldrive 231 V6 Buick. but ther may be more sources. The pump and gearbox are something of a commodity item ... lots of different sources. Again, what will fit on a CJ will fit on your Jeepster.

 

I've got picture somewhere of the later GM pump and brackets, sorry no part numbers, that'd be too easy . The original brackets and pumps do come up on eBay and elsewhere but because of the limited use on Jeepsters they're not easy to find. 70's to mid 80's rear drive GM with 3.8L/231 are the best source for the brackets and pumps but even those are getting harder to come by. PS box is the easy part.

 

I have two NOS power steering engine brackets for the 225. Let me know if your interested. The part numbers are 1378150 for the F16 Jeepster without the smog pump and 1378367 for the F17 Jeep with the smog pump. Either one will work fine on the 225. As for the hoses you can use the pressure hose AutoZone part # 91578 and the return hose Autozone part # 70629 with most any older standard fitting power steering box from an early GM or Jeep. The pump from a 231 V6 should work as well. If you are using a steering gear box with standard threads just make sure you have standard and not metric treads on the pump as well or you will have to custom make a pressure hose. Later boxes from the lat 80's have metric box and pump fittings. Hope the info helps.

-MM

 

Thanks everyone. Very helpful. I am watching a pump and a steering box on eBay right now and we'll see what happens. Pump is from an 80-86 CJ and box is from an 88 wagoneer - sound right? Should be standard threads on each, right?

 

Just PM'd you about the pump, disregard that remark about the box, I was thinking the box was from a CJ too. 88 Wagoneer will have the O ring style fittings in the box, I'm running one on my snowplow Jeepster. Not that that's a big problem, there are ways around that but probably not something you want to deal with.
If the pump is the one I found on eBay it may have the O ring style fittings also.

 

What is so bad about the O ring set up?

 

Actually nothing wrong with the O ring, finding pressure lines that will work is the problem.

 

Well, I'm in it for good... I picked up a gearbox from an '85 CJ and a pump from an early '80's CJ. I also got a pump bracket off a 231 for my 225. $45 for the gearbox, one penny for the pump (plus $16 shipping), and the bracket was $15! All on eBay! All I have to do now is worry about the hydraulic lines... and busting my knuckles trying to get the old crap off.

 

Been checking out threads on the Steering upgrades, since my headers won't clear the Ross gearbox. Power steering seems like a good idea anyway but hadn't planned on it. I think I have a good idea about the gearbox, pump and hoses, but what about the link between the steering colum and the new gearbox? Also wondering about the Pittman arm if anyone has any info?

 

The quickest solution is a steering column and shaft from a 71 Jeepster or a 70 that had Saginaw, it could be from a PS or standard. If it was from a standard you'd only need to change the bell joint that attaches to the box. The pitman arm can be from a Jeepter, a 72/73 Commando or a 72/75 CJ with PS. You'll also need to do something about a steering draglink as the original draglink with the bellcrank won't work. Most change out the passenger side knuckle to the double hole style then use the draglink from a Jeepster with Saginaw, a Commando or again, CJ. I have seen a couple of guys that didn't change the knuckle, just attached the link where the original mounted on the cross link. Guess it worked out OK. You probably already know you'll need to notch the driver side frame mount or get one off a Jeepster with Saginaw?

 

Nice bracket and pulleys on ebay..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...622518059&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:VRI

 

When I swapped my 71 over to power steering, the PS steering gear bolted right up to the same cast iron mount that was holding the manual Saginaw gear.

 

Hey Guys
Thanks for the tips! I'll be scouting the junk yards waiting for warmer weather to pull parts.

 

I have a 69 commando and have been worned not to upgrade to PS for fear of cracking my frame. Has anybody else heard of this?

 

Not heard of that one, really no difference between a Ross equipped frame and a Saginaw equipped frame. It can be a problem if not done properly. Just drilling holes in the frame and throwing on the box mount will cause some problems down the road.

 

How can I tell which equipped frame my commando is sitting on?

 

It's a Ross, the steering box is located directly below the column.