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1973 Jeep Cj5 Power Steering Upgrade Using 1979 Steering Gear Box.

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Jeff Taylor, Jul 30, 2019.

  1. Jul 30, 2019
    Jeff Taylor

    Jeff Taylor 1973 Jeep CJ5

    Charlotte, NC
    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Hello all. I have ready many threads on power steering upgrades but I wanted to confirm specifics. With the wealth of knowledge on this forum i was thinking someone may be able to help. I have recently acquired the power steering pump along with brackets from a 1973 cj5 232 from Armordave off this forum. My question is can I simply use a 1979 jeep cj5 power steering gear box? I can get my hands on one fairly easy so i want to confirm. I would also acquire the power steering shaft along with that. My hoses will be custom fabricated from a local business.

    Anyone have pictures of a 1973 CJ5 power steering setup installed with hoses that they would be willing to send to me? Just trying to get a visualization of what it looks like.
     
  2. Jul 30, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    Hi Jeff. As I recall, the '74 and earlier 232 and 258 with power steering mounts the power steering pump on the right (passenger) side of the engine. There is an extra pulley that bolts to the front of the existing crankshaft pulley, to power the steering pump. Is this what you have?

    The power steering gear (aka "box" or "gearbox") mounts to the same place that the manual steering gear mounts. The power steering gear bracket has 4 bolts to hold the gear, and the manual gear bracket has 3 bolts. Thus there is a strength difference between the manual and power gear bracket, but the bolt pattern is the same.
     
  3. Jul 30, 2019
    Jeff Taylor

    Jeff Taylor 1973 Jeep CJ5

    Charlotte, NC
    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Thanks I have the brackets for the passenger side. The water pump pulley. The extra pulley on the crank. Im getting hoses made to fit. I just wanted to confirm I could use a 1979 power steering gear box and shaft on my 73.
     
  4. Jul 30, 2019
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
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    8,513
    Your 73 will have a different type of u-joint at the bottom of the column than the 79...in the engine compartment.
    Shouldn't be too hard to find what you need to mate the two together.
     
  5. Jul 31, 2019
    clint_73

    clint_73 New Member

    B.C.
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    Jan 1, 2017
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    If you still want pictures let me know and I'll take some to post.
     
  6. Jul 31, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
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  7. Jul 31, 2019
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
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    8,513
    Actually, all you would have to do for your existing steering column and shaft is to just change the bell coupler from non-power to power and you can reuse everything you currently have shaft wise.
     
  8. Jul 31, 2019
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    The later box may be clocked differently at the pitman arm as the bracket on a later one isn’t parallel to the frame the box sits at an angle.
     
  9. Jul 31, 2019
    Jeff Taylor

    Jeff Taylor 1973 Jeep CJ5

    Charlotte, NC
    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Yes please if anyone has pictures please post
     
  10. Aug 1, 2019
    clint_73

    clint_73 New Member

    B.C.
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  11. Aug 1, 2019
    Armordave

    Armordave New Member

    Plant City, Florida
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    Jul 14, 2019
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    This will give you some idea of how my '73 was set up
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2019
  12. Aug 2, 2019
    Jeff Taylor

    Jeff Taylor 1973 Jeep CJ5

    Charlotte, NC
    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2017
    Messages:
    39
    Appreciate everyone help. Looks like I'm ready to install power steering.
     
  13. Aug 3, 2019
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2007
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    1,486
    Dont read past this post without fully understanding what sterlclan is advising. Otherwise you will have a jeep that steers like a wild thing in one direction, and like a lazy old man the other way.
     
    sterlclan likes this.
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