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Adding Power Steering To 69 Cj5 With 283 Chevy Engine

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by eldoradojim, Aug 11, 2022.

  1. Aug 15, 2022
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Some ps boxes have 3 holes,most have 4. Same bolt pattern, just an extra hole. I've seen guys use a 4 bolt steering gear with the 3 bolt bracket and seems to be fine.
     
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  2. Aug 15, 2022
    dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

    Grand Mesa, CO
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  3. Aug 16, 2022
    skipilot

    skipilot Member

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    If it will bolt up or not is also dependent on where the box was located fore and aft when it was installed. The power boxes are longer so if the manual was installed close to the front bumper you are probably good, but if it was pushed back close to the crossmember under the radiator, not likely. You would have to redo it.
    Tim
     
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  4. Aug 16, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

    El Dorado, Ca
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    thanks,i appreciate the info
     
  5. Aug 16, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

    El Dorado, Ca
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    thanks, i may have to move the mounting plate, i may be getting a steering box with pitman arm , a guy has it on marketplace, its 3 1/2 turns, a couple guys seem to think that will be fine , i found a 4 1/4 turn one but doesnt have the pitman arm , not sure how to find the straight pitman arm i need
     
  6. Aug 16, 2022
    dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

    Grand Mesa, CO
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    I put a 3 turn 1979 factory CJ5 Saginaw box in mine and it works GREAT!
    I left the large steering wheel on it for a retro look, and I never feel that it has 'too quick' of a steering ratio.
     
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  7. Aug 16, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

    El Dorado, Ca
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    thanks, i will probably go ahead and get the 3 1/2 turn box then, i can get it tomorrow, your 3 turn box doesnt make the jeep too squirrely?
     
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2022
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  8. Aug 16, 2022
    dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

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    (y)
    No, I also upgraded to a Dana 30 with all new ball joints and axle U-joints. I installed a P/S pump from the same year as the box so it would 'match'. It behaves JUST LIKE a 1978 CJ7 I used to own.
     
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  9. Aug 16, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

    El Dorado, Ca
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    thanks
     
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  10. Aug 18, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

    El Dorado, Ca
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    I picked up a steering box today, its a 3 1/4 turn , not a 3 1/2 like the guy said, if i dont like it, ill use it as a core for a 4 1/4 turn one, anyway, it wont bolt up to the plate i have, i took the manual box off and the old box mounted on a flat 5/8" plate , the power steering box has the holes back away from the edge of the box, guess ill have to make shims/spacers ...everyone that i talked to said its a direct bolt on wtf?.....i have to grind the plate off the frame and move it too, i will just make another plate and make spacers i guess
     
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  11. Aug 18, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    The large wheel in effect makes it act like a slower ratio steering gear. That is why it works well.
    A steering system, just like a suspension system, clutch system, or any other system has many working pieces to make them work in different ways. Change this, it effects that, change that, it effects this and that. I don’t get why people don’t understand this basic fact of mechanics. Been discussed for as far as I can remember everywhere.
     
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  12. Aug 19, 2022
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    You might want to do your own research a bit to verify what you have and what you want is easily compatible. The power box has mounting points in different locations that are not on the same plane.
    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...RdsHfevaRqQCwrWRKf0wzP8MROswelMRoCWFoQAvD_BwE

    3.25 turns and 3.5 turns lock to lock is not a significant difference that would be very noticeable. Also, posters on this thread have stated that it may or may not bolt up.
     
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  13. Aug 19, 2022
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    A lot of saginaw conversions are 'unique' based on the previous owners perogative and skill etc (whomever owns my jeeps next will be endlessly complaining about WTF did I do and why is nothing done right)....the bolt pattern is pretty much standard, but as 47v6 mentioned, they are not in the same plane (and thus don't bolt to a flat surface)....not sure what your starting point is, and how 'unique' it is from the PO. Depending on your preference and budget, mount plates are common and minimize the fab work of creating the out of plane mounts holes. Just to give you an idea - this is a common mount plate - notice the mount hole 'tabs' are of a different length:
    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...l6txXGFcA2G682yVi6_DMGMy6xNs69dxoCaG0QAvD_BwE
    https://shop.willysamerica.com/Saginaw-Steering-Box-Mount-Plate-p/716838.htm
     
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  14. Aug 19, 2022
    dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

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  15. Aug 19, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

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  16. Aug 20, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

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    another issue i found is , the manual box was bolted to the plate from the box side, holes in plate were tapped to 3/8". the power steering box has 7/16" threaded holes...so needs to be bolted up from the outside. this is a big problem to try and do that...could i possibly drill out the threads and bolt it up like the old one? or not a good idea ?
     
  17. Sep 1, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

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    Thanks for the info on the mounting plate from Summit, I ordered it and got it welded in today....its working out perfect...
     
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  18. Jan 25, 2023
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

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    well, finally done with the waggy axle swap,and power steering done also, it was a pita to get the brakes working but with new MC, they work great, thanks for all the info on doing the power steering, the plate i got worked great....I ended up with a box with 3.25 turns, it seems fine
     
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  19. Aug 21, 2023
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

    El Dorado, Ca
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    update on the power steering, i took the jeep on the Rubicon in June, the power steering pump went out so had a fun time getting out without power steering on 33,s ...got a rebuilt pump and decided to get a steering box with 4.25 turns,,got a brand new Cardone box for a little over $500, have driven it on the road and i like it better than the 3.25 turn box i had on there, also added an electric pusher fan in front of the radiator, it was getting too hot idling around on the Rubicon, other than that the jeep did great with the yukon zip lockers front and rear....wish i had a 4 spd trans or automatic, maybe in the future...just tired of working on it...
     
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  20. Aug 22, 2023
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    Glad to hear you are having success with your modifications. Jeeps are a work-in-progress.
    -Donny
     
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