72 Jeep AMC 232 Power Steering Swap

I'm really in project mode now! I have read and read and read on replacing my manual steering with power but I can't seem to find the concensus on which parts to pull at a junkyard. At first I thought something like a Gremlin or something but now I just don't know. I've read some posts here that say for about $300 you can do it, and that's a small price to pay for the project really.

So I guess, what do I need to buy for a (more or less) bolt on application without having to fabricate a bunch of adapters (I'm no welder yet - taking classes though!)?

Thanks folks!

 

a power steering swap is not too hard at all...you can use the power steering pump and brackets from any amc engine (v-8 or s-6) to yours (v-8 , s-6) but keep in mind on some s-6's you need a certain bolt on the intake to accomplish this. (if I remember correctly) As for the steering gear, you will need to get one from any vehicle that uses the saginaw box mounted to the inside of the frame. The best one for CJ's have a 4 to 1 lock to lock ratio. Your manual has a 6 to 1 but this is only on the manuals. Try not to use a 3 or 3.5 to 1 box as this will make your Jeep a little squirrely. The box will bolt to you manual brackets, but you may need to cut off the nipple on the coupler shaft of the box to fit into your coupler on your intermediate shaft. One other thing I have run into is the coupler may have a smaller spline and may not fit. Again you may need to obtain this item, which I have found on some IH vehicles as well as Jeep CJ series vehicles. You may have to get Jeep only steering hoses or make your own because of the tight clearance between the frame and the box. Good luck.

 

cshortreed, If you figure it out, post it here !! I'm sure there are alot of folks that would benefit from the info. including me. I got my alt. mnt., pump mnt. and two-groove pulley from the same vehicle (80's something Cherokee w/258 I-6) to fit on my 74 CJ-5 w/258 I-6 and the pulleys don't line-up exactly right. Some fab. required .
The conversion kit that I bought included: hoses, pump, gearbox, pitman arm, and pulley. I have to modify the steel return line on the pump to make it fit the mounting brkt.
I also had to buy a rediculously expensive coupler for the lower steering shaft to mate with the p.s. gearbox.
I'm $600 into this and can't wait till I'm done . I'm sure it will be worth it, but being a little more junk yard savy and having the parts list from someone who's gone before would have made this MUCH easier and economical !!!!

Regards, Jim

 

Can't say anything about the pump, bracket and pullys. The '83 258 I bought had all of them already.

A TJ PS box is a direct bolt in for the manual on a 72. The steering shaft even worked without modification.

 

As I understand it, the main difference between the factory manual steering setup and the factory power steering setup, besides the different box and adding the pump, are 1) the power steering frame bracket has 3 bolts for manual instead of 4 bolts for power, and 2) the steering shaft coupling is a differnt diameter. You can bolt the 4-bolt power box to the 3-bolt bracket. There are power steering pumps out there that have 3 bolts, like the Chevy S10/Blazer 4x4 box. The 4-bolt brackets are hard to find, since they occasionally break and there is no source other than existing vehicles.

Otherwise it's mostly collecting the parts and bolting it together. No welding required.

 

Thank you all for your input, I will start on this today and I'll be sure to document and photo my progress for the next poor schmuch that has to do this!

How would I know which I'm getting? Is it on the box somewhere, do I need to count teeth somewhere?

You have my word!

Really? That seems to be pretty simple, but of course Jeep parts ALWAYS cost a premium, even though we have five Jeep-Only junkyards in Colorado. I wonder which other might be a bolt on like that. Perhaps an AMC Gremlin?

Would this be the recommended doner car for this?

More options! Cool.


So, if I'm thinking on the right lines here, go to the pick-n-pull, find an AMC, TJ, Chevy S10, Blazer or Durango of the same year and engine size (perhaps only engine size and NOT year?) and pull the box. Get the brackets from another AMC (same engine and/or year), and I've read somewhere that the pump is best if it's rebuilt for safety right? Other than that should I replace the steering column and dump that Mac Truck stock steering wheel? Anything special with the tie rod or having to pick up some 'longer' parts to accomodate the swap?

Thanks to you all for your input!

 

In general, you need a Saginaw power steering box, either 3 bolt or 4 bolt. The slower (more turns lock-to-lock) boxes are preferred. These typically come out of old luxo-boat GM cars.

The S10/Blazer 4x4 box is a favorite of the Wagoneer and J-truck owners. On these vehicles, it will bolt in, accepting the pitman arm and the existing coupler. Its bad aspects are that it is a 3-bolt box and that it uses the more modern o-ring fittings instead of the older flare fittings. This isn't a problem on a J-truck because the post-81 stock hoses use o-rings, and the o-ring adapter for the GM pump simply screws into the back of the older style pump. This is a variable ratio box, and is more responsive than the original j-truck gear. The J-trucks and Wagoneers have very slow boxes and are heavily boosted - you can turn the wheel lock-to-lock with one finger. The variable ratio box may be too quick for a CJ, although the S10 4x4 boxes are said to be more turns lock-to-lock than the 2wd versions. They do tend to be cheap and in good condition though.

You need the engine brackets for the pump. Your existing frame bracket will work, although you may want to add a brace frm the bottom of the gear to the opposite frame rail. I think the brace is a good idea, regardless of whther you have a 3-bolt or 4-bolt bracket.

Hey, I'd keep the bus wheel. That is a distinctly Jeep feature. You'll like it a lot better once you have power steering.

 

Ok, went to the Jeep boneyard today and found a VERY nice gearbox, pump and all the goodies for just $200.00. I didn't buy it though because the junkyard dog and I poked around and couldn't see any way to make it work.

I have a 232 with the alternator on the right of the engine, where the PS pump wants to be. He has an adapter for the 258 that moves the alternator to the left side and clamps over the timing cover, but it doesn't even come close to fitting mine.

So, now what? Has anyone put PS on a 232 and had to deal with this at all?

 

cshortreed, I've got the 304 w/power steering. When my gearbox went, I picked up a gearbox from a 76 wagoneer for $25. Didn't think to look at the bracket to see if it was the same as the one on the jeep, but they are four bolt. I also had to get the couple for the end as it was a different size. The pumps are the same also. Hoses are different lenghts but have the same fittings. Hope this can save you a few $$.

 

I mentioned that you may have to change the intake...I think you can use a 258 also.


Originally Posted by JeepManEd
The best one for CJ's have a 4 to 1 lock to lock ratio. Your manual has a 6 to 1 but this is only on the manuals. Try not to use a 3 or 3.5 to 1 box as this will make your Jeep a little squirrely.

all you need to do is steering from stop to stop and count your turns.

 

My 258 J-truck has the PS pump on the left and the alternator on the right.

 

Hi cshortreed. I gather by your post that your located in the Denver area??? I live on Conifer Mnt. apx. 40 mins. from Denver. Keep me posted on your progress. If I finish mine first, you can come over and check it out!! - or - vice versa .

P.S. I got my pump mnt. and two-groove pulley from Jeeps Unlimited (bone-yard) not sure if they're right yet.

Regards, Jim

 

Great to hear from you Jim, I know exactly where Conifer is, I go through there fairly often! I called JU and no dice, is yours a 232? I actually have a call into 4X4 Used in Ft. Collins and he said he just got the bracket and pulley for someone else just a couple of days ago from out of town and thinks he can find another for me. Fingers crossed! I lucked out and found an AMC web site that actually showed the entire blow up of the PS pump assbly and bracket/pulley, etc for my 232 engine - very cool and helped a lot.

 

Post it

 

Here is the main site: http://www.amcrc.com/tech/tech.html

And the PS assbly for my 232: http://amccf.com/tech/new/steering_pump_SIX.jpg

 

Hi cshortreed. No, mines a 258. I wish I could find a parts blow-up like that for mine! I was "shooting in the dark" when I ventured into the junkyard. With some luck, I should be able to make it work. Hope to tackle that tommorow. Gotta finish putting on my half-cab today.
I'll keep you posted. Jim