Ripping out Ross Steering

I'm getting set to do Herm's reverse steering conversion. First step being to take out the old column and Ross, tie rods and bell crank. Any pitfalls I should watch out for or helpful hints?
I'm using a postal column for the upgrade.

 

Yeh use PB blaster beforehand so you don't break any bolts. Don't ask how I know

 

I just pulled mine out and had a heck of a time with the bell crank rivets. Turns out the bell crank mounting base was welded to the cross member. Once I figured THAT out, it was a piece of cake.

 

I never have gotten around to removing that. I am thinking I might keep it and find some kind of use for it. Maybe a tiedown point whenever I get to put chia on a trailer.

 

Yes I think I'll leave that on also. I just picked up a "pickle Fork" so I'm ready to go!
I'm hoping to just pull the drivers side fender and tires. I bought this stuff a couple of years ago and just now getting ready to get it done. I've been too busy playing with the cj to tear it apart.

 

I was beginning to think I'd better be finding another use for it. In fact, once when the hammer missed the punch I was using to break it loose and bounced off my knuckle, I was thinking of enshrining it! :evil:

I suppose it could work as some sort of tie down but in my experience someplace more accessible is much easier to work with.

 

Here is the Herm steering box in place.

 

8) set up.

i left the mount for the bell crank in the crossmember. ifgured it couldn't hurt and you never know, it might be usefull. also didn't want to mess with the rivets and welds

enjoy herm's set up. i didn't use it since it wasn't out yet. but it's always looked nice.

 

I'm going to leave the mount also. Herm's kit is a very tight fit but it looks like it is going to work very well. To drop the box over the frame I had to take the fuel pump off and the radiator needed to be moved up about an inch. The brake lines are going to need to be redone but other than being a pain won't be too hard.

 

I left the mount also. I wanted to use Herm's kit because I think there will be much less stress on the frame but alas, no fit in flattie.

 

Looks good. I see you don't have to move the shock mount. How much clearance between box and radiator? Good work.

 

None, I had to raise the radiator up to slide the box forward up against the cross member. Right now the radiator is just resting on the steering box. I'm going to re drill the mounting holes about 1 inch higher than stock and leave it just a smidge up off the box. On my 69 CJ5 this is a very tight fit but looks almost factory. With the fender off it is quite easy to install and the whole thing has been much cleaner than I expected. I used a postal column with the stock u joint on that end and then a borgeson intermediate shaft and u joint to the Ford box. I am planning to run the steering without the pump for a bit as I need to fab the pump to engine brackets. Tires are only 31's and so far everything turns very easily. Debating about putting the steering damper back on and will try it without. I bought all these parts from Herm a couple of years ago so there may be improvements in the kit now.