Power steering conversion

Just wanted to know if it was possible to do a power steering conversion on a 74 CJ5 with the AMC 304 and 3 speed tranny (t15 i believe but am most likely way off)? Gonna be putting a smaller steering wheel on and really dont want to be on the trail with a hard right/left and tear my hand up when the wheel whips around at 20 mph.

 

Yes you can. I did my 73 about two years ago. Same reason, get the semi truck steering wheel out of my belly.

1. I order the power steering gear box from local parts store. I bolted right up.
2. I got power steering brackets for junk yard AMC car.
3. Ordered new pump and hoses from parts store.
4. Order new steering shaft with splines on both ends from Flaming river. (Safer)
5. Got Grant steering wheel, with jeep horn button

In all I think I spend under $300. You may find cheap but I had replace some worn out parts so I 'upgrade' also.

 

Which Grants steering wheel did you buy?

 

The three spoke, I did look really hard at the rice burner 'D' style to give evan more room for my fat gut.

*UPDATE* I getting fatter, I may have to convert to tilt with D steering wheel.

 

at least there are some options
Posted via Mobile Device

 

Watch ebay for used setups. Most will come with the pitman arm (different for MS and PS boxes), gear box, pump, brackets and hoses. Bought my first one for about $150 to the door and the box was tight.

This is an example. The pump bracket wouldn't work for you. But everything else will.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/70s-80s-AMC-JEEP-CJ-5-6-7-8-POWER-STEERING-SETUP_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34200QQihZ008QQitemZ180285535664QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Just remember if you get a steering box from another application, count the turns on the box and keep it up close to 4 to 4.25. An S-10 box from a 90's blazer 4x4 is nice and it is variable. So it's tight on center and assisted on turns. I run one on my waggy and soon to have one on the cj.

 

Dr TimGr will be aound shortly and give you a full run down of the cheapest way to go (junk yard} to the if ya got bucks , and he 'll let us know what mine the iron came from to make the steel !

 

Oh and by the way ,,,, do a search of the forum and you'll find a ton of info on this subject !

 

Uh, hmm. Well, I can make some suggestions, though I don't know much about the steel.

I'd think the easiest source for the engine brackets and pump are from a Wagoneer. They are fairly common in the yards in my experience, and almost all have power steering and a 360 V8.

There's been lots of discussion about which steering gear will work. I'd suggest you do a search.

Note that these Jeeps came with optional power steering, and used GM steering parts (pump, gear), so it's about as close to a bolt-on upgrade as you can get.

Someone will want your manual gear, so don't pitch it.

 

When you get the used pump and gear, just be mindful of which fittings you're going to need. Either the metric ones with the O-rings or the inverted flare fittings. There is aftermarket hoses available for your setup, it was an option and they are inverted flare.

GATES Part # 364140

 

Definite on watching the fittings. My 72' Cj5 came new with power steering and I had some reservations at first. But once I had the four inch Rancho lift, Dana 60 w/ Detroit Lockeron rear and Dana forty four with tru-Trak on front and added 35" 1250's .... well, that power steering was sure Great..... Least untill a rock ripped the gearbox out of my forward frame member....

SOOOOOOOO, definite suggest improving the beef supporting the gearbox and add a very beefy slide plate so to allow rocks and trail 'STUFF" to glance off the area housing your gearbox for that power-steering for sure. Think and plan your installation out. As Others have mentioned... lot's of bolt on parts and pieces...but all will be for not...unless you "PROTECT" that new power steering modification at hand!

Good luck with your task at hand and SEMPER FI!

Gunner

 

Note about the fittings: The later hoses (Jeep mid-80ish or later) use an o-ring fitting, and the earlier hoses use a flare fitting, just like used on brake lines. You need hoses that match the steering gear, but the pump can be used with either type of fitting. The low pressure return hose just pushes on at the pump and secures with a hose clamp. There's an adapter for the o-ring fitting needed for the high pressure hose that screws into the pump. If you need to adapt to o-ring hoses, go to the junkyard and take the adapter out of the back of a late model GM pump.