power steering question

Hey guys, I know there has been a million threads on power steering conversions on here. I have looked at many of them and cannot find what I am looking for. Im lookin to convert my 73 cj5 304 to power steering. Havent been around long enough to know what makes and models would work for gear box, ps pump. Found a set up out of a v-6 wagoneer would that work? if you could point me in the right direction as far as what years, makes and models I should be looking for to get parts from that would be great. thanks again.

 

V6 Wagoneer? There is no such thing, AFAIK, unless it's a XJ (Cherokee) vehicle.

Look for a Grand Wagoneer with a 360 V8. That will be a good donor for the power steering pump and brackets. I recall that you'll need to change out the manual steering bell coupler for the bell coupler from a power steering Jeep. These are available aftermarket, IIRC. There are lots of different vehicles that can contribute a steering gear. If you find a Grand Wagoneer to donate the steering pump and brackets, it could also donate the steering gear. The S-10 and Blazer 4x4 vehicles are another possible donor, as are most large GM passenger cars of the '70s and '80s.

 

You also need the power steering pitman arm from a 72-75 CJ, the 76 and later will not allow you to turn full lock in one direction, you can get them from Quadratech or 4wd hardware.

 

This was one of the easiest and best mods I have done.

1. Got pump and brackets from a late 70's J-Truck.
2. Got the steering gear box from a 81 Chevy caprice.

Only problem I ran into was the pressure hose ends. After 80 or so all pressure hoses have an o-ring seal instead of the flanged ends. My gearbox was set-up for o-rings and my pump wasn't. Two options here, 1 have someone build you a custom pressure hose with two different ends, or do what I did and go back to the junkyard. I found an 80's chevy power steering pump and pulled the adapter out of it, the piece the pressure hose screws into. Now I was able to buy a pressure hose for an 80's CJ that fit perfect. My manual bell coupler also bolted right up to the Caprice gearbox. timgr is right, if you use a waggy or j-truck gearbox you have to change your bell coupler. Let me know if this makes sense, I can take pictures if that helps. It always helps me.

John

 

As said, go w/ the big vehicles. The 800 series saginaw gear boxes have two different size steer shafts, 3/4" and 13/16". The J20s, Wagoneers, and big GM cars used the 13/16" boxes.:v6:

 

I just got finished with a '75 power steering conversion myself.

My two cents:

Like the others have said, any AMC or Chrysler Jeep vehicle with the 304-360 V8 (goes all the way to '91 Grand Wagoneer) is a good donor for the pump, pulley & bracketry.

You can get a new (remanufactured) pump & gear box for a '72-'75 CJ5 from NAPA, then turn in the junk pump & gear box that you got from the vehicle that you salvaged the parts from in order to get your core charge credit.

Buy a new aftermarket steering shaft, such as Borgeson. If you get one for the proper model year of your jeep, the internally splined u-joints will match the factory steerign column, and the new gear box you just bought.

Buy new high-pressure power steering hose for '72-'75 CJ5 from most aftermarket jeep retailers. The low-pressure return hose is not available, but most parts stores can make one for you pretty cheap & easy. Doing it this way will ensure the hoses will be proper length, shape, and proper fittings.

Buy a new power steering pitman arm for '72-'75 CJ5, also available from most aftermarket retailers.

The only difficult parts to find are the two studs that mount the pump to the bracketry. The studs you will get off of later model vehicles will be fitted with metric studs, and these won't work with the correct '72-'75 pump. You can make your own with some 3/8-16 studs and 5/16 O.D. x 3/8 I.D. spacers cut to match the metric hardware, or a machine shop can make a matching set, but with 3/8-16 threads (more expensive, but proper).

This was my experience, and the home-brewed studs have held up so far, with no fluid leaks. Probably the more expensive way to go, rather than installing junk yard pumps & gear boxes, but I dont' have enough faith to bet my life on junk steering parts. Goes for brake parts too.

 

Humm really? this would explain my problem, whats the difference?

I went with a variable ratio waggy box. Very happy with it. It also has a larger piston for more assist, i can turn my 10.5 wide tires with 1 finger!

4bolt boxes bolt up the manual 3 bolt mount~3 years no issues.

 

The splines on the pitman arrm are "clocked" differently so it rotates the arm farther one way. This is due to the different angles the steering box is mounted on the '72-'75 vs. the '76 and newer.

 

You guys are awesome. Thats why this is the best jeep site on the web. Thanks again!