Power "Ross"

Someone mentioned in another thread that there were Ross steering set ups that were available in "Power Steering".

Can anyone expand on this? I might like to make this conversion if it's feasible.

 

on CJs, the only power boxes were Saginaw, starting in 1972.
I read the same post, and I think that was in error.
no power steering Ross box that I know of.
Jeepsters with V6 had power steering, and those units were Saginaw as well.
hth

 

I have heard of an add on power brake booster for the frame mounted brake MC, but don't think I have heard of a power ross setup. I am interested to. John, are you and I the only ones still running Ross?

 

No actually I think there are several people running the Ross. Tim Harris, Brad Cole, and a few others.

As far as Power Ross...I did find mention in another jeep forum of a Power Ross. Seems like they said the '69 through '71 Jeepsters had the Power Ross. Can anyone confirm this?

I knew CJ's didn't have it, but if another jeep did or even a Ford for that matter it might be worth looking into. No frame boxing or steering column replacement and the other steering linkage should also stay the same.

Granted I've got the one piece Comando set up on Nixon now, but still, if I could find a Ross Set up that was power assisted I think it'd be neat.

 

I wonder if these people could convert a Jeep Ross set up to Power Steering?

http://truckparts-specialists.com/catalog/power-steering/

 

Jim that was not a mistake, I have seen several old Jeepsters with power ross, I actually know where there is one at in a junkyard that looks all original. They are a little on the bulky side. They still mount in a similar place and fashion as the jeep ross box but are about 2x the size. I am not sure that they would fit easily into our jeeps do to the heater location and still be able to change spark plugs, but they do exist!!!!!!!! The one that is in the junkyard has a v8 in it but don't really know if it is a 327 amc or a buick 350, just never looked, saw the steering box and asked the owner about it, he said it was a Ross power unit and it does look very similar to the cj ross box but alot thicker and a little longer and taller, can't remember if the steering column was attached like the cj models but I don't think so. The thing probably weighs 50-55#'s.

 

parts manual and FSM make no mention, show no availability that is why I was questioning

 

Its possible Jim this was an aftermarket kit then, using heavy or industrial parts but it sure looks like a factory job. There is an old man around my town somewhere that has one identical to the junkyard vehicle, I have not seen him in several years, I just figured it was factory since it was such a well done setup, both of them!!!

 

maybe sneak a pic when they are not looking
would be interesting to know either way!

 

The article I read was on the FSJ website....Full Size Jeep....took me a minute to figure it out.

 

Lifted this picture from a website I just found, this is very similar to the one in the junk yard.

 

There was a "different" power steering box on the early 230/327 FSJs - maybe that's the Ross unit. Don't know much about it except that these wagoneers/trucks do not have any place to mount a Saginaw box.

<edit> looks like the 230 trucks had Ross steering - no confirmation of power steering yet.

 

Response about Ross power steering on an FSJ:
http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=031256

So, Mike, does the setup you are thinking of have a slave cylinder?

 

It could have, I just remember seeing the hydraulic hoses and the larger ross box similar to the above. If I remember it did not have all the linkage that the cj's have. If I go back to the yard in a few weeks I will take a picture!!

 

Virtualy all early power steering setups were of a "power assist" design, using a power ram with the valving integerated in the draglink. This system was used in the 60's in virtualy all auto's and up through the early 70's in Ford trucks. While adaptable to other applications, they were bulky,complicated, and are now dated in design.