1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Ross steering w/ V6 = Issues???

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by Flat47, Apr 11, 2007.

  1. Apr 11, 2007
    Flat47

    Flat47 Member

    THE County, Maine
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2006
    Messages:
    172
    A question for those of you running a 225 in a Flattie:

    I just now realized a goof I made when I swapped in a 225 into my '47 CJ2A. I spent a good week measuring and dry fitting the 225 in the framerails before I welded in the motor mounts, and all seemed real good. Everything fit in nicely. Today I realized that the steering linkage hits the front of the bellhousing when turning to the left. When turning left, the Ross linkage pulls the drag liknk rear-ward...and that's where it comes to stop, squarely contacting the front of the bellhousing. Crap!

    So...what have all of you done differently to get everything to fit and work correctly (aside from a Saginaw swap...which I'd like to do, but haven't got the budget for)? Are the ECJ5 Ross arms/drag links different?
     
    Flat47, Apr 11, 2007
    #1
  2. Apr 11, 2007
    BlueComet

    BlueComet 1962 JEEP CJ-5

    Montrose, Colorado
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2006
    Messages:
    204
    Some of the ECJ5 Ross units were different: they made a slightly larger unit for the CJ5s that came with a factory V6. I think these may have some benefits, like better durability or seering 'feel', but I don't know if they would help you with your problem, though.
     
    BlueComet, Apr 11, 2007
    #2
  3. Apr 11, 2007
    Flat47

    Flat47 Member

    THE County, Maine
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2006
    Messages:
    172
    Okay...after some quick looking and measuring, it looks to me that my stock '47 CJ2A drag link is 25 3/4" end to end, while my stock '68 CJ5 V6 donor is 24 1/2" end to end. I think this may help me. Any input??

    I know some of the bell cranks were different through the years, but drag links?
     
    Flat47, Apr 11, 2007
    #3
  4. Apr 11, 2007
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    I've never done this swap, and I run saginaw steering in my flattie but I think you are on the right track here. However I'm thinking that the shorter drag link isn't going to be as much help as you would think; have you tried "clocking" the pitman arm one spline counter-clockwise on the sector shaft? The V6 equipped CJ-5s had a larger Ross-box and some other differing components. Perhaps this would be the way to go.
     
    w3srl, Apr 11, 2007
    #4
  5. Apr 11, 2007
    Bill F

    Bill F Finally running

    Hillsboro NH
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    588
    The cj5 also had a differnt ratio in the steering box, I think it would be to quick for the flatty
     
    Bill F, Apr 11, 2007
    #5
  6. Apr 13, 2007
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Peninsula, Ohio
    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2006
    Messages:
    1,740
    The drag link is different. It is shorter and the bell crank end is rotated i think 90 degrees because the bell crank is different so it won't just swap.
     
    mortten, Apr 13, 2007
    #6
  7. Apr 15, 2007
    Flat47

    Flat47 Member

    THE County, Maine
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2006
    Messages:
    172
    Indeed it is...I went to install the ECJ5 drag link into my 2A and was instantly obvious. So what I'm thinking of doing is cutting the ECJ5 drag link, thread it like a tie rod, and use a threaded clamp from a tie rod to reconnect it. I figure if that method works on tie rods it'll work on a drag link (same forces and motions). What do you all think?
     
    Flat47, Apr 15, 2007
    #7
New Posts