Herm's power steering kit pics

I just finished installing Herm's kit on my jeep .i never posted pics before if it doesn't work i will try it again.

 

Look good, tight fit! Are you going to run man. or headers?

 

Anybody driving with this setup? any impressions?

Seems like a good idea.
Getting ready to get my parts together for mine.

Was thinking s10 variable steering box.

But this could be good too...

 

I don't get it...
What I don't get is how the kit will work properly. I understand the box is behind the front crossmember, this is easy access for the steer shaft without going thru the crossmember. What I don't get is how the suspension is suppose to work. Tie rod and drag link should be parallel or bump steer appears, with this kit that can't happen without limiting the up travel. Everytime the suspension cycles up, it's going to hit the pitman arm. OK maybe with a RS conversion the axle would move up and back to a higher point on the pitman and "may not" hit. With the Shackles forward it's all but driving the axle housing into the pitman are.

The only way I see this working is with angle on the drag link? am I wrong?
Please tell me I'm missing something.

 

If memory serves, the kit uses a Ford steering box, which is reverse rotation from a GM Saginaw box. In other words, the pitman arm goes forward off the box. I considered it for my conversion but decided against it. But I'd reconsider if I do another one.

Hope that helps.

 

The theory is, it tracks better, not so darty .
Herm says you can drive with just a finger on the wheel.
And behind the crossmember is more stable for frame flex ect.
Plus out of harms way.

But so far I havnt heard of anyone having drove one installed yet, here.

I think a few have put it in but not a driver yet.

 

I looked at the kit, web picture usually don't don't tell the whole story but,
The pitman arm crosses the tierod. With the tierod and pitman arm parallel, I'm guessing but there can't be much more than 1" maybe 2" between a moving axle and a solid mounted pitman arm. OK there is a pretty good angle that will give it a little more clearance.

Now that I think about it more, a drop pitman would help give the clearance needed, a new pitman comes with the kit just thought it was fairly flat.

 

Mine is not nearly as darty since I put on a lower pitman arm. It was a bit of a handful before.

 

I have Herm's kit on my 69 CJ5 and love it. I also installed his tie rod kit at the same time. It is a one finger steerer now. I took off the steering damper and have not missed it at all. Very satisfied with the install. Yes it is a tight fit but it does fit. I have headers and I think manifolds might be a problem.

 

does anyone have a link to get more info on this setup. I might need to rethink my power steering upgrade.

 

http://www.hermtheoverdriveguy.com/

I'm really not a fan of this system. I like the idea of where the box is mounted being more stable but creating even more lack of space under the hood is an issue for me as it could eliminate the possibility of adding PTO winch and stuff like that whereas the standard saginaw conversion is not really an issue. The other thing I don't like is as the steering box rotates, the tie rod and the tie rod end at the pitman arm is actually getting closer to the tie rod. With the regular saginaw conversion the drag link and tie rod end get farther away as the steering box is turned lessening the possibility of the two making contact under suspension flex. There's a lot of thought that went behind Herm's system, but I'm not sold on it. My saginaw conversion I can turn with one finger too and drives just fine down the road. Nickmil

 

Here you go.

http://www.hermtheoverdriveguy.com/

By the way I have bought stuff from Herm.
And so have others here, good guy, good products.
IMHO

It says its for v6 setup not much room otherwise.
I am doing an axle under so I think that would make a little more room for tierod.
Still thinking on it..

 

Hah! beat you to it!R) I agree, Herm's a great guy. Known him for a LOT of years. He really stands behind his products too. Just don't like the steering system. Nickmil

 

I have talked on the phone with him lots,
would be good guy to wheel with I bet.

I am not sold either but there are some good benefits there forsure.

I think the darty thing is when you use a quick ratio box, instead of the big car 4 hole box.

But I also think the s10 4x4 box has merit with its variable ratio.

Mine is all ripped out and new camaro tilt colum half way in. NOTE: not a good idea if you need to turn you rig around and put it back in garage.

Just need to buy a box and ujoints $$.

 

OK, been thinking on how this world work and I think I'm with nikmil.

Good:
My thoughts, it's an easy system to install, no messing with the front crossmember
keep the rig "stock" looking front frame
and probably drives just fine at stock height.
extra strength in the frame were it is mounted.

Bad:
Still not totally convinced of the tie rod clearance
engine bay room
and if a rig is lifted more than a couple of inches, believe this setup would cause problems.

Definitely applaud Herm for thinking outside the box and offering a product that will fill a niche market.

As for darty steering, just about anything is better than the stock ECJ steering.

 

I will post more pics soon .It does drive very good.I have a 2.5 " lift .I used a stock manifold off a 3.8 .steering is a little faster than stock but still ok.Herm's tie rod kit fits but is very close at rh tie rod end.space is tight but it works.Herm says a pto winch has clearance.

 

Lets see if these pics work

 

http://www.hermtheoverdriveguy.com/

I dealt with him on a used overdrive I bought on the ECJ5 classified section a while back and he was very helpful even though I didn't buy from him. That's a sign of a classy guy, in my opinion.

 

tinker , I'm not sure I like the number of U-joints in the last photo. You have a lot of failure points there.

 

pardon my ignorance, is this for the ross steering box?