1974 cj5 steering box? help

I am new to the site so i'll 1st say "hello". My question is I have a 1974 cj5 and I wanted to update the steering, so i used a column and shaft out of a 86 cj7, then I noticed that the steering box is a 3 bolt and the spud shaft is 11/16 instead of 13/16. It looks like this is the original setup but everything i've seen says that 72' to 86' steering boxes are the same. I found that a 85' ford pickup is a 3 bolt and has a 13/16 spud shaft, will this work with my jeep column and shaft ? What are my options if any ? I would rather just stick with the 3 bolt if I can find a box that will work, and I really dont want to pay the big money for a custom shaft. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome from Boston.

You were on the right track with the CJ-7 parts - the steering gears are the same. The difference is between power and manual. The manual steering uses a bracket with 3 bolt holes, and Jeep power steering has 4 bolts, but the bolt pattern is the same. They both bolt up in place of each other with no changes other than one more or less bolt. The flex coupler that connects the shaft to the steering gear is different from power to manual. Both styles of flex coupler are available from aftermarket sources - no need to swap the column; the original column will work fine. I believe you also need the original style pitman arm.

I wouldn't even consider the Ford gear. Might work with some modification to the mounting, but it would be waaaay more work than using the Saginaw parts.

 

Hey Timgr, If I understand you correctly I can remove the 3 bolt bracket and bolt up my 4 bolt bracket from the cj 7. I was thinking I would have to box in my frame, thats what I get for thinking. Thanx for your help.

 

Nope. The brackets are totally different.

The steering gear pattern is the same, not the bracket. Leave the 3-bolt bracket in place and bolt up the power steering gear.

 

O.K. now I got ya thanx alot Timgr.