Who's running manual steering?

My 62' has manual steering and a SBC-V8. Fine running around town. But when I air down for the trail it gets a little much. I was thinking about an engine swap to 4 cyl or power steering upgrade. My girlfriend likes the manual. "It adds to the experience." women So, I thought I'd take a poll. (leaving the street light behind)

 

Having had both manual and later power in my Jeeps I prefer power. Like you say, manual was fine around town, but the wheel kick-back on the trail was a real workout. The biggest advantage to power that I have seen is that there is no wheel kick on the trail.

 

Yep. Got to have power steering. Guess I'm the only one that has, and likes a fast ratio saginaw steering box.

 

Manual Saginaw or manual Ross (factory steering)? Manual Saginaw steering is a popular upgrade for CJs, especially when keeping the original 134 cid engine.

Manual Saginaw is ok. However, I like power steering. It will always be a small parasitic loss of power, but in most cases the benefits way outweigh the costs.

The cut-and-fill maneuver is much easier with power steering too.

 

I run the manual ross box but I also agree that power is a good addition, I get along ok with the ross box on the trail, any tire aired down will be difficult with the ross and requires a different handling technique. my rig is stock with standard size tires.

I think that in your case with the v8 and larger tires you will really like the power conversion

 

I have had no problems with my manual ross setup, the workout on the trail is just an added bonus, and totally manageable, (but again, thats with the f134)

 

If you are thinking about a lock-right up- grade to the front axle in the future, go with power steering for sure.

 

Nope, got one in the CJ-5. Mine came out of an '80 Firebird Turbo. A little twitchy if not used to it on the street but I really love it on the trail.

I agree with most others. Power is the way to go and I've also had both.

 

I have power steering in mine and would never change it.

I also have the tight ratio box. Was super twichy when I first started with it, now it just adds to the whole short wheelbase 4 wheeling experience R)

My buddy has a ford 289 v-8 in his 60 m38a1 with stock tires and manual steering, and he HATES it, and so do I.

Go with power steering, sooo much cheaper of an upgrade than an engine swap, too.

 

I put a manuel saggy box in my 3b and like it fine. way better then the stock steering. Braking down and adding power steering to the cj6 just to try it and also so the wife will wheel it more.

 

Thanks Nick for backing me up.R)

I like it on the trail too. Less turning of the steering wheel.

 

could power steering be applied to something like a l-head, or f-head. those engines had hydraulic options, I think the Myers plow was ran by a pump which was in turn ran by the belts. Power steering is just hydraulics right. i would think that would be possible.

 

I have the saginaw manual and I am dreaming of power steering especially after last year on the Rubicon where it beat me up by noon. I am about to start the t-18 upgrade and may not have time or funds to get to the power steering but it is next on the list. What era Buick motors should I find for the pump and box to swap fo rmy 225 v6? I have been told mid seventies to early 80's works well.

Peter

 

Manual here, though I’ve got a power steering gear-box and a pump to convert just done it yet.
If your girlfriend likes the manual steering put a Power Lok LSD in the front and see what she thinks.
After an hour or so of wheeling I’m literally panting from trying to muscle this sucker around.

 

I have a manual saginaw box and like it. I have thought about power steering but never got around to it. I have a spare box which was a power one. Don't know the ratio though. With my :v6: and 34x9.50r15 tsl's I don't have too much of a problem. I just drive it like a 9N.R)

 

I am in the middle of a power steering conversion in my '65 with the 134F. I bought an 84 AMC Eagle with the whole works. Come to find out, that particular box was used on MANY vehicles including, but not limited to the XJ Cherokee and newer Gm light trucks.
http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductGuide.aspx?mfrcode=A1C&mfrpartnumber=277525
I will have to fabricate the bracket for the power steering pump, but I won't sweat the small details. I am in the middle of modifying my dash panel to accept the tilt steering column.

 

Sounds like a split down the middle. One thing I did hear was the narrower the tire, the easier the steering. The more aggressive you go, tires front lockers, big engine, the harder it is to steer.
I do have another question......Saginaw gearbox (whats the part number?) Close ratio steering (whats do you call close?) What you be a smooth ratio for street, highway and off-road?