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Power steering swap on a '73

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Agar426, Oct 22, 2004.

  1. Oct 22, 2004
    Agar426

    Agar426 Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2004
    Messages:
    270
    I've got a '73 CJ-5, 304, 3 speed, that I picked up a couple of months ago, and am starting to make plans for this coming spring when I should be able to get started on it.

    One of the things I want to do is convert it to power steering. From what I understand, this shouldn't be as involved a swap as it would be on a pre '71, since it should already have a Saginaw style setup, correct?

    Would it be easier to buy aftermarket components such as those from AGR and Flaming River, or should I try and find a wrecked Jeep with power steering and pirate its components? I've got a friend who has a rolled '74 CJ-5 that was power steering equipped from the factory, and although he has sold the engine, tranny, and transfer case, the rest is intact, including the power steering box and the bracket that mounts it to the frame (which is hard to come by from what I've been told...please confirm this if possible). The only problem is that he wants to sell the entire Jeep ($700), and won't part it out. All I need is the box and bracket (although the front Dana 30 may be a handy swap for my '46 CJ2A...hmmmnn). Anyhow, $700 goes a long ways towards the AGR/Flaming river stuff, and it would all be brand new. Even going aftermarket, would I still need the factory steering box mount, or does AGR include that?

    Anyhow, I am basically looking for advice on how to get power steering onto my CJ-5, with safety/quality being the first priority, and cost second.

    I appreciate any advice that you may be able to provide.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Oct 22, 2004
    BESRK

    BESRK New Member

    Newport News, VA
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2002
    Messages:
    17
    Shouldn't be too hard to find a mount. Check on eBay under "jeep steering box" . I saw some stock mounts and some of the hefty aftermarket mounts (about $100 but tough as nails) on there a couple of days ago.
     
  3. Oct 24, 2004
    justin

    justin New Member

    washington
    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2004
    Messages:
    14
    700 bucks is not a lot for a LOT of parts that could come in useful or be sold off. The power steering conversion is not that difficult. The factory cast mount is DIFFICULT to locate. I searched for one for 4 months and finally broke down and built a custom mount. Then about 2 1/2 months later found 2 in the local paper. They are hit and miss though. I called all over the country to wrecking yards and distributors.
    As for the AGR - a buddy with an 63 CJ5 says its the biggest waste of $1000 dollars he's done.
     
  4. Oct 25, 2004
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    Correct - the four-bolt cast bracket is hard to find. The 3-bolt bracket used for manual steering will work - I believe that's what member Karl (iamgeer) did with his. The rest of the stuff is standard GM/Saginaw, obtainable at a junk yard. Use the 3-bolt mount and put a brace from the pitman arm end of the steering gear to the opposite frame rail.

    BTW most (all?) of the aftermarket steering brackets available are for the '76 or later CJ-5, and are different from the '72-75 models.
     
  5. Oct 25, 2004
    Agar426

    Agar426 Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2004
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    270
    Thanks for all of the responses! So, exactly what is it about the AGR stuff that makes it a waste of money?
     
  6. Oct 25, 2004
    justin

    justin New Member

    washington
    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2004
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    14
    I would start with what you are planning to do with your jeep? The buddy that bought the system is mostly a mud and trail driver, not hard core rockcrawling or competition driver. When he purchased the kit, he was expecting a totally different handling performance and a easy bolt on (basically) kit. The kit is a new pump, lines, box, and ram. But do not be misled into thinking this is hydraulic steering! This is not and one of the biggest misconceptions. This is what THEY call hydraulic assist. It is a high output pump going to a small ram that attaches to the draglink. It helps slightly in the mud and snow when you have little resistance to the tires. But it is not the system where you can move the vehicle sideways with the front tires.
    From his reactions and from what I could tell from his driving and handling, your better off with a good stock or high performance setup and you can save money. The other thing was he had to search for the right pulley to set it up on his motor, the welding of the ram to the front axle wasn't fun because the angle had to be adjusted multiple time for proper travel without binding, etc, etc.
    Good luck.
     
  7. Oct 25, 2004
    Agar426

    Agar426 Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2004
    Messages:
    270
    Justin,

    Are you referring to AGR's "rock-ram" setup, or just their plain ol' box and pump? I was looking at their box and pump, which look just like rebuild stock units, and was hoping to couple it to flaming river's column and shaft setup. i would like a tilt column, but it is not a necessity.
     
  8. Oct 26, 2004
    justin

    justin New Member

    washington
    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2004
    Messages:
    14
    The setup my friend bought was their RockRam kit. The box and pump setup is basically like you said, a rebuilt stock unit. They are supposed to be better, but I do not know of anyone currently running them. The flaming river's column and shaft setup is nice. I personnally wasnt going to part with the bucks. So I went to searching the junkyards. A mid 80's S-10 pickup or Jimmy, and a Bronco II's setup works quite well. For 200 bucks I got a full tilt column with brackets, pedals and hangers, brake booster and proportioning valve and lines, column shafts and brackets, and box. I've done this setup on a couple of Jeeps and it works out really nice and clean. Just personal preference and what you want for what kinda money.
     
  9. Oct 26, 2004
    HighSchoolCJ5

    HighSchoolCJ5 Revived Member

    DFW Airport...
    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2004
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    28
    So which way do you recommend going, aftermarket or scrapping for leftover parts?? Might be needing to do this exact thing on my '73 later...
     
  10. Oct 26, 2004
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    Hey Justin do you have plans for the mount you made?? I was looking at the one they sell and know i can make one, but dont have any measurments to go by
     
  11. Oct 26, 2004
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Messages:
    2,706
    hey look in the tech section.

    [​IMG]

    thats the bracket. there are 2 other images for other parts. it does not look very hard exept the spud shaft.

    edit: sorry if i appear snappy. math HW getting to me. really i should not say anything i always get told " look in the tech section"
     
  12. Oct 26, 2004
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    That is the saginaw conversion. The mount he used is the one that bolts to the later cjs. i have th esheet metal bracket that bolts to the bottom of the frame rail and the top crossmember. There are companies that make this mount for the sum of $120
     
  13. Oct 26, 2004
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
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    2,706
    ah. i thought Highschool was asking about making a kit. sorry again about being snappy.
     
  14. Oct 26, 2004
    HighSchoolCJ5

    HighSchoolCJ5 Revived Member

    DFW Airport...
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    Oct 5, 2004
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    nope
     
  15. Nov 1, 2004
    justin

    justin New Member

    washington
    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2004
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    Sorry its been a few days since I checked the forum.
    Highschool, currently I am running the bracket I made. I broke 2 of the two piece 76 and up brackets. They a made out of thin plate and I wouldn't recommend them to no one. Either find a older cast model or make one. I've heard that Sam's Offroad in Oklahoma makes a good one for about $150.
    As for my preference------ save the money for other stuff. I would go through the junkyards and find a complete setup for a couple hundred.
     
  16. Nov 4, 2004
    HighSchoolCJ5

    HighSchoolCJ5 Revived Member

    DFW Airport...
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    Oct 5, 2004
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    okay, thanks...and btw, where exactly is Sam's Offroad in Oklahoma?
     
  17. Nov 4, 2004
    LWB

    LWB ..they call me "Cooter"

    Chicago
    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2003
    Messages:
    206
    Just swap on a 3 bolt GM box, cut the tip off the input shaft, and get the correct end for the steering shaft.

    A little more complex than that, but not much. I've done it several times now.
     
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