Manual Saginaw Steering Questions

Putting a power steering pump on a F134 is not trivial, since it never came from the factory with power.

 

My 70 with V6 has manual Saginaw steering...I used an intermediate CJ steering gear mounting bracket, bolted to the frame and my Warn winch mounting bracket. I used a Borgeson CJ7 steering shaft, (found it on CL for cheap) with a different yoke on the bottom to mate with the manual gear. I used a postal Jeep column (difficult to find these days) to keep the stock look. This combo allowed me to keep the stock motor mount, stock exhaust, and stock front crossmember.
Power steering is in my future plans...as far as I can tell, all I will need to change will be the u-joint at the steering gear.

 

I did my first Saginaw steering conversion in 1977. I used an OEM intermediate bracket (from the dealer parts counter) to mount the steering box to the frame. Yes, I added additional bracing over to the other frame rail. I used a '60's Cadillac tilt/tele column, but thats another story.
I used a power steering box out of a '69 Impala which of course bolted on the Jeep brackets. I looped a line from the pressure side straight to the return on the steering box, after filling the box with PS fluid.
Though I had the power steering pump and brackets for my 215 engine, I never installed it or hooked it up. I ran "manual" steering with the power box for many years as I never really needed the power assist.
Just food for thought, install the power box, but you don't need to connect it right away. At least its already installed when you want to go to power steering.
-Donny

 

That's brilliant!

 

I converted my ‘57 to manual steering with Herm’s Ford saginaw setup. It steers nice. I don’t have any plans to convert to power steer. I used a cheapy summit column and borg rod and joints.

Watch your exhaust, engine mount and fuel pump. It gets really tight right there.

That being said, I wonder if you can use a HiLo to run the gear on the power setup.

 

Today I just found yet ANOTHER manual gearbox in my shed with a nice Borgeson already on it -- plus 2 foot of 3/4 round shaft that is dowel keyed. (Jeep hoarding, the gift that never stops giving)

I may end up swapping that on -- however, after the suggestion above to mount the power gear and run in "arm-strong steering" mode is a really good idea!

(yeah, I have one of those in the shed too)

I ran my last 2A on a manual saggy (arm-strong steering) and it was actually really easy to steer even w/33's

back to the garage!

 

So did you fill the box with PS fluid and cap the ports?

 

You need a slip joint or rag joint of some kind in there....

 

No, if you cap the ports, the box will hydraulicly bind up. I filled the box with steering fluid/ATF, and looped a line from the pressure port to the return port. The fluid has to circulate as the box is operated.
-Donny

 

Yeah, I was surprised how well it steered with manual steering, to the point where I might put manual steering on other rigs lol

 

Most manual boxes are easy 6.5 turns lock-to-lock compared to power at 3.5-4.5 turns. After spending the weekend wrestling the power steering box fit, I am going back to manual since it is bolt on. the 2A cross member was a major obstacle as-well-as the bumper bracket. I didnt want to cut it up.

Besides, my last 2A with this manual setup flat-towed so well on turns! I believe its the 6.5 turn rate

In my shed finds I found a pristine (read: non leaker) 1950's Saggy box with a top fill plug never seen that before). It operated so smooth that I couldn't turn it down. My previous one was loose and seeping. Very unique looking because it is slightly angled -- web searching I found it was used on 1956 Buicks -- so appropriate match to the engine too! Pics soon!

 

SOONER!!!

 

For as old as this supposedly is, quite pristine and smooth operating (6.5 lock-to-lock). Note the fill cap and casting angle -- very unique! Attached is a Borgeson type joint that has "Spicer" stamped on the bearing caps. It was as-is tack welded to the splined input -- which will work for me. Its also has a long enough 3/4 round intermediate. I can't remember where I got it, but best of the 3 I had -- and yet the oldest! Best part, no drip drip!