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1975 Cj5 258 Power Steering Conversion

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Steve Jeremy, Feb 8, 2021.

  1. Feb 8, 2021
    Steve Jeremy

    Steve Jeremy New Member

    Idaho
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    I am very new to this so please be gentle (it is my first time). I did try a search but could not find what I was looking for. My 1975 CJ5 did not come with power steering. I believe it is all original. I purchased a rebuilt power steering gear box that should be from one that was optional for this year. I purchased what should be a power steering pump with brackets (used) from one of the same year. I have the 258 engine. Mine does not have the bolt hole on the intake manifold. Everything else seems to line up. The fan pulley has only 1 groove. Can the power steering pump be run directly off the crank pulley or do I need a new fan pulley with 2 grooves?
     
  2. Feb 8, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Hi - Welcome from Boston.

    Generally, adding power steering on the V8s is easier than on the 258. Owners seem to have a lot of trouble collecting all the parts they need for the 258 conversion. Plus there seems to be a lot of demand for the 258 PS upgrade, and there are many fewer donor vehicles. 1975 was the first year where they moved the power steering pump to the driver's side of the engine. Generally, I would say you need the power steering gear, the power steering pump, the different bell coupler, the hoses, the pulleys and the the brackets from the donor. This is the '75-up pump mounting:

    258PS (600 x 446).jpg

    It's possible that Jeep used the manifold without the needed mounting holes on these engines. Can't say for sure without looking at the parts.

    Additionally, the steering gear mounting bracket for manual steering is different from power steering. The power steering gear uses 4 bolts, while the manual steering has 3. The power steering gear will bolt-up to the 3-bolt bracket, but one of the mounting bolt holes must be left empty.
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2021
  3. Feb 8, 2021
    Steve Jeremy

    Steve Jeremy New Member

    Idaho
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    Thank you for the reply. I have all of the items pictured and everything lines up but the top bolt hole in bracket 10431-1 in your picture does not have a bolt hole to line it up with. Looking at pictures of other Jeeps, there should be a bolt hole in the intake manifold to bolt it to. Mine does not have this hole. Also, the manual shows a fan pulley with 2 belt grooves so the fan belt goes over the fan pulley, down to the crank and back up to the power steering pulley. Mine does not have a 2 groove pulley.
     
  4. Feb 8, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Yes, you'll need the manifold with that boss and threaded hole. Possible you could drill and tap the manifold you have now if the boss is cast into the part. And you'll need the crank and water pump pulleys with the groove for the power steering pump belt.

    Looks like there is one crank pulley for all '75-up apps less AC. The water pump pulley is specific to PS, '75-up. Likely all this changes for 1981, but my books don't cover that.

    Is there any possibility you could take these parts from the donor that provided the power steering pump brackets?
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2021
  5. Feb 8, 2021
    Steve Jeremy

    Steve Jeremy New Member

    Idaho
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    Unfortunately, ebay... Turns out (probably should have looked first), it has the Clifford intake, exh. and newer carb. New manifold is about $430 but available. I still can't find an adapter plate to mount the new 4 bolt gear box where the 3 hole manual went. Everyone I can find is 71 and earlier or 76 and later and will not fit 72-75.
     
  6. Feb 8, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Someone was selling a fabricated replacement bracket for these Jeeps, but I don't know if it's still available. Otherwise, the only way you'll get a 4-bolt mounting is to sub a 4-bolt cast iron bracket from a '72-75 CJ that came from the factory with power steering. The 3-bolt bracket will work for power steering, but one of the bolt holes in the steering gear will be empty. Possible you could use the 3-bolt bracket and optionally add a steering gear support, available aftermarket. Yes, the bracket has to be '72-75.

    You should be able to find an iron intake manifold with the boss and tapped hole. I presume your Jeep still has the 1-barrel YF carburetor. I have a 2V manifold in my basement that's in poor condition, but I can show you a picture later. I have the '81-up manifolds on my J10, and they will work too, but the intake is aluminum and 2V type.

    Ask about the fan / water pump pulley from the donor. You need that too.
     
  7. Feb 8, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
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    You don’t need an adapter plate for the gear, it just bolts up using 3 bolts. The 4th isn’t used as Timgr mentioned. Did you already change the water pump to one optioned with ps to get the pump Mount bracket bolted to it?
     
  8. Feb 9, 2021
    Jeff Bromberger

    Jeff Bromberger Quarantined in the Garage

    Dallas Metroplex...
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    Here's something indirectly related...

    When I scrapped my original (1974) cracked block, I stripped off all of the front parts. In return, I got a 1975 block, and there were changes. The one I found most curious was that the water pump "adapter" that slips on the front and holds the pulley changed depth. It used to be shallower than it is now. Together with this, my crankshaft pulley had doubled up, and now there was a second raceway on the outside. Turns out, you needed the extra pulley for the fan belt to line up with the water pump and Delco Remo alternator. The inner raceway on the crank pulley is empty. Perhaps this is where the power steering belt might have lived...

    Doubt that I will get PS for my DJ, primarily because a right side power steering gearbox is supposed to be extremely rare, and I don't want to fabricate the parts to make a left side gearbox work...
     
  9. Feb 9, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    maybe one off of a DJ8? i guess that's what you mean by rare...

    apparently my dad had one of a few hundred 4WD DJ8's, which were available exclusively in alaska, and only made in '84
     
  10. Feb 9, 2021
    bigbendhiker

    bigbendhiker Member

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    Having never heard of a DJ8, I went to Google to see what I could learn. Here's what Wikipedia had to say;

    Alaska Postal Service[edit]
    A full-length steel hardtop CJ-8 was made for the Alaskan Postal Service, using right-hand drive and automatic transmissions. Instead of the rear tailgate, the steel hardtop used a hinged barn-door opening to the back. Only 230 were produced and sold in the U.S. It was also widely sold in Venezuela and Australia as the CJ8 Overlander, with small differences, including full-length rear windows on the Overlander.[77] Steel hardtops used on these postal Scramblers and Overlanders were known as "World Cab" tops.[78]

    From what I could find the DJ8 designation was very unofficial, the were more commonly called "Alaskan Postal Jeeps." Officially referred to as "CJ8's," basically a Scrambler with a full hardtop instead of the half cab. Which kinda makes sense. Since DJ's are 2 wheel drive versions of CJ's and I can't imagine a 2 wheel drive DJ being of much use in Alaska, they would choose to use a version of the CJ for mail delivery there.

    I was able to find a couple of pictures of the Alaskan Postal Jeeps. In the interior picture it does appear to have a transfer case shifter. Also notice in the exterior picture it has 7 slots as a CJ would have and not the 5 slotted DJ grille.


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
  11. Feb 9, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Note that GM Trucks from the mid 60's through the late 80's used a Saginaw 708 box that looks like a normal Saginaw box but the mounting ears are on the opposite side. It was mounted on the outside of the frame in the trucks instead of the inside.


    It seems like one of those would perfect for putting power steering in a RHD Jeep.
     
    sterlclan likes this.
  12. Feb 10, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    it's essentially a right hand drive CJ8, yes. i guess DJ isn't really the right name. anyway, he sold it for $800, all original, in half decent shape. i wish he'd kept it, it would be neat to have.
     
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  13. Feb 12, 2021
    Steve Jeremy

    Steve Jeremy New Member

    Idaho
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    I did not touch the water pump but the brackets bolt up fine everywhere but the manifold. The other parts must be correct.
     
  14. Feb 12, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
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    You may need to bend or weld up a bracket to Mount to the stud on top of the manifold without the factory vertical boss. In 08 I made a triangular bracket from 1/4” plate hanging just off the water pump to just get the keep going thinking I’d go back and build that bracket. Speaking of, I should do that one of these days. This certainly isn’t the correct situation but it’s worked for a long time.
     
  15. Feb 15, 2021
    Steve Jeremy

    Steve Jeremy New Member

    Idaho
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    Do you have a picture? I am having a difficult time visualizing. I do not have any studs on top of the manifold...
     
  16. Feb 19, 2021
    Steve Jeremy

    Steve Jeremy New Member

    Idaho
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    I installed the power steering gear box and the new steering shaft. When I went to hook up the power steering lines the connections are directly below the radiator with only about an inch of clearance. The new power steering hose seems to be too long like it was from the 71-74 version with the power steering pump on the passenger side. Mine is on the driver side. Any suggestions?
     
  17. Feb 20, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
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    It’sa close fit under the radiator. It’s worse off the grill Mount bushing isn’t in great shape. Otherwise that’s normal.

    For the hose you’ll need a ps hose for a 76-79 cj. I’m assuming you’re taking pressure or big hose. The other option may be to take it to your local auto friendly hydraulic shop to have the pressure side made. That way you know it’s a fit.
     
  18. Feb 20, 2021
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Like this ? :
     

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  19. Feb 23, 2021
    Steve Jeremy

    Steve Jeremy New Member

    Idaho
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    So, my power steering gearbox is not marked as to which connection is the high pressure connection. I know, the hoses should only go one way which is a different issue. The hose that should be the OEM, only fits under the radiator one way. The bend radius on the other end will not fit under the radiator. Someone in another thread suggests that the pressure fitting is forward and to the passenger side of the return fitting. This is the larger fitting which has the larger radius and will not fit under the radiator. The return fitting also will not fit under the radiator regardless.
     
  20. Feb 24, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
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    Do you have an aftermarket radiator?
     
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