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Saginaw Power Steering (pics) Please Add Yours!

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Mcruff, Aug 5, 2005.

  1. Feb 12, 2021
    Duff

    Duff Member

    Trump Country
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2021
    Messages:
    68
    Lots of ideas here, Thanks for posting!
     
  2. Aug 4, 2021
    Cunder_Tunt_559

    Cunder_Tunt_559 New Member

    FRESNO
    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2021
    Messages:
    19
    So ill post my Saginaw steering. im going for a more basic restomod. no big power, no massive tires, not super heavy weight, and the chevy 153 im swapping didn't have a power steering pump anyway, and i didnt want to find one and the bracket. so i want to turners in Fresno and found a almost new Saginaw 525 manual box. spun it by hand and it felt tight, so for the low price of $60 it was mine. I boxed the frame forward of the front crossmember so the box could tuck inside the frame a little bit , and braced it by welding on a new bumper made from 4" channel, which is easily 3x thicker than the original bumper. I then drilled out some 7/8" round stock in the lathe to make the bolt holds that get welded to the frame. My father whos been a welder fabricator longer than ive been alive looked at the mounts and thought they were factory, so i think they will work alright. i drilled holes into the side of the crossmember so the steering box shaft could pass through, and a large hole in the top to tighten down the coupler. i made the intermediate shafts out of 1' cold rolled steel welded to U joints and cross pinned through the shafts for just in case. i supported the end of the long shaft with a stabilizer mounted to an old unused motor mount on the frame. then modified the original steering column to work with the new system. i also added the two hole hubs and 11" brakes from a '68 Wagoneer that i also got from turners for $400 for the whole axle. result: such a huge improvement. the old ross box had more slop in it than a prison cafeteria. i can one hand the wheel and turn the tires at a complete stop.

    PICTURES:

    IMG_20210804_090250~2.jpg

    IMG_20210804_090301.jpg

    IMG_20210804_090311~2.jpg

    IMG_20210804_090319~2.jpg
     
    melvinm and dozerjim like this.
  3. Aug 5, 2021
    dozerjim

    dozerjim Member

    western New York
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    966
    Nice Job,well done (y)
     
  4. Aug 5, 2021
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2006
    Messages:
    2,754
    very nice work!
     
  5. Aug 19, 2021
    4S50

    4S50 I’m back!

    Idaho
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2002
    Messages:
    123
    I had ditched the Ross steering and used an AA bushing and U-joint to keep the original column and steering wheel, and converted to manual Saginaw when I did the second frame swap, about 2001, or so. I kept the manual Saginaw when I upgraded to the Matkins frame, and that is what was on the Jeep when I sold in 2005. I was never happy with the manual steering; while fine on the street, it beat me up and worked me pretty hard on the trail.
    I just finished converting to power steering and it is a 100% improvement! The only parts that I had to change when converting from manual to power were the pitman arm and steering shaft to gear U-joint. Thanks to Kyle (Norcal69) for your help!
    I used the following parts:
    Lares 1231 steering gear (1984 CJ 7)
    Lares 12577 pump (1984 CJ 7)
    Crown 5145095 pitman arm
    Borgeson 015240
    I also used lines for a CJ7, but am going to change the pressure line to a YJ line for better clearance.
     
    melvinm, Norcal69 and colojeepguy like this.
  6. Oct 29, 2021
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2008
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    2,169
    Looks good to me. My only comment is if your support is attached to the engine block, will it influence your steering with engine torque?
     
  7. Oct 29, 2021
    RedWing

    RedWing Member

    Sutton Bay
    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2005
    Messages:
    564

    It’s punted on the bottom of the motor mount. Do you think there will be much movement there? You bring up a great point I hadn’t thought of.
     
  8. Oct 30, 2021
    1947cj2a

    1947cj2a Member

    PNW
    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2017
    Messages:
    223
    for a 2a, but it gives ideas. I wanted to keep the factory horn. A lot of the welding and extra steel has been cleaned up since this. Using a AA parts to mount the column to the body. Steering shaft is from a 99 dodge diesel, box I am not sure but its jeep.

    [​IMG]

    Edit:
    I also added the front tube as a cross member to strength the frame. I have seen this done several ways. I borrowed this idea from my TJ. ts well hidden behind the bumper
     
    melvinm likes this.
  9. Nov 5, 2021
    RedWing

    RedWing Member

    Sutton Bay
    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2005
    Messages:
    564
     
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  10. Dec 16, 2021
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2006
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    2,754
    melvinm likes this.
  11. Dec 16, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    dnb71R2, jeepstar and Norcal69 like this.
  12. Dec 16, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
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    3,547
    X2
    Unless you buy the really expensive heims, use dust boots and lube them often.... Heims are a waste of time on a street rig and will wear out very quick. Trail only rig they are just fine.
     
    jeepstar likes this.
  13. Dec 16, 2021
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2006
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    good to know!!

    You think these heavy duty heim joints wear out as well?
     
  14. Dec 16, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
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    If you don't keep the dust/dirt out, they will wear out fairly quick.
    For track bars, 4 links ect... you wont really notice the wear. On steering components you will notice the wear at highway speed.
    Barnes is selling 4 rod ends (heim joints), misalignment spacers, tube sleeves and nuts for $166......
    USA made rod ends from FK brand (this is your life at 60mph... don't be cheap) retail for a little over $60 each. That's $244 just in rod ends.
    I have a hard time believing that the rod ends Barnes is using are of high quality. They may have the load rating, but likely wont have the longevity of standard taper tie rod ends.
     
    jeepstar likes this.
  15. Dec 16, 2021
    Cunder_Tunt_559

    Cunder_Tunt_559 New Member

    FRESNO
    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2021
    Messages:
    19
    you can buy heim joint boots and cover the joint with heavy grease before putting the boot on. we do this on some of our brush shredders around the farm. just take the boots off, clean the joints, add new grease, and put boot back on once a year. youll have no problems.
     
  16. Jun 19, 2022
    Fastford5913

    Fastford5913 New Member

    Bakersville nc
    Joined:
    May 29, 2022
    Messages:
    16
    Has anyone done a steering swap with the body on their jeep,all of the swaps I see seem to have the body off. Any info will be appreciated
     
  17. Jun 19, 2022
    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
    I don't know if they are body-off so much as front clip off. It's easy to remove the front fenders and grille, and should simplify this project. You kinda need the body on to mate the column to the steering gear.
     
  18. Jun 19, 2022
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    you can do most of it with drivers fender off
    grill shell might need to be removed too . so as shaft might go through cross member (welding)
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  19. Jun 20, 2022
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
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    5,466
    Anything is doable - if your willing to contort your body and have the right tools. I've found with the many I've done it takes less time and work to pull the driver fender at a minimum - the grill depending on how you route the shafts and PS hoses.

    My process is Box the front - fit the box used - port the shaft and spud through cross member - fit column - figure shaft needs and fab.
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  20. Jun 20, 2022
    Cunder_Tunt_559

    Cunder_Tunt_559 New Member

    FRESNO
    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2021
    Messages:
    19
    You can do it with the body on if dont want/have to modify the front cross member. ive seen people fab brackets where the steering box hangs on the frame rail rite in front of the grille and low enough that the steering shaft can clear under the cross member. after that you can pull the steering column to modify that to work with the new steering box. this method is easier with a manual box tho.
     
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