58 CJ5 steering to 73 CJ manual box?...but wait theres more!

I have been searching but still hesitant about what I need to do with my project and hoping to nail down an answer on the the steering conversion.

Question is: Will a 1973 CJ manual box work on my 75 DJ5 Frame (postal) Left hand drive conversion AND THEN can I later move that same 1973 manual box and steering components over to my 1958 CJ5 frame?

Using the postal column, shaft and joints for both projects.

Please see here to see what I'm up too and why I ask: http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/showthread.php?100764-Multistage-Willys-CJ5-project-amp-Intro

Very appreciative of any help I receive. If anyone knows, its gotta be the folks on this great forum. (yes i'm kissing up on this one)

 

The '73 CJ manual steering gear is a plain Saginaw steering gear, not different from any other. You'll need to build a mount for both applications. The '73 steering bracket will not fit in the '58 frame, or the DJ frame (I presume). You'll have to work out the connection to the steering shaft.

 

"steering bracket" Is this something that is part of the frame or something that in a stock application adapts the box to the frame?
Since i don't have a manual box in front of me, i'm not sure about the connection of box to steering shaft but I do have everything that came off the 75 DJ5 steering and i Thought the manual LHD CJ box would bolt up to the RHD intermediate shaft and u-joint/rag joint assy?
Thanks for the info!

 

The bracket is between the steering gear and the frame. It's a big cast bracket on a '73. Some have spliced the front frame horns and front crossmember off the donor to the earlier frame, and it will fit that way.

Don't know about the RHD parts, sorry.

 

As Tim mentioned above both would require a frame bracket which would be welded to the left hand front frame horn in either application. In this type of Mod some things may interchange and other parts may not............as far as the steering gear it would go on either vehicle...............The manual Saginaw gear box is a much welcomed improvement over the stock Ross steering...........but off road the Saginaw manual is still tough to steer at low speeds..............if your going through the exercise I would just go Saginaw Power Steering ..............by far the best improvement!

 

good info! Thanks! This CJ will probably see limited off road action, mostly just mining roads and easy trails so power steering isn't wanted....(hope I don't regret that some day but if so, upgrades are fun!) and I also plan on keeping the stock 134 and don't want anything robbing power from the motor. Old school style w/ minor safety upgrades is the plan on this build.

 

Totally understand...........had a 4 Banger in my 65 CJ when new..........took it hunting at altitude several times and even rejetted the carb , but that 75 HP @ sea level was about 1/2 at 9000 ft.............came back and put a Buick V6 in it and the Saginaw manual box......now I'm doing Power Steering and Disc's...................Have Fun!