Saginaw box, but which one? Help.

Okay I know I have not put many pictures up for my build yet but I have them, It is just getting the time to post them. The problem I have right now is with the steering box. When I bought this cobbled up 1970 Jeep CJ5, it had a Saginaw box conversion on it. It was done poorly by the P.O. and I had to remove the old mount and strengthen it. The box does not have any play and feels real good with just a small bit of friction right in the middle so I was planning on replacing seals and running it. It is a Saginaw box, #5671818. Which none of the vendors that sell parts for the Saginaw 525 or 122 boxes had heard of. I sent Borgeson a message asking them if they had parts or could rebuild it or sell me a new box and they were not too helpful other than telling me they have never heard of that casting number. The worm shaft is 7-3/4" long, 3/4" diameter 36 spline. The Sector shaft is from what I can tell 1-1/8th 32 spline. I can take it in to a supply house here and get seals, but would I be better off replacing this with a 525 box and a spud shaft? The mounts on the back of it are flush with the box so if I go with a new 525 box( which is what I thought I had when I rebuilt the mount) I will have to re-do the mount and install some raised bosses to mount the box securely. Anyone seen a box like this? Should I run it? the lube looked was kind of brown under the seal so I figured I could flush it and refill with fresh and hope for the best. What so you all think? I will be running a mid sixties 283 V8, also came in it and had to redo the frame mounts on that too. But the heads have no mounting bosses so power steering is out at this point. The pitman arm is a strange shape too. It worked with the DANA 27 that was under it before although I now have a DANA 30 under the front. Any advice? Change to 525 or run this one?
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Personally I would convert it over to power steering , one of the best mods ever on a CJ........also with the extra weight of the V8 I think it's a good addition.......Power steering mounts for that are everywhere using something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-56-57-...-SWP-LWP-/320848749081?_trksid=p2054897.l4275) the two front bolts in the block that in some early applications like in the 1955 and later models used with the 265.........they also hook up to the water pump bolts....Alternator would go on the passenger side.......series 800 power 4-bolt Saginaw box would be my choice and all would easily adapt to the Dana 30.........Yes you will have to rework your mount and input steering shaft along with getting a new Pittman Arm........but I believe it's well worth it.

 

power steering. just do it. its worth every second of effort.

 

Well, I know the wife would appreciate the power steering on the rare occasions she drives it so even though I would have to redo work on the frame and repaint but at this point that is just extra time since it is only partially together. I don't have the steering shaft yet so that is not a big deal. what was keeping me from power steering is that I was concerned with fitting the power steering components onto the engine and the routing of the lines under the grill. But might as well go all the way since I am there anyway. Just a little more cutting and welding at this point. Thanks for the info guys.

 

Probably a moot point now as it appears you have a plan in place, but to answer one of your questions, the steering box is a manual Saginaw from about a 1958 Chevrolet. I used one for many years until I upgraded to my current setup.

 

Look in the Builds & Fabricator Forum under Saginaw Power Steering...........plenty of examples of how some of the folks installed there's..................
Routing the lines under the grill is not necessary if you choose the mounting location of the steering gear wisely in reference to the angle to the firewall & position needed for the Pittman arm / Drag Ling to properly intersect with the two hole spindle on the passengers side while also giving needed clearance to the Tie Rod..........these photo's are of a 65 CJ using a Dana 30 axle , the Lines come up inside the engine compartment. A little trimming of the bottom flange of the grill and the use of a pair of 90 degree fittings will get you to the pump cleanly with no problem.

 

What i did is not ideal or beautiful, but does work. The most irritating part was routing the lines but after the first drive I was sold. make sure you reinforce the front frame. I just welded in some square tube and will be adding another brace for sure.



All that steering linkage and the d25 is going away as I am putting together a d30 with all the stock steering components.