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Power steering conversion

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by xlr8n, Sep 15, 2005.

  1. xlr8n

    xlr8n Member

    I'm new to the forum and new to Jeeps. I picked up a '75 CJ5 with plans on upgrading at least three major items. The first being Power Steering. I picked up a used P/S gear box and pump w/ brackets from a '78 model CJ to fit the 304CID.

    My question pertains to the steering shaft. WIll I be able to use my old manual steering shaft or can I simply change the lower coupler? Or worse will I have to pick up a complete shaft for a '78 or '75 model CJ?

    Any light on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

    The other upgrades are going to be front discs and then a 4 speed tranny. Probably in that order.
     
  2. JeepManEd

    JeepManEd New Member

    NIce! Your steering conversion will go fine, you will need the coupler though and you can change yours on the end with the p/s one from the 78 cj. The disc brake is a bolt-on also if you get the parts from a 77, 78 cj or knuckles and all from the 79 and new ones. Good luck.
     
  3. xlr8n

    xlr8n Member

    Thanks for the info. I'll order a new coupler and hopefully have all the parts together for a "turn key" operation. Yeah right!
     
  4. lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Good luck, keep us posted, take pics, let us know if any questions... :beer: :)
     
  5. xlr8n

    xlr8n Member

    Would anyone know if a D35 disc setup bolt up to my D30 drums?
     
  6. lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

  7. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Only Dana 35 disk setups I know of are aftermarket conversions?
     
  8. mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    And ZJs Sparky. We got the great dana 35 in the back of the grand with disks.
     
  9. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Aren't all the D35s 5 on 4.5? That could make the swap more difficult/expensive.
     
  10. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Doh! I forgot. :rofl:

    Tim's right they're 5 on 4.5 though.
     
  11. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Some states won't pass a vehicle for state inspection if the rotors have been welded or redrilled. Found that one out the hard way.... :rofl:
     
  12. xlr8n

    xlr8n Member

    I would like announce, thanks to input from everyone, that I now have power steering. :) Although it came after removing a dead snake from the return hose and replacing the pitman shaft seal, since it was leaking like a stuck pig. I must say that the handling of the ol' CJ5 has never been better. All the bump steering is gone and it doesn't wonder nearly as much. I am very happy with the results but have a small issue maybe some of you can help me with. :?

    After counting steering wheel revolutions, I am getting about 1.75 turns to the right and about 1.25 turns to the left and the steering wheel is straight on going down the road. Is there a way to adjust this in the gearbox? Keep in mind that I am not 100% sure that I didn't have this problem with the manual setup.
     
  13. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Your probably hitting the steering stops on the front axle and not the internal stops for the steering box. You may have to check to see if the piman arm is aligned straight for the box as in the master tooth is lined up when the steering wheel is straight.
     
  14. xlr8n

    xlr8n Member

    With the wheels straight and the steering wheel straight, the pitman arm is skewed slightly in one direction (towards the drivers side). To straighten the steering wheel after the installation, I had to adjust the linkage. It is sounding like I should put the linkage back where it was. But if I do this then my steering wheel will be about 1/4 to 1/2 turn off. I believe the steering wheel is keyed such that I cannot simply pull it and reposition it.

    Any suggestions?
     
  15. jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    Your column steering shaft is keyed and not splined?
     
  16. xlr8n

    xlr8n Member

    I ended up aligning the pitman arm straight which in turn allowed 1.75 revolutions of the steering wheel in both directions. Once the steering was centered I then tackled the steering wheel which was now about 180 degrees off. Since it is a Grant aftermarket steering wheel, I pulled the five symmetrical bolts that hold it down and was able to simply rotate the wheel back to straight and then bolt it back on. This must be a Grant thing which made it much easier to align than expected.

    All is goodness now. I get 1.75 wheel revolutions per side, the wheel is straight AND I now have power steering.

    Thanks for everyones input and suggestions.