what to do

I know I'm going back and forth on this issue so I need help. I just started looking for another F-4 for the 56 cj5. Now this jeep is being built for a new Driver (My 6 yr. old son 10 year project or if done early I'll drive it for fun.) Use will be around town and some hiway use. I know it will be a little slow and I'll have to put a overdrive in it. All this leads to my big concerns Would it be better to have a v-6 so I can run power steering and brakes My main concern is Safety. But I do like the idea of original. but not over safety.

 

You can run power steering on an f-head you will just have to build or have built the brackets. If it robs a little power run an electric fan to gain some of it back. The overdrive will help though with top speed.
The brakes for the most part don't need to be power brakes just larger brakes, either 10", 11", disk or a combination of them.

 

I have the 4 wheel discs on it is that enough with a duel m/c. I thought p/s would rob to much power from the small amount of power the engine has. Is the non power sag conversion easy enough for a 16 yr old new driver.

 

I plan on rebuilding what ever steering i use or going new. I was under the impression the ross box even new was a hassle to have

 

here's some pics from a convwersation a while back about this.
http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17422

 

The Ross setup will be better if you change to the 1 piece tie rod that runs from wheel to wheel instead of the factory set up.
To me power steering was the cheaper option over the manual only because the manual boxes and there rebuild kits are getting hard (not impossible) to find, but power steering boxes are cheap, in most cases about $65-$75 will buy the box and pump. I gave up on looking for a manual box and then stumbled onto a local guy that had a few but I already had my power parts by then.

 

I'd keep the :hurrican: , add 11" drums and the dual res m/c kit and upgrade to manual saginaw. The OD will be a nice addition as well

I'm running 33's and have no trouble with the saginaw

 

the secret to manual steering is to leave the large factory steering wheel on.
smaller wheel = much harder to turn

 

Using a dual reservoir master cylinder is an obvious improvement in safety.

I'd probably stay away from power accessories with the F4, simply because the parasitic load affects a small engine more noticably than a large one. The electric fan is a good suggestion for the same reason.

The manual steering will be fine for a young man if you keep the tire footprint narrow and keep the pressure up. Smaller tires will reduce the ride height and that will be safer for a new driver too.

 

Good advice. I did change my wheel to a 14" Grant, and it is a bit harder to turn. Not bad though

 

thanks all