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Manual Saginaw Steering Questions

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by jeepstar, Aug 8, 2018.

  1. Aug 9, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Putting a power steering pump on a F134 is not trivial, since it never came from the factory with power.
     
  2. Aug 9, 2018
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    My 70 with V6 has manual Saginaw steering...I used an intermediate CJ steering gear mounting bracket, bolted to the frame and my Warn winch mounting bracket. I used a Borgeson CJ7 steering shaft, (found it on CL for cheap) with a different yoke on the bottom to mate with the manual gear. I used a postal Jeep column (difficult to find these days) to keep the stock look. This combo allowed me to keep the stock motor mount, stock exhaust, and stock front crossmember.
    Power steering is in my future plans...as far as I can tell, all I will need to change will be the u-joint at the steering gear.
     
  3. Aug 9, 2018
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I did my first Saginaw steering conversion in 1977. I used an OEM intermediate bracket (from the dealer parts counter) to mount the steering box to the frame. Yes, I added additional bracing over to the other frame rail. I used a '60's Cadillac tilt/tele column, but thats another story.
    I used a power steering box out of a '69 Impala which of course bolted on the Jeep brackets. I looped a line from the pressure side straight to the return on the steering box, after filling the box with PS fluid.
    Though I had the power steering pump and brackets for my 215 engine, I never installed it or hooked it up. I ran "manual" steering with the power box for many years as I never really needed the power assist.
    Just food for thought, install the power box, but you don't need to connect it right away. At least its already installed when you want to go to power steering.
    -Donny
     
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  4. Aug 9, 2018
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
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    That's brilliant!
     
  5. Aug 9, 2018
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    When I put them in, I position the mount to fit the power box and then install the manual if that's what is on the order (currently doing it on the niece's '62 and did it that way on the '49 and '66). All that needs changed from there is the spud shaft and the power parts to convert it.
     
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  6. Aug 10, 2018
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
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    I converted my ‘57 to manual steering with Herm’s Ford saginaw setup. It steers nice. I don’t have any plans to convert to power steer. I used a cheapy summit column and borg rod and joints.

    Watch your exhaust, engine mount and fuel pump. It gets really tight right there.

    That being said, I wonder if you can use a HiLo to run the gear on the power setup.
     
  7. Aug 11, 2018
    michigan_pinstripes

    michigan_pinstripes I'm not lost, I'm wandering

    Clarkston MI...
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    Today I just found yet ANOTHER manual gearbox in my shed with a nice Borgeson already on it -- plus 2 foot of 3/4 round shaft that is dowel keyed. (Jeep hoarding, the gift that never stops giving)

    I may end up swapping that on -- however, after the suggestion above to mount the power gear and run in "arm-strong steering" mode is a really good idea!

    (yeah, I have one of those in the shed too)

    I ran my last 2A on a manual saggy (arm-strong steering) and it was actually really easy to steer even w/33's

    back to the garage!
     
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  8. Aug 11, 2018
    '74Renegade

    '74Renegade Active Member

    Fair Oaks, CA
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    So did you fill the box with PS fluid and cap the ports?
     
  9. Aug 11, 2018
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    That is the way I did my son's. Never put a pump and res on it. Just a little loop with fluid.
     
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  10. Aug 11, 2018
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    You need a slip joint or rag joint of some kind in there....
     
  11. Aug 11, 2018
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    No, if you cap the ports, the box will hydraulicly bind up. I filled the box with steering fluid/ATF, and looped a line from the pressure port to the return port. The fluid has to circulate as the box is operated.
    -Donny
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2018
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  12. Aug 13, 2018
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
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    Yeah, I was surprised how well it steered with manual steering, to the point where I might put manual steering on other rigs lol
     
  13. Aug 14, 2018
    michigan_pinstripes

    michigan_pinstripes I'm not lost, I'm wandering

    Clarkston MI...
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    Most manual boxes are easy 6.5 turns lock-to-lock compared to power at 3.5-4.5 turns. After spending the weekend wrestling the power steering box fit, I am going back to manual since it is bolt on. the 2A cross member was a major obstacle as-well-as the bumper bracket. I didnt want to cut it up.

    Besides, my last 2A with this manual setup flat-towed so well on turns! I believe its the 6.5 turn rate

    In my shed finds I found a pristine (read: non leaker) 1950's Saggy box with a top fill plug never seen that before). It operated so smooth that I couldn't turn it down. My previous one was loose and seeping. Very unique looking because it is slightly angled -- web searching I found it was used on 1956 Buicks -- so appropriate match to the engine too! Pics soon!
     
  14. Aug 14, 2018
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    SOONER!!!
     
  15. Aug 16, 2018
    michigan_pinstripes

    michigan_pinstripes I'm not lost, I'm wandering

    Clarkston MI...
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    For as old as this supposedly is, quite pristine and smooth operating (6.5 lock-to-lock). Note the fill cap and casting angle -- very unique! Attached is a Borgeson type joint that has "Spicer" stamped on the bearing caps. It was as-is tack welded to the splined input -- which will work for me. Its also has a long enough 3/4 round intermediate. I can't remember where I got it, but best of the 3 I had -- and yet the oldest! Best part, no drip drip!
    saggy20.jpg
     
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