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New Steering Question

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by RalloZA35, Jul 24, 2019.

  1. Jul 24, 2019
    RalloZA35

    RalloZA35 New Member

    Illinois
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    Feb 22, 2017
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    Hey fellas, I am been pondering putting a rack in pinion in my 68 cj5. It will be a pavement princess if it ever gets done.... But I am seeing nothing but bad things people say, I like the simplicity of having it. But then I'm also thinking about keeping the restore simple and rebuilding my ross steer box ( probably not recommended) or should I do the saginaw. I'm torn as what I want to do, any insight as to what you did would be helpful! I've stalled this project out long enough trying to figure out what I want to do with my steering. Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Jul 24, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    My personal experience is that with stock tires a rebuilt Ross system steers as well as anything but pavement bumps & potholes taken at speed are not kind to them- a steering dampener will help extend their lifetime though. there's a few other tricks that can be done to help with longevity such as bellcrank mods.

    Saginaw helps with BIG tires & upkeep is definitely simpler than the Ross & the power box is nice for running rocks & parking at the Dairy Queen.

    There is one guy out there somewhere who does Pinto based Hot rod racks on flatties but the overall opinion is that they aren't tough enough to stand up to off road use.
     
  3. Jul 24, 2019
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    A rack and pinion doesn't lend well to a solid axle Jeep. I recently parted out a Jeep that had a rack and pinion. It was a race Jeep from the FL west coast. The steering rack (from a 240Z) was mounted on the front axle via brackets welded to he axle tube. The lower column had a sliding/collapsible section to allow for very limited suspension movement. The Jeep had very stiff front springs with very little flex, allowing the steering to work.
    I can't see a rack and pinion as being very practical for anything other than what I had.
    Rebuild your stock Ross and upgrade your bellcrank bearings, of consider a Saginaw box behind the bumper. These are both proven steering systems.
    -Donny
     
  4. Jul 24, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Not piling on, but I would point out that the Saginaw steering conversion is popular for these Jeeps for good reason. It's also what AMC chose to install when they first upgraded the long-in-the-tooth CJ in 1972. Some things are popular for good reason.
     
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2019
    tarry99 likes this.
  5. Jul 24, 2019
    RalloZA35

    RalloZA35 New Member

    Illinois
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    Feb 22, 2017
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    23
    Alright, I'm with you guys on the no rack. The jeep will pretty much be a sunday driver only as I have a company vehicle. So I think I will try to rebuild the ross and put a dampner on... I dont plan on doing any real offroading with it, except maybe a trip up the water way at the farm. That being said, I haven't researched it much yet. But are parts for the ross box available? Mine wasn't shot but I am not going to put it back in without a rebuild so to say. Thank you again! Hopefully I can get going on the old girl again
     
  6. Jul 24, 2019
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    If you are as far torn apart as your avatar suggests, I'd look at putting disk breaks on, then start the Ross rebuild. Is the Ross bad? Steering wander all over? If not, slap some grease in it. Drive it around while you research and source parts for a Saginaw swap
     
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  7. Jul 25, 2019
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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  8. Jul 25, 2019
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    I got lucky, found a V 6 donor Jeep with 27K miles on it, the V 6 Ross is a little heavier duty, then rebuilt the drag link, bell crank, and tie rod. Then I put a steering shock on it, and 7:50X 15" tires on it, it drives good now. It had a 134 Ross box and big tires and wheels on it when I first got, scared the :poo: out of me when it went into the Willys Wobble at 50 mph. Like I said it drives good now. Good Luck
     
    Vanguard likes this.
  9. Jul 28, 2019
    RalloZA35

    RalloZA35 New Member

    Illinois
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    Feb 22, 2017
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    I am even farther tore apart than that picture, down to a frame once today is over. Wanna get it sent out for sandblasting and get it back to paint it soon. New bushings in spring packs.. the disc conversion seems like such a heavy cost and it makes me question if it’s worth it. Mine was wore and Misadjusted to the point of skipping.
     
  10. Jul 28, 2019
    RalloZA35

    RalloZA35 New Member

    Illinois
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    Feb 22, 2017
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    This i
    This is a v6 Jeep! So I am going to rebuild it and hope I get a good strong steering box again! How do you get the bell crank off the cross member?
     
  11. Jul 28, 2019
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    There is a pinch bolt, and a big nut at the upper side. After those are removed, the main pivot should slide out the bottom.
    -Donny
     
  12. Jul 29, 2019
    RalloZA35

    RalloZA35 New Member

    Illinois
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    My worm gear was worn was my problem. Worst case scenario I’ll have to bring it to a machine shop and have them fix it.
     
  13. Jul 29, 2019
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Its 250.00 dollars of worth it.
     
    Muzikp likes this.
  14. Jul 29, 2019
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    The 2 biggest upgrades for these old Jeep’s are disk brakes and Saginaw steering. These 2 mods will make your Jeep as least twice as streetable as it was before. Night and day difference.
     
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  15. Jul 29, 2019
    RalloZA35

    RalloZA35 New Member

    Illinois
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    I guess the prices I saw on kaiser Willy’s was 750 bucks lol. Where do you get the stuff for the disc conversion at that price?
     
  16. Jul 29, 2019
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Brennan Metcalf sells the brackets for 65 bucks, shipped. The rest is rock auto geo tracker brake calipers and pads. A few bucks in misc. Hardware like banjo bolts and wheel studs
     
  17. Jul 29, 2019
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
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    I completely agree. Take it a step further to power steering and power brakes. Those two things radically changed my Jeep experience for the better (y)
     
  18. Jul 29, 2019
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    Chevy disk brake backer plates, 1985 chevy blazer calipers and 77 jeep disks with new studs. Done.
     
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  19. Jul 30, 2019
    RalloZA35

    RalloZA35 New Member

    Illinois
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    Awesome thanks guys, that’ll come later but I think I’ll do the brakes. Maybe on the power steering or brakes. I kinda want to keep it original for the most part. Any of you have a powder coated frame? A place around here would blast and powder coat for 650, the powder coat on my trailer sucks and it scares me. Think I’ll blast and paint myself instead.
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2019
  20. Jul 30, 2019
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    some areas have a dipping method, E-coating it. dips it in a bath, and then they shock it. IDK exactly how it works, but it does. somethign like galvanizing it. since its submerged when charged, everu surface is taken care of.
    i think it was about 800 to do my FC frame. that was a year ago, over the phone quote though. check around your area.

    but if its powdercoating that you are worried about, i think its more the people doing it, than the process itself.

    E-coating — Hartford Finishing, Inc.
     
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