Prius Eps (electric Power Steering)

Hey,
So ive been doing research on this and cant really find any answers. I want to run Electric Power Steering in my '59 CJ5 but dont know what to do steering wheel wise.... Has anyone done this and can give advice?

1. If i were to run the Prius EPS unit and connect a steering wheel directly to the unit, what adapter would i use? Ive tried researching and theres really nothing out there that says it works with a Prius.

2. Would it be better to cut and weld the '59s column where the steering wheel attaches to the EPS?

 

Interesting project. I expect you will have to cut and modify your column. I don’t have the answers but here is a link to a guy who installed one of these units in a TR6, it might give you some ideas. https://www.triumphexp.com/forum/tr6-tech-forum.2/tr6-prius-epas-electric-power-steering.1902438/

Tim

 

there are aftermarket electric power steering kit out there
but why go through the trouble . your still running the ross steering gear
I would do a Saginaw steering upgrade . and you could do PS
ducking now

 

This.
It's been done 100s of times, you won't be re inventing the wheel.

 

One of my ex bosses put an aftermarket EPS in his 55 Chevy.

 

Have seen many EPS installations in vintage cars, hot rods, etc. Common enough to find via google. But, as already mentioned, the Ross steering box is the weak link.

 

Can't remember if it was in the Dispatcher or Flatfendering Aficionado, but one of those recent editions included a piece on doing exactly what you are looking at, including the modifications needed and the parts. I think EPS would work pretty well in a CJ that didn't see much time in the rocks but I question the longevity of it for that duty. Seems like that motor might not like continuous loading to the max. You pretty much work the poop out of a hydraulic system in the rocks.

 

well, i dont plan on rock crawling at all. (not into it coming from desert racing)
and forgive me, but i always understood the Saginaw way to be more expensive overall to do.?

I believe i still have the Ross box, were finding out my grandpa made some upgrades back when and theres still some things that needs cleaned quite a bit more. (the steering box being one)

 

i think i also need to clarify, i dont have access to a lathe or other more industrial type machines.

 

OK Howard, how thick was the plate adapter you used for rotating the GM valve body? I'm going to do the same thing. Did you reuse the steel shim "gasket"? I think a little RTV would work better than that "shim". Up to this point I've always used Aeroquip's PS hose with their SAE adapters and fittings. You can't get those fittings anymore and my system developed a couple of leaks. The fix is invert flare to JIC adapters and new hoses/hose ends but, as you found out, there is insufficient room between, in my case, the frame and the top of the valve body for those fittings.

 

I put hydraulic assist on my Ross system. I upgraded to a v6 box and put taper bearings in the bellcrank. Been wheeling it for years now with no complaints. It wasn't hard to do or super expensive.

 

Thanks Howard. Hopefully I have a scrap of 3/16". Maybe low stress but it still has to remain rigid.

 

That electric power steering article is in the Winter 22/23 Dispatcher issue. The author is James Cronin. He used an EPAS kit 9001, purchased from Summit. It was installed in a Willys wagon using a modified stock steering column.

 

That was my 57 Willys PU that he mentions in his write up. I've had it for about 3 years, and it works great. Nice thing is, there's no fluid to leak
I documented my install in the Forum post. It's not that hard of an install.
https://www.oldwillysforum.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-about-electric-power-steering.14997/

 

I amazed myself by rebuilding the ross box. Much easier than I thought and it hasn't fallen apart. I think it has another 40-60 years to go before needing replacement. I know, I know. you didn't ask......