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Parts List For Saginaw Steering Conversion

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Donnie, Apr 25, 2019.

  1. Apr 25, 2019
    Donnie

    Donnie Member

    saskatoon,canada
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2019
    Messages:
    99
    I wanna start gathering parts can somebody throw up a parts list of what I need, what cars to look for at the junk yard, etc. I have a 68 cj5 v6 dauntless with the old Ross steering.
    Cheers
     
  2. Apr 25, 2019
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Messages:
    942
    What route are you going?
    Ford or GM/Jeep style?
    NT30 swap at same time?
    Cutting the Steering shaft or using a new/used one?

    My Parts list for my Ford style setup (with NT30):

    1985 Ford Ranger manual steering gear (from FLAPS)
    Herm bracket
    Jeep pitman from AA
    4 TREs
    1 custom length shaft from Herm
    1 standard NTD30 HD tie rod from AA
    Cheapy Summit steering shaft and wheel
    2 berg ujoints
    some berg shaft

    FYI - The above setup worked but will need to be reworked as the angle ended up being too much. I'm gonna have to add some more shaft, a carrier bearing, and 2 CV berg joints.

    Roxor parts bin might help this process too. TBD
     
    Last edited: May 15, 2019
  3. Apr 25, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    I don't think there is any list - as such - for this. You might look through the Saginaw pictures thread and decide what conversion you want to do. Power or manual? Which column? Bracket design? How to mount the pump? Hoses? I'd look to members that have done a few of these, like Chuck (warloch) or Tarry99 (not leaving anyone out - they just came to mind), and see what they recommend. IIRC master machinist Mike (mcruff) was making brackets for this ... you're going to have to weld to do this.

    Saginaw Power Steering (pics) Please Add Yours!

    Also - the Ford gear is another option, but you put Saginaw in the title, which requires the GM/Jeep style of mounting.
     
  4. Apr 25, 2019
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
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    942
    Also keep in mind exhaust, engine mount, fuel pump clearance, and whatever else may be on the driver's side. Take none of it for granted.
     
    dnb71R2 likes this.
  5. Apr 25, 2019
    Donnie

    Donnie Member

    saskatoon,canada
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2019
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    99
    Which ever is the easiest, and trying to keep the cost as low as possible, I take it theres a lot of modding to get power steering.
     
  6. Apr 25, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
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    5,593
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  7. Apr 25, 2019
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
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    942
    Ross is easiest and keeps the cost as low as possible. Seriously..

    My Jeep worked until I started "improving it", now it's a project.
     
    Buildflycrash, Chilly and jeepstar like this.
  8. Apr 25, 2019
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
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    942
    Lemme clarify, so you don't get the totally wrong idea..

    #Worked didn't mean roadworthy. I had 93 steering. Meaning I could take the wheel from 9 to 3 o'clock without altering course. I also had no brakes and not much useful material at each drum area. The ford steering vastly improved what I had. That being said, it was certainly not the cheapest, easiest, or fastest path to road worthiness. It also started a cascade of other mods. Some I regret, some I don't, and many are TBD. The Jeep was a viable plow rig, and hasn't plowed, or really moved much since I started "Improving" it.
     
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2019
  9. Apr 25, 2019
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
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    3,784
    Conversion to power steering in a early Jeep rates among the top improvements..........

    • A suitable Saginaw steering gear..........I like the traditional Saginaw 800 series gear box in a Variable ratio.........13/16" or .813" x 36 spline input and HD sector shaft....(I've been told a 1980 J-20 truck has that)....easy for you to find a 1980 CJ with power steering and crawl under it........the basic design although not the same for your CJ will be there.....
    • Decide on the style of exhaust system your going to run.........the stock V6 system with the front dump drivers side manifold and cross-under pipe takes a different pump bracket than rear dump manifolds or headers. Both pumps mount to the L/S cylinder head.........one bracket mounts higher than the other.
    • Buick Power steering pump for a mid 70's -1980 V-6 powered Skylark.......start looking at Wrecking yards and e-bay based on how you plan to run your exhaust. And try to find a system that is complete with pump, brackets and crankshaft & pump pulleys.........keeping in mind that you will probably have to exchange the pump for a rebuilt one.........but at least you well have all the other parts you need.
    • A steering gear 4-bolt frame mount........that goes on your drivers side frame rail just behind the bumper.........that bracket can be made or purchased.......but before anything is mounted ...the system has to be mocked up to fit all components..........( both front frame rails should be boxed with 1/8" or 3/16" plate for additional strength.)
    • Mounting will be a compromise of everything in the system........that includes height, angle and fore & aft.........that position will also determine the length of the steering shafts needed from the input shaft to the column.........most folks like the Double D collapsible material........
    • Suitable U-joints for correcting angles in the path to the column. 2 is normal........one near the input shaft at the gear and the other as the column exits the firewall........Keep in mind your steering shaft to the column may also have to navigate around other things like motor mounts.
    • Your stock column can be re-used by cannibalizing the current Ross gear box and cutting you existing column to length.........a bushing or bearing needs to be installed in the end of the column and you will also have to make a support bracket that attaches to the floor to hold the end of the column in the correct place........ If you have thoughts of having a tilt column.........now is the time.......and like wise if your tall or round in the middle and need more room between the steering wheel and seat........now is also the time to fix that........keeping in mind if you use a stock cut-down column only the large factory steering wheel will work.....
    • By all means go to the steering mods section here on this site........and thumb through all the installs and everything that I've mentioned above will make some sense...........I would also look under a stock 1980 vintage CJ.
     
    Bowbender and Focker like this.
  10. Apr 25, 2019
    cadwelder

    cadwelder Member

    Milton KY
    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2011
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    202
    I think the easiest way to upgrade the steering in an early Jeep is to get everything from steering box to steering wheel from an intermediate Jeep. Mount the box to the frame, fabricate a clamp for the lower end of the column (to the floor), and shorten the steering shaft.
     
  11. Apr 26, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Regarding the J20 steering gear, they are larger in diameter than the "regular" gears used in the J10 or Wagoneer or CJ-5 or Commando. These regualur Jeep steering gears are supposedly the same caliber that GM offered with the majority of their passenger cars. If you buy a J20 gear from a rebuilder, you may not get the same gear Jeep used. The J20 gear has 4 mounting bolts, and there have been reports that reman replacements have had 3 bolts ... from some GM commercial vehicle? Anyway, I think most everyone uses the regular GM gear that Jeep used for most applications.
     
  12. Apr 26, 2019
    Chris Insull

    Chris Insull All roads lead me back to the beach... 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chesapeake, VA.
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    Back when I did mine in ‘98, I used AA for their “kit” after several discussions with tech support. Since they have been producing these for so long and had ironed out most of the quirks, it made the most sense to me at the time. I upgraded to an 800 box, Ididit tilt column, Grant GT wheel, and made a brace that goes from steering box to passenger frame rail. I had the pump brackets I salvage from local yard. This was not the least expensive route, but I can certainly say it has been 100% problem free!
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2019
  13. Apr 26, 2019
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    From what I can gather........when Jeep / AMC started to offer PS......or for sure in the late 70's the gear of choice for CJ's coming from the factory was the 4-bolt .813 dia. 36 spline input shaft series 800 gear box..........easy to spot as they had a large number 6 & 7 cast in the bottom of the box looking up from the bottom..............from what else I can gather is the significance of the J-20 box was that it in fact was also a 800 box and had variable 12-16 ratio.........unlike the stock gear box in the CJ...........although any 800 series box can be converted to variable ratio........as well as many others.
     
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