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1967 CJ-5 Steering System

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Kaz, Apr 23, 2008.

  1. Apr 23, 2008
    Kaz

    Kaz Member

    Delaware
    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    Messages:
    51
    Hi guys, just wondering if you could tell be some stuff about my stock Ross steering system. Is it different for the V6 from the four? Mine is a V6. Are there remanufactured Ross gearboxes for sale anywhere or do I have to rebuild it myself? Also, what is the worm shaft length? The previous owner sheared off the tip at the steering wheel trying to remove it.

    I know that these are a lot of questions but I figure that you guys like jeeps enough that you won't mind.R)
     
  2. Apr 23, 2008
    Kaz

    Kaz Member

    Delaware
    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
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    51
    I just answered one of my questions with the search feature: the V6 box is different from the 4. I would still like to know the worm shaft length and if anyone sells re manufactured boxes.
     
  3. Apr 25, 2008
    Kaz

    Kaz Member

    Delaware
    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
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    51
    Since nobody else has chimed in and I can't find any places that sell rebuilt ones on the internet I guess I will have to do it myself. Does Krage Motorsports have everything that I need on their steering page or do I have to get some stuff elsewhere? I have never rebuilt a steering box before so any advise is appreciated and if anybody who has rebuilt one of the V6 steering boxes recently has a list of all the parts they bought would be really great.

    Thank You.
     
  4. Apr 25, 2008
    Hawk62cj5

    Hawk62cj5 Captain of OldSchool

    Brodnax Va.
    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2004
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    694
    They had every thing to do my box for my hurricane powered jeep a few years ago. Its not much to it . With that said Im going over to sagnaw steering soon .
     
  5. Apr 25, 2008
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    5,349
    There is no one that I know of that remanufactures them. This is 1920's technology that was outdated by most car manufactures by the mid 1950's. Even a rebuilt one will not compare to a used saginaw setup. YMMV
    This being said there is always room for improvemnt but do not think that rebuilding one of these will make it as good as modern manual sterring. You may be sorely disappointed if thats what you are expecting.
     
  6. Apr 25, 2008
    stalin440

    stalin440 member

    Elmira, NY
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2007
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    89
    i bought my steering box rebuild kit from krage's. haven't installed it yet but the gasket they supply is for the 4 cyl only. i had contacted them about it and they said the gasket for the v6 is not available and i would have to make my own.
     
  7. Apr 26, 2008
    Kaz

    Kaz Member

    Delaware
    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
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    51
    No gasket? On their steering parts page it says that they have one.
     
  8. Apr 26, 2008
    Kaz

    Kaz Member

    Delaware
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    Mar 24, 2008
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    51
    I forgot to ask: Are the bearing rollers and races the right kit or are they for the four? They also have a bearing kit that comes with shims and the gasket. Will everything work except the gasket?
     
  9. Apr 26, 2008
    stalin440

    stalin440 member

    Elmira, NY
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2007
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    89
    i dunno, krage's just told me about the gasket not being big enough. i would guess everything else should be the same. i hope anyhow:rofl:.i have yet to rebuild mine so i'm not sure. probably best to just call and ask them.
     
  10. Apr 26, 2008
    Homebrew2

    Homebrew2 Member

    Dunlap, CA
    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2007
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    511
    :beer: to you for maintaining your vintage machine! I've yet to understand what is so undesirable about the Ross box ... when I turn the wheel, it turns the car, it traverses a modest boulder field and washouts without complaint and, travels down the highway nicely. Admittedly, Ive stuffed it thru some corners on pavement that I should have taken slower ... the steering was the least of my concerns ... reliable, repeatable, reassuring. A lot of BIG thinking happened in the teens, 20's, 30's, 40's that, I believe, do not get the credit that they deserve :)
     
  11. Apr 26, 2008
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    5,349
    Ok let me re-phrase this the Ross box's initial design was laid down around 1905, it was improved upon slightly over the years. It was a mediocre design to start with that is prone to severe wear. They are easy to manufacture, very easy to repair, cheap to repair. They will only last on normal road conditions about 10-15k before wear shows up in the box again.
    They are a very high effort box for the steering ratio they apply. A manual saginaw will reduce your steering effort about 40% and be a quicker ratio box and will outlast the sheet metal the jeep was made of if the same attention is paid to it as the Ross box gets.

    I like old machines and there are alot of them out there that are almost as good as modern ones. The Ross box is not however one of them. Its just that simple of design. I am not against restoring the vehicle but too many people rebuild these things thinking they are worn out only to find the rebuild didn't really make them much better.
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2008
  12. Apr 26, 2008
    Homebrew2

    Homebrew2 Member

    Dunlap, CA
    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2007
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    511
    Yeh, I dunno, it's kinda like 9" brakes and single master ... kids and girls don't want anything to do with my Jeep, and that's the way I like it. I grew up driving similarly equiped vehicles and learned to think ahead, have strong arms and strong legs and that's why I bought an old Jeep. YMMV :beer:
     
  13. Apr 27, 2008
    Brian P

    Brian P Member

    Clarkdale Arizona
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2007
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    650
    I was able to obtain everything I needed ( including a new shaft ) from www.willysoverland.com They also have rebuilt boxes. I have the original Ross box on mine, When rebuilding proper fitting of the sector shaft to the bushings will greatly increase service life.
    This may help if you have never rebuilt one before http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50606
     
  14. Apr 30, 2008
    Kaz

    Kaz Member

    Delaware
    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
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    Are the Pitman arms the same or are they different from the four to the six?
     
  15. May 3, 2008
    Kaz

    Kaz Member

    Delaware
    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
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    51
    Nobody knows?:?
     
  16. May 3, 2008
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    Oct 6, 2003
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    1,201
    I had a 67 w/V6, sold it, but I did have the Ross box rebuilt, and it was a pain, and cost a fortune. Cannot remember where I sent it for the rebuild, but it woulda been just as cost effective do the saginaw conversion IMO..
    Besides it wasn't that much better after rebuilding
     
  17. May 3, 2008
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    I think there the same length arm but I would not bank on that. The internal ratio is different but I think the arm is the same.
     
  18. May 3, 2008
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Jul 30, 2003
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    parts manual states they are different between F4 and V6.
    don't know why, length I suppose.
     
  19. May 3, 2008
    willygene

    willygene New Member

    Nacogdoches texas
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    Nov 3, 2007
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    there is nothing wrong with the ross steering box and if you will look at northstarwillys they offer rebuilt gear boxes i prefer to keep them like they were made.
     
  20. May 3, 2008
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    :stirring the pot:

    If there was nothing wrong with them then why was Saginaw steering added from the factory to replace the Ross? :D

    :end pot stirring:

    Don't answer that they also took out the :v6: R)

    On a serious note. Ross boxes are NOT as good as a Saginaw. I don't care what you say, I've driven both. The Saginaw is the steering box to have. However, a good Ross box on a Jeep with stock sized tires that sees action only every once in a while won't wear out as fast and will be fine. I've driven both, I definitely prefer the Saginaw. But the Ross box is adequate if it's new or kept in new condition. It won't be as nice or good as Saginaw, but it'll do for most folks.
     
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