Ross vs Saginaw

I am putting an 84 Olds V6 into a 49 CJ3A, with that said is there a real good reason to change from the Ross steering to a Saginaw setup, and if so what parts and pieces do I need to make the Swap. Thanks for any help.
Patrick

 

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17911

Lots of reading here.
Might also do a search for Saginaw swap, saginaw steering conversion, saginaw conversion, etc.

Off the top of my head, fewer moving parts, if done correctly more clearance for the engine/bellhousing, less bump steer issues, less maintenance, easier steering, etc.

McRuff, a member here has a kit that doesn't have everything but most of the key pieces for doing the swap. He has an ad in the Classifieds, I think in the Early CJ5 and CJ6 section. His work is very good quality.

 

Do you prefer to herd or drive?

 

i must really be missing out on something.
the ross in my willys is tight
no wander
no bumpsteer
not hard to steer
or any other bad things.
the saginaw must magically steer itself while peeling your grapes and mixing the drinks at the same time.:?

 

You need some bigger tires. :driving:

 

Saginaw FTW. I do not regret going Saggy one bit. And with my swap coming up it's getting power steering
Besides the link Nick posted, go to Advance Adapters and look in the tech information/manuals bullet. There's a $5 download that's over 100 pages long. Has some great information in it.

 

thats it
yeah some big ol tires will solve my problem of everything working fine.
thanks for the tip!

 

Unclebill the difference comes in when you go bigger tires, lift the vehicle, go bigger engine (more weight on front end), your system gets worn so is sloppy, or you want power steering.

Fewer moving parts equals less to go wrong, less slop in the steering system, less maintenance

Add a lift kit and the tie rod angles are too steep immediately which equals bump steer

Add larger tires and it makes it harder to steer as there is more contact between the tread and road surface equaling more resistance

Go off road into rocky terrain and real hard if not impossible to steer.

You can't go power steering and keep the stock Ross system.

If staying bone stock and not going off road much then the Ross system is ok IF in good shape.

 

yessir
i dont have/need
lift
big tires
power steering
and yes it is a bone stock rig that i just rebuilt all of the front end a while back.
once every few months i go around and tighten/lube it all.

 

Slug died in the driveway?

It's all what you want to use them for and how much time you are willing to spend keeping a Ross system tight. The Saginaw is certainly more robust. I put a Saginaw in the 3B back in 1977, and other than a new control valve, it has been essentially maintenance free. On the other hand, my 5, with its stock Ross box, has had 3 sets of bell crank needles and it doesn't even have 50k on it, or for that matter, big tires either.

 

I am still running the stock ross setup. but i can tell you a saggy is the next upgrade coming, less maintance, less parts to go bad. just a better system IMHO & a worthy upgrade that dont cost a arm & leg. two of the best upgrades IMHO is brakes & steering, it dont matter how fast or how far you can go if you cant stop or steer it YMMV

 

I'm running a powerlock front diff with the stock steering set up & after a day of 4-wheeling, my hands are SORE. I've got a saginaw box & a Ranger box, haven't decided which way to go yet.

 

What is the original diameter of the ross column? Thank you. Any know of any GM columns that are 28 inches. Would love to know of any before going to the junk yard fishing for parts.