info needed

hey guys i want to ghange my 3b over to modern steering. what i need to know is what parts do i need to do this and where do i get them. i dont want to be a pain in the butt but i need to know all the parts i will need. dont want power steering either. i wouldd like to use used parts if i could. thanks.

 

Do a forum search for "Saginaw" and you will find everything you'll need. I think there is also a word or two on the subject in the tech files...

Quick list:

* Manual steering box
* Bracket to mount box to frame
* "Fish plate" to box front frame section for above bracket
* Steering shaft to go from box to column
* U-joint to hook up to bottom of column
* Either a bushing to put in the stock column or some other replacment column that is already self-centered
* Floor plate for column support

Probably more, but that's a quickie list that should give you an idea of what you're up against.

 

also check out herm the overdrive guy's website he has a kit available that lets you keep everything behind the grill

www.hermtheoverdriveguy.com

Luke

 

Or you can look at my WWW. and see the retarded way to do it.. do it the other other way.. :stout: :stout:

BUBBA

 

thank you much looks like herm has the whole deal

 

If you have your heart set on Saginaw then you can ignore this post.

However, if you want a low $$ approach to this you could swap in a Ross box from a (factory) V-6 jeep. Total cost could be as low as 50 bucks for the unit. Saginaw will probably run around a grand.

I've done this in a 3B and it steers like a dream. I'm going to do the same in a 70 and 71 that I have that are 4 cylinder jeeps.

It is a direct bolt in -- you'll need the steering column and gearbox and pittman arm from the v-6 box. After that, remove the old and in with the new!

The v-6 box (along with tuxedo park, and m38A1) has a 19 to one ratio whilst the stock 3b box has a 17 to one ratio. It is like having power steering....

Now, neither this method nor a Saginaw will fix a steering system that is faulty to begin with......

 

kamel...would this swap work for a '56 too? What year range should I look for?

 

I think Herm told me he wasn't doing non power. Might be wrong.

 

steering wheel and column, intermediate shaft and Universal coupler from DJ-5. Look at AAA motors on the web, they have columns real cheap. I used a manual box from a '91 YJ, and fabbed up a mount that would locate the pitman arm so as to not interfere with drag link. Intermediate shaft was just shortened to fit appropriate. Little tip. Brainstorm 5x, Visualize it 4x, Look at it 3x, measure it 2x, cut up your loving Jeep Once.

 

yup, a grand seems to be a bit high...

box + shaft: 25 dollars from another form
metal for mounting: 40ish dollars
hoses for box: 60 dollars
new tie rods: 80 dollars
tap to cut tie rod down: 24 dollars
tie rod flips: 45 dollars
assorted drill bits: 50 dollars
junkyard trip: 100 dollars (got the manifold, two brackets, pump, a ford box, compressor brackets, and compressor... so not all of it went to the steering)

all in all, for power steering, i got out for about 420ish with power steering and an OBA setup. so it can be done on the cheap, but it might take a while to find the parts. what basically started mine was the box and shaft for 25 dollars and the relatively cheap junkyard visit...

 

To answer the question on the ross box. They were in factory v-6 jeeps, also all tuxedo park jeeps, and all m38A1 jeeps.

This would work on ANY CJ jeep with the Ross box.

Easiest way to tell is to measure the bolts diagonally that hold the cover on the ross box. If the distance is 4 inches it is the small box(17 to 1).

If the distance is 5 - 5 1/2 inches it is the larger box and the one you want.

The beauty of this installation is that the Ross box was made to fit into the CJ, so it is a direct bolt in.

You can price the cost of saginaw yourself. Price the parts, price the labor, and add it up. I'll warrant my estimate is not far off.

 

kamel...Thanks a million for the info!!! I'm filing this away for future reference. FNJeep in Colorado Springs probably has some of those.

AFAIK, my '56 CJ5 is bone stock, and I know the steering sucked the last time I drove it, 30 years ago. That's all getting fixed during the restoration. I'd been thinking of the Saginaw conversion, but didn't want to go through the hassle and change it that far from stock. I'm very glad to hear about this Ross swap!!

Question: You say I have to change the column, if I do this, do I have to use the later style steering wheel, with the larger horn button, or can I still use the '56 style wheel and the small horn button? Any other differences between the columns?

Many thanks!!

From one curmudgeon to another,