Steering Questions

i am at it agin with the questions, since work and family is been too busy for me to mess with the Jeep I’m doing all my research now.

It has a manual Saginaw steering I was wondering what my choices are since the mount only has 3 holes. I’m contemplating power as I need to rework the steering rod angle (drop pitman arm)
The pump won’t be an issue I don’t figure since I have a SBC v8. The pto winch also has me wondering if I’ll even have room for a powe box.

I have searched but not found any real details on what I’m trying to do. Any how all input appriciated and welcome as usual.

Thnaks

 

Read this
Saginaw Power Steering (pics) Please Add Yours!

 

Some of the Saginaw power boxs are 3 hole, and a 4 hole fits the 3 hole pattern. Likely, a power box will bolt up to what you have, though the shaft coupling will need to be changed to something suitable for the power box.
-Donny

 

Thank you twin2 I will go back through that one must have missed a page or two.

 

The 3 hole ones strong enough? I had figured there was a reason the went to 4

 

The Wagoneer guys like the power steering gear from a S10/Blazer/Bravada 4x4 truck, which has 3 bolts and a progressive ratio. The 2x4 part will work too, but has a faster ratio than the 4x4 gear. Supposedly the technology has improved so much that these gears can be taken from the yard as-is and will require no service.

With one fewer bolt, you could run a brace from the gear to the opposite frame rail. This is likely a good idea regardless, since the power steering gear will put a lot more twisting force on the frame horn. The later Jeeps with the Saginaw steering have a massive front crossmember that fills the area between the frame horns, likely because the Jeep engineers recognized the issue with that steering gear location.

 

I like the brace idea, is the 4x4 ratio good for a Jeep? Do you know. I think the big plate the winch is mounted to will help as well. I think

 

Should be. I presume the slower ratio gears are used because of the larger tires typically fitted to these vehicles. Slower ratio means more leverage. When I wrote "progressive" ratio - maybe it's commonly called variable ratio? It's slowest near the center, and gets faster away from center. This makes cruising near straight ahead down the highway more relaxed, and also makes the steering more responsive when turning sharply at low speed, ie parking.

 

That makes sense seems about ideal

 

Yes. That is the one I am using. In my case, it is the power steering gear for a mid-1980's S10.

 

Was yours manual to start with or did you start off with power. Good to know the s10 one is a good option lots of those in the boneyards.

 

I started off with a power unit.

 

Are people just making the braces or is it a kit.

 

For a custom installation, you'll need to fab it or modify an aftermarket product. There have been threads about the brace here - site:earlycj5.com steering gear box brace - Bing Pictures too!

Jeep calls it a steering "gear" but calling it a steering "box" is popular.

 

That’s cool how you got bing to show this site only

 

I’d keep it manual steering. One less thing to fail. I was actually surprised how well mine steered, even with a small steering wheel.

 

I have thought of this since I have it already just get a new steering shaft to get rid of that stupid rubber disk coupler thing get a real u joint there.

 

You have to have "flex" somewhere in the steering shaft system.
Don't go all solid, you'll create problems.

 

I’m aware of that was going to go with a sliding shaft for flex like I’ve seen on some newer jeeps. Those rubber things just don’t seem to work well. Has anyone had decent luck with them? I will never go bigger than 35 at the most, think 33 will be perfect size tire. So not extreme.
Thanks again evryone for the awesome info as usual.

 

The rag joint (rubber disk thing) can be renewed if it's sloppy. Dorman sells a replacement rubber part for those. Dorman Steering Couplers/Rag Joints | JEGS Your FLAPS can get Dorman stuff easily.

If you want a u-joint, I'd suggest using a u-joint and a slip joint (telescopic shaft). The XJ Cherokee has a steering shaft with both a u-joint and slip joint that is a popular replacement for Wagoneers that have the rag joint. Possible you could make that fit, find something else in the junkyard, or get the needed aftermarket parts from one of the hot rod suppliers like Bourgeson.