Will Saginaw Steering Handle 36s?

I once had a set of ultra-aggressive 36" buckshot "Q" tires on my jeep. It quickly ruined my original steering. I've since gone back to the 33" buckshot Ps and been fine, but one day I'd like to step back up to the Qs and have been wondering if I did the Saginaw conversion, then added on-piece tie rods etc if that would do the trick. I definitely wouldn't want to do the complete steering overhaul and then wear it out like I did before. Thoughts?

 

A Saginaw 800/808 box shouldn't have any problems with 36" tires but it's mounting would need to be well executed. I would be more concerned with the 11/16-18 TRE's and tie rods. The knuckles will likely hold up.

IMO, the real problem at that point will be axle shafts, assuming you are working with a D25/D27. Those will REALLY not like 36" tires. If you still have the stock spider gears, they are probably already packing their bags to leave-----

 

I ran Qs on my pickup, but I had a scout steering box. You might look into that conversion instead. I don’t doubt a Saginaw box would be up to the task, but a scout/ford box (78-79 Bronco, or early 70s-79 F-150) might be stronger with the longer sector shaft transferring less leverage to the bearings and case, and it would also move the stresses in towards a stronger area on your frame with the mounting location being above the axle.

Front Frame Rail Replacement And Crossmember Repair... And Ford Steering Box Install

 

Good points My front diff came to mind as well. Been wanting to put a limited slip up there, I wonder if I chose the right one if it would solve the spider gear question. Still doesn't address the axle shaft question though. This is all still pretty far off for me, just trying to get my head wrapped around it.

 

Never heard of that being done, very interesting. I'll look in to it!

 

I'd be looking to upgrade to a D30 front axle. A bit stronger, but mostly because its a bit wider. 36" tires are going to rub the leaf springs and reduce turning radius.
-Donny

 

Hydro assist.....

Takes all the stress off the frame rail and drag link.

Project Snowshoe

I'd upgrade axles to scout axles, D44 front and back and a little wider than a D30.

 

Yep, I did a similar installation on the Saginaw C3 box I installed in my 3B-sometime in the 70's and also used that arrangement to put PS in my Farmall M-probably early 80's. Other than a few extra potential leaks, it has worked well in both. My current rendition in the 3B uses a 2" diameter, axle mounted PSC cylinder.


I don't see the steering as the ultimate limitation on running 36" tires here. Even D44's are starting to become a bit marginal with that tire size. And to get those under the Jeep, you probably need at least a 6" lift and/or take a sawzall to the tub. Another whole ballgame.

 

Yes, I was going to post something to that effect, but I decided the OP had those tires on there so he must know the consequences. That much lift is way up in the air for a CJ, and their inboard spring mounting will create a lot of lean with the COG that high. Or you'll need the sawzall on the rear opening and crop the front fenders, or tube fenders. That's a lot of tire for that chassis.

 

I was talking to your dad the other day about those tires. If you want to try it I have almost everything you need for a manual Saginaw swap and you could add the power assist as Nate did on his cj5.

Here they are on the 3b. I have a D30 NT and this was close to full lock. Not much turning radius because the tire hit the frame.

 

They went on there before with no modification of the body or fenders, but it was definitely tight. I have a 2.5" lift now and that may not be enough. Kind of agree that those 36s are a whole lot for that jeep which is why I'm still kind of on the fence about it. Mostly due to the laundry list of things that need to be changed or upgraded in order to make them work.

 

I heard about your 3b, love the photo. I'm very interested in the saginaw swap, with or without the 36" tires. Especially if it comes with a bit of knowledge from someone who's done it. Maybe we can get in touch and talk jeep some time.

 

36” tires are simply too large for this size of a vehicle. 35” really are too large. 33” are about the largest realistically. Steering concerns, axle concerns, frame and suspension concerns, list goes on. Can the they physically fit? Yes. Are they realistic? No.

 

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

 

Psh....and a healthy V8 is too much for these too right?

 

Not at all. And this is an apples and oranges comparison.

 

FSJ Wagoneer/Cherokee axles from a 74ish-79 Truck with the automatic transmission are Dana 44's front and rear and have the offset rear (slightly less offset than the CJ rear but still within a safe angle), plus they're about 61" WMS to WMS up front and 59" in the rear. If you find the right truck they have 4.10 gears, most have 3.54's. Some of the Waggy 44's also have the flat top knuckles that can be machined for high steer arms. Only downsides are the fact that they're set up for 6 lug wheels (can be converted but that's costly so if possible grab the wheels off the Truck too) and their tubes are only 2 3/4" but that's still bigger than the CJ or Scout axles if I remember correctly. Running them in my Jeep right now. They will definitely push your tires most of the way outside the fenders but if you're looking to run 36's you probably don't care about that. I wouldn't be looking to run 36's personally unless I was planning a spring over axle conversion but everyone's needs, wants and preferences are different. I will say that these tiny Jeeps with giant tires do look pretty cool

By the way my Saginaw was handling 35x12.5's just fine with a well made mount on the frame. Previous owner downsized to 33's because he was tired of the tires rubbing when flexed out. I've seen Saginaw boxes handle far larger tires easily with proper tie rods and whatnot, which would be my area of concern on that type of setup.

 

Awesome thanks for the info. Given the major conversions necessary to make the 36s work I'm most likely going to stick with the 33s. I have plenty left to do in the way of basic functioning before I start ripping things apart again just for fun