SOA and OEM Power Steering and other SOA ?'s

[FrankenRover]

We are gathering the necessary stuff to SOA the '83 BJ42 and I had some ?'s about the stock powersteering. What if any mods will have to be done to the steering setup when doing the SOA? Can this setup be converted to highsteer (like the 60's we have done SOA's on)? Or should I ditch the parts and go with a saginaw box (plan to run 35x12.5" tires)? Also plan on doing a SR at the same time.

Also this truck has the dreaded "Cruiser Lean" to the tune of about 1.5" of lean down on the driver side. Will the SOA "cure" this, or will I have to resort to other measures to fix it?

Thanks for the info, and I already searched .

Billster

[wngrog]

You can use High Steer with this, but I would just buy the arms and make the dragling and tie rod custom. Most kits are for Saginaw.

No reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Keep the stock PS and upgrade the pump if you need more juice.

You can also tap the box and do hydro assist.

As for the lean....it is in the springs. You may have to swap sides a few times until you get the combo right.

[Pygpen]

Yes you can run the toy PS with a SO. I've been running it for about a year, and 4" Lift springs for a few years before that.

Make sure your DS shock is mounted out on the end of the axle as far as possible to avoid interference with the drag link or relay rod (whatever its called).

I'm running 4X4labs hi-steer setup with a hybrid rod, FJ40 on one end and GM1ton on the other, sweet-setup.

I have run into problems with the frame cracking around the center arm. I think the stock setup was never meant to handle the force of power steering + 35" or greater tires. The center pivots wear real fast too. Good thing they are real easy to come by.
Have fun!
PMK

[FrankenRover]

The interesting thing on the OEM PS setup(on this truck) is that there is no drag link. The steering arm from the front turnbuckle is bolted directly to a tab on the tierod (which goes to both swivel assemblies). Is this the usual setup for the FJ40 PS, or just a wierd one on the BJ42? I haven't seen a stock FJ40 PS system to compare before.

Thanks for the input guys,

Billster

ps. On this truck the steering box is back behind the driver side shock mount and sends a "rod" along side the frame rail to the "turnbuckle" out on the front end of the frame (past the front bodywork). This 90 degree turnbuckle is bolted right to the tierod.

[BionicCruiser]

the "turnbuckle" you mention is called the center arm. and yes, the drag link runs from the center arm to the passenger side tie rod end. that TRE has a hole for the drag link end.
i think what Nolen is saying is you can make a stronger drag link and tie rod with stronger ends of choice out of tubing and hiems or FJ80 TRE's or whatever you like. 1 ton chevy was mentioned earlier too. buy the cross over arms that bolt to the top of the knuckle.

mine are 5/16 wall tubing and hiems. i am going to saginaw PS because that center arm wears out quickly w/ larger tires and creates tons of slop in the steering. i needed a stronger setup for the 14.50 wide tires too.

[dieselcruiserhead]

Bill sounds like a FJ40 system to me. The stock powersteering systems are kind of popular and can get some decent $$ because they are popular and are bolt on for most people with 40s not looking to hack them up. If it were me I would try to sell it and get a saginaw or something comparable. I also hate the bar that runs parallel to the frame but that's just me plus it's one more set of rod ends to go bad. There are some really good threads about powersteering conversions, some of the FJ55 ones are also compatible with 40s and require little/no fab as well. For example I'm running a FJ60 box and like the setup a lot...

[FrankenRover]

Ooops, you guys are right of course. I missed the tierod going to the passenger side knuckle. Need a lift on this thing so I can see the components better.

Billster

[cruiseroutfit]

The OEM PS system is a great setup, however if you plan on running 35" + bigger, I would definatly think about the upgrade to Scout/Saginaw/FJ60. The center arm will become a major issue with big tires, nothing that can't be dealt with, but it will require more maintainance.

As for your system now, you can modify your stock pump to produce more power, easily done but irreversible...

I would just hate to see you dump a bunch of money (rods, etc) into the OEM PS and decide it isn't enough power to turn a locked front end with aired-down wide tires on rock... (run-on sentance from hell)

[Stupid frnch jackasS]

If you want to upgrade your steering system I will take your stock box, pump and bracket and lines for $350