Power steering Question

[Overfiend]

Hello I am the proud new owner of a 67 M715 and want to upgrade to PS , but not knowing what parts will fit / cross overs ect . alil info on the truck it has a chev 350/th350 combo ,3 inch body lift , 44" swampers (see why I want ps heh) and is beat but its a place to start . so any reference or DIY guild would rock


Thanks

[brute4c]

Power Steering Questions / Which box & pump to use?

[Doug]

74 and up Fullsize Wagoneer/Cherokee/J-truck Steering boxes bolt right onto the frame in place of the existing manual box. Pitman arms from the same should work fine also.

They have four mounting holes instead of the stock three. Common for people to drill and sleeve the frame for the fourth hole although it may not be 100% necessary depending on the application (tires size, hard off road use, and etc.)

You can either fab mounts for the power steering pump from the same donar vehicle, or get a pump from a GM vehicle with the correct mounts already on it for your engine. If you wish to use the hoses from the donar vehicle with a chevy pump, you should at least save the pressure outlet fitting from the back of the donar vehicles pump along with the bypass spring that comes out from behind it. These will screw right into the chevy pump and allow use of the "jeep" specific hoses. Another option is to purchase new hoses, or have them made with the correct ends.

Most seem to skip installing a return line cooler, but I'll be adding one to mine soon. After a couple hours of hard off road driving it will start to foam a bit. A short rest and all is good, but I believe a small cooler would make it a non issue.

[randyscycle]

The cooler would definitely be a good idea, hauling those 44" Swampers around.....I'm in the process of doing one on mine as well.

I just dropped my steering box in with no idea of how many miles on it. It works great, but after a few wheeling trips it has begun to leak from both shafts, so its out to reseal. I figure the heat did it, so be sure to do all that before you install.

[Overfiend]

Thanx for the info time to get dirty , pics of the truck to be comming soon

[ryanroo]

i installed a steering box that only had the three mounting holes casted in it. they where the same three as the stock armstrong box. i have no idea what the box came from as it was in a pile of parts in the backyard at work. i am not concerned by the lack of the fourth bolt. in the future a hydro assist is in the works. it was an easy install for sure.
Ryan

[Doug]

Ryan, probably from a CJ if I was to take a wild guess.

At times, I beat the living snot out of my truck. Wide open throttle with the front end leaving the ground. I blew the stock manual box off the frame three times. Frame remained perfectly intack every time, just broke the bolts. First time it could have been because the bolts were loose, I have no clue, but admit to not having checked them until it broke. After the third time I replaced the bolts with new grade 5 and never had another issue until the box grenaded. Also bent the pitman arm once and straightened it, then again and replaced it.

Anyway, after the box grenaded I finally made the switch to power steering, only used the 3 holes and all has been fine so far with just as much, if not more abuse than before. I think the dampening effect of power steering helps tremendously in the longevity scheme of things... or at least that's the story I'm using until something else breaks Hydro assist would only help that.

[ryanroo]

Ryan, probably from a CJ if I was to take a wild guess.

At times, I beat the living snot out of my truck. Wide open throttle with the front end leaving the ground. I blew the stock manual box off the frame three times. Frame remained perfectly intack every time, just broke the bolts. First time it could have been because the bolts were loose, I have no clue, but admit to not having checked them until it broke. After the third time I replaced the bolts with new grade 5 and never had another issue until the box grenaded. Also bent the pitman arm once and straightened it, then again and replaced it.

Anyway, after the box grenaded I finally made the switch to power steering, only used the 3 holes and all has been fine so far with just as much, if not more abuse than before. I think the dampening effect of power steering helps tremendously in the longevity scheme of things... or at least that's the story I'm using until something else breaks Hydro assist would only help that.

i don't think mine will see that kind of abuse, but my thoughts are along the same line as yours. the PS will help the shock load. my bolts were barely tight on the stock box, so i replaced them with grade 8s and made sure they were tight when i did the install
ryan

[Hetzer]

And I just bought and put on a four bolt box to replace the three bolt one I had on there. I'm still in the process of adding the sleeve and fourth bolt.

I thought long and hard about it too. Probably should have left well enough alone, since I too doubt I'll ever thrash mine as much as Doug does his.

Ah well, anyone want to buy a three bolt P/S box?

[Doug]

Ah heck, at least you'll know you should never have an issue with it.