Michael,

I'm going to mention this since no one else has. PLEASE be very careful with this conversion. Messing around with the steering is not to be taken lightly. You don't even want to have problems with the steering when your crusing down the freeway at 70 MPH. I would suggest studying the service manual or a Jeepster with factory saginaw. Good luck and take your time.

/wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif Lee 1970 Jeepster Commando

 

Yes I mentioned it before. Take your time.
Another note: If your not sure of your welding skills, don't be afraid to find a certified welder who will do the welding for you. I was lucky that my dad-in-law knew a welder from work, he used to work at the refineries. The last thing I EVER want to happen is have the steering come off when I or my wife are driving. It might be tough to find a welding shop who will weld the mounting bracket on. Many (in my area at least) don't do automotive work because of high insurance. A frame repair shop might be better, but they will be pricey and may shudder at a custom conversion, again, a liability issue. good luck everyboby. later

Chris

 

Everybody talks like this is a very hard operation when if fact it is so simple a six grader can do it. Although everybody talks about welding when it can be done without welding. The main purpose is to box the frame at the frame horn for added strength. But I do reccomend welding the horn. Darren is the prfect setup for this operation. The fact that his is a spring over has no bearing in this matter, the steering is still te same except for the pitman arm size. I used a flat pitman from a 76 regal. Arg is a good steering setup but why pay $700 for $50 of yard parts that may never go bad, AutoZone with their lifetime warrenty would be $125 . The pump and bracket from 231 fits perfect. The belt is a 30.5 in length and the new hoses can be built for less than $10. Install the box as close to the bumper as possible. If you tilt the box you can miss the motor mount. I installed my tierods on top with the advance adapter cross bar ($35) to miss the springs. If the weld is not perfect no big deal because the box is bolted through the frame, install some sleves to keep from crushing the frame. I used the rag joint to hook to shaft. My hardest part was the motor mount because I did not tilt the box the first time. This is really a simple upgrade. Darren page has picture of each step.

brownbagg

 

Advance Adapters sells a kit or parts for this conversion. It's more expensive than getting the parts from a U-Pull yard though. They also have a Jeep tehnical manual for $10 that discusses engine/tranny/xfer swaps. I also believe the Ross to Saginaw steering conversion is discussed in detail. Might be worth a call to verify this and if so, purchase the book. Probably won't find the Jeepster mentioned, but all the principles are the same. Ph. 800-350-2223.

 

Okay, I know you are all probably tired of this by now. Today I stopped at a junkyard and found a Buick with a 231 V-6 with Power steering. The box on it had three bolts. I found a Camaro with a four bolt box. Are these the right parts? Also do I need to get a left side manifold off of one of the Buicks and if so, how do I tell if it's the right one? Do I need to take the steering shaft also? Or is there a best one I should be looking for? I know that I will have to custom make this part, but anything to make it easier.
Thanks to all! RQ

'68 "in the process" Charlotte, NC

 

Go with the four bolt box, it's stronger. Yes, you'll want a rear-dump left manifold. Brownbag states that any year 231 manifold will fit, but I found that the port size is different on the '79 and newer manifolds vs the '78 and older. I'd look for a '78 or older for your 225. I believe you'll need the steering shaft also, but will defer that and the balance of questions to those more knowledgeable on the subject.

 

Yes, with a 4-bolt box, you can get 2 bolts into the frame instead of one. An early '70's GM sporty car will have these. The rest of the stuff can come off a pre-79 231 equipped car. One with the flat triangle exhaust manifold is best. I used a u-joint from flaming river at the box because I had no clearance for a rag joint under the crossmember. I also used one of their slip shafts and vibe damper u-joints to complete the shaft. you could save the cash and adapt the GM setup I guess.

Chris

 

Becareful with newer boxes, they have metric hoses. They are OK but it must match the pump due to metric fitting. It around year 78. Go with the four bolt. Also the bigger the car the slower the turning ratio

brownbagg

 

JUST THOUGHT I WOULD BRING THIS TO THE TOP FOR BUTCHIN

Andy in Louisville, KY
72 C-104 Wagon

 

Pushin it to the top, but have a question. Does the steering brace for CJ's bolt to the jeepster without any modification? Also, I haven't put my steering stablizer back on yet because it used to mount where the steering gear is now. It might be too long to put it on the right side framerail. How does everyone else have theirs monted? Thank you

Chris

 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I'VE AQUIRED THE CORRECT BOX, A SET OF HEADMAN FENDER HEADERS FOR A CJ 225 SAME YEAR. I'M AN ENGINEER, AND HAVE MY OWN FAB EQUIP. AT THE HOUSE. I'VE ALREADY FIGURED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO NOTCH THE MOTOR MOUNT AREA. PARTS I NEED(231 BUICK 78 AND EARLIER PUMP AND BRACKET)(TIE RODS???)COMBINATION SIMILIAR TO OLDER JEEPS??? EVENTUALLY I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE CLUB ALTHOUGH MY 67 IS SOMETHING I BOUGHT FOR MY SISTER.

 

I KNOW THAT THE PIECE ON MY CJ THAT GOES FROM FRAME RAIL TO FRAME RAIL IN FRONT OF THE GRILL COULD BE BOUGHT AT MEPCO AND MADE TO FIT THE JEEPSTER FRAME PRETTY EASY. TWO OF THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE BRACKET MOUNT THROUGH THERE. THERE ARE EITHER 1 OR 2 BOLTS THAT MOUNT TO THE STEERING BRACKET THAT HOLD IT TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRAME . MINE WHERE RUSTED WHEN I REPLACED MY BOX ON THE CJ 2 YEARS AGO SO I COULDN'T REUSE THEM. HAD TO BREAK THEM,GRIND FLUSH AND THEN WELD THE BRACKET TO THE FRAME. JUST GROUNG THAT WELD OFF TWO DAYS AGO AND REMOUNTED A CHEV SAG BOX TO IT , HENCE I'LL HAVE TO RE WELD IT BACK. IT HELD FOR TWO YEARS NO PROBLEM, ATLEAST 10 TRIPS TO MOAB(I'M STILL YOUNG AND DUMB AND REALLY BEAT MY CJ UP)