Hi Guys, I have been toying with the idea of adding power steering to my 52 for sometime now. I have seen good reviews on adding the Toyota gearbox. When I started pricing them WOW. Total cost is somewhere between 400 and 600 bucks. I don't want to mount the box outside the frame. So would somebody have an alternative gearbox? Or any suggestions for a different gearbox? Thanks, Jimmie.
Although I am now also considering using the EPAS; my first thought was the Toyota box. I have not done either yet. I want to see someone else's install of an EPAS under the dash of an AD truck.
Just food for thought, the Toy box works well with a GM pump, from what I read. Also backed up by the fact that if you buy an upgrade kit for your FJ, the kit comes with a GM pump. They say the pressures make the box work better than the Toy pump.
The issue I foresee, at least on my 1 ton dually, would be the length and the shape of the pitman arm needed. Consider this need first. There is a flat pitman arm made for Toyota trucks, but it is about 3/4" shorter than the stock Toyota arm even. At least on a 1 ton, it needs to be quite long.
I also considered mounting the box inside the frame with the pitman shaft coming out through the side of the frame. This would shorten the length of the pitman needed.
That being said, I bought my push pull box by posting a wanted ad on Pirate4x4.com. I think I ended up paying like $100.00 or $125 shipped. This is a 4x4 part; go where the 4x4 fans go. There is a Toyota section there in addition to a parts wanted and parts needed section. Ebay is way too high.
Also make sure you get the right box. There is a slight difference in the mounting angle that I didn't immediately notice.
That might be an advantage, depending on your mounting angles. I think one is an FJ40 or 60 box and the other is the 79-84(85???) pickup or LC box, pre IFS at any rate. Mine came off of a Land Cruiser I think.
The EPAS is cheap and shouldn't require changing anything from the steering box down.
Hi Larry, I have been looking EAS. The price on those are even worse than regular hydraulic systems. I think if I can find a frame mount box the other problems can be worked out. Thanks for the pirate 4x4 tip. I will keep looking, and if I find anything I will post it here. Jimmie.
The EPAS from the Saturn Vue (I think 2002-2007)can be had at a u-pull-it type junk yard for about $65.00. Clip off the wires going to it, so you have the plugs and get the u-joint on the bottom of the unit. This is a DIY project. I don't know of anyone making an AD specific kit yet. When they do, it will be expensive, no doubt.
I have done several Toyota conversions on TF trucks and an F100 truck. I have not done one on an AD truck so I can not address the issues involved in the conversion. Yes they are pricy but work well. They have the same number of turns lock to lock so they work well with the stock solid axle. One thing to note, a GM pump puts out about 1300 PSI while the Toyota box operates on 900 PSI. There is a washer kit for the control valve available from a number of aftermarket suppliers to reduce the pressure. If someone is selling a kit that uses a GM pump it likely has the control valve modification done or I'm sure they would have complaints and comebacks. The electric kits look like a great idea but they only provide assistance to the stock gear box. If the stock gear box and other steering components are in good condition they would be great, otherwise it may not be an improvement. Fred
Last edited by rfs56trk; 03/24/20165:17 PM.
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes 1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes 2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans 1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
Good points Fred. Having already done a few, you would be in the know more than I.
Not sure on the pressure. I just remember reading something to the effect that the Toy box worked better with the GM pumps pressures. ??? I can't argue one way or the other.
This is the picture of the FJ kit in question. Unless they modded the GM pump, I don't see any regulators or anything. Would it possibly have an internal modification?
My 250 I-6 for the truck came with a GM pump and bracket, so if I go the Toy box route still, I will need to modify the pump I guess. Would you have a link for the modification parts?
This is what THEY claim on the sites Q&A at the bottom:
"Do I use the Toyota pickup powersteeringpump? You can but we use the Saginaw because of threereasons: Price, Pressure and Longevity. Our bracket uses a commonpump,easily replaceable, it has higher pressure, and provides moreflow. In general, this pump will easily outlast a Toyota pump."
As I said, no argument from me, just what they claim. I have no idea either way.
I'd still be interested in the pump pressure reducing parts. There would be no harm in dropping it to the Toy specs.
The control valve is located inside the pump behind the fitting where the pressure hose is attached. There will be a spring and the control valve. The kit comes with a holding device and small shim washers. Usually about 3 washers will reduce the pressure to the correct amount. We have also installed a couple of Mustang II front ends and they also need to have the pump pressure on a GM pump reduced. Too much pressure can cause erratic operation and possible failure of the system. I don't know if a GM pump is any more reliable or better than a Toyota pump. It's probably cheaper and the availability of brackets (for GM engines is better). The last kit I bought came from Bill's Hot Rod, should be online. I think Speedway also has them. Fred
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes 1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes 2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans 1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
Hi everybody, I said I would update things as I went along. Here is the situation as of now. I have purchased a generator with a power steering pump attached from a 57 Belair, I have also purchased a rebuilt Toyota power steering gear box. I am currently looking for a new steering column with a bad worm gear or sector shaft. As I am going to cut it up, and do not want to ruin my rebuilt column. As my first major mod this will also give me a bit of a safety net if things go bad. As the Johnny Cash song I an getting things ready "one piece at a time"
