From: "JESSE CANCEL" To: Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 20:20:19 -0700 Subject: [FJ55] P/S Reply-To: The FJ55 Registry I am planning on putting on some power steering pretty soon, just can't = handle all of the play in my steering box anymore. However, I kind of = like the exercise from swampers and rocks for 6hrs. straight. If I use = one of Lance's brackets and a mini-truck steering box, can the center = control arm and mainly, the surrounding frame area handle the stress? = Am I better off eliminating the center control arm (which was changed = around a year ago) and going with something like an FJ60 or 2wd = toyota/IFS box? If this route is taken, how much welding, reinforcing = and scabbing is required to run this setup on my frame? And how hard = is it really to rebuild a manual steering box, or are rebuild kits even = available. I have 2 boxes, both adjusted as far as possible. Thanks, Jesse, 69fj55 From: "Bullfrog" To: "The FJ55 Registry" Subject: Re: [FJ55] P/S Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 10:44:04 -0400 Reply-To: The FJ55 Registry ----- Original Message ----- From: "JESSE CANCEL" Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 11:20 PM > I am planning on putting on some power steering pretty soon, just can't > handle all of the play in my steering box anymore. However, I kind of like > the exercise from swampers and rocks for 6hrs. straight. If I use one of > Lance's brackets and a mini-truck steering box, can the center control arm > and mainly, the surrounding frame area handle the stress? Am I better off > eliminating the center control arm (which was changed around a year ago) and > going with something like an FJ60 or 2wd toyota/IFS box? If this route is > taken, how much welding, reinforcing and scabbing is required to run this > setup on my frame? And how hard is it really to rebuild a manual steering > box, or are rebuild kits even available. I have 2 boxes, both adjusted as > far as possible. > > Thanks, > Jesse, 69fj55 Jesse - Check out Power Steering Systems, Inc., 12062 NW 27 Ave, Miami, FL 33167. They will rebuild the Toyota Pump, boosting it to 1400 psi using hi pressure seals and increasing the flow rate to 3.5 gpm by drilling out the orifice. They can also add a 4" pulley to spin it faster for low speed use. Cost with shipping for the package, sending your core, is about $165, not cheap, but better than the original setup and still Toyota modified stock. Ask for Victor; 1-305-769-0869. Send your steering box to West Texas Offroad, 6305 US Hwy 277 South, San Angelo, TX 76904 and get the Stage II Hydro Assist Kit, which includes complete rebuild of steering box, again using hi pressure seals,and the addition of two additional hydraulic ports for ram assist steering. Ask for the 1-1/2" ram kit if you want fastest response on road and off. Cost with return shipping is about $470. Forgot the guy's name [Bill?] but their number is 1-325-651-5010. With this, new hydraulic hoses and the appropriate brackets for mounting the pump and box [either Lance's or DIY], you will have an excellent system that will easily handle 35" tires, even at very slow speeds, and the center control arm and surrounding frame are should handle the load provided they are in good condition. Not the cheapest solution, but easy to install and maintain. We have several guys in Bay to Blue Ridge Cruisers running variations of this setup with excellent results. Good luck. Bullfrog