Steering assembly swap

[Lugnut]

I want to know if I can swap the steering column, intermediate shaft, steering gear box, pump, hoses, etc. from an '83 Wagoneer over to a '78 CJ-7. Both are V8's. Does everything interchange?

[mrclean]

The steering column, box, and pump/hoses are a direct swap. However, the intermediate shaft is a different length. Just use the CJ int shaft.

[Lugnut]

I think I recall the power steering shaft and the manual shaft have different connections on the end. I think I read that somewhere..Anyone know about that? I don't have the Wagoneer yet to check it, if a visual check is all I will need...

[Lugnut]

Oh, and seems to me the mounting brackets on the gearbox are different for the CJ and the Wag. Can anyone verify that? Does anyone have these brackets for a CJ? I do think they are different. Anyway, the brackets on the Wag are welded to the frame. Looks like this was a factory weld...

[mrclean]

The mount brackets are different, but the box bolts on the same way. Same box basically, but the Waggy box is valved differently.

[rigger]

hmm

[Lugnut]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by mrclean:
The mount brackets are different, but the box bolts on the same way. Same box basically, but the Waggy box is valved differently.<hr></blockquote>

Hmmm....Wag. box is valved differently??? Is that something I need to be aware of?

[TexasJ10]

I'm not sure if this applies to all years, but at least for the 1982 versions, the CJ power steering pump was designed to operate at lower pressures, and the steering gear units were constant ratio verses the variable ratios used in the FSJ's. I don't think this difference is going to be a big deal for your swap. The FSJ steering gear units were designed to move at a 16 to 1 ratio when centered and decrease to 13 to 1 as the wheel was turned further. Variable ratio steerng makes it easier to turn as you progress into the turn by requiring less movement of the steering wheel. The CJ units used a constant ratio steering gear unit that used a 17.5 to 1 ratio. It's interesting to note that the high performance AGR Super Box 2 unit's for CJ's, that sell for over $350, appear to be FSJ steering units, as they incorporate the same variable ratio features. I suspect the Super pump they sell is also the FSJ pump which operates at around 400 psi higher pressures than stock CJ pumps. Anyway, I think you have a viable swap and wish you the best of luck on it.