manual to power steering for j-3000

[DBAKER]

I posted another message and forgot to put in the subject what I was after. Looking to convert my 66 j-3000 to power steering - have heard all sorts of different things - but one that has come up alot is using a S-10 gearbox and pitman - anyone with any info would be a great help.

Thanks
Derek
1966 j-3000

[Elliott]

There were some Kaiser trucks that came with PS and swapping in those parts might be the easiest. I started with swapping in a '75 frame, it's a longer route though!!!!

[jode]

Why can't you just take the box off a later model FSJ, attach a Pump, and roll with that? Is it a problem with mounting the new box to the frame? I would think that could be easily remedied with some bracketry fabrication....what other issues are involved?

[Elliott]

The '66 has a bell crank linkage and the steering box is mounted back on the frame by the firewall, the frame does not have holes through it to mount the late model box and the forward cross member of the frame would need to have a section cut out to allow the box to mount in the correct location for the drag link to hook up to the arm (which has a smaller joint then the hole in the steering arm, 7/8? same as the hole in the CJ arm... only the CJ arm is an inch shorter in length).
If you were to use a late model Jeep box, from about '75 and earlier they were made to mount to a frame surface that was flat so they will have an adaptor plate to locate the box at the correct angle. '77 and later frames were angled at the mounting location so no bracket would be available. Either way you have to chop into the forward cross member or the box will be too low or too far to the rear and then you'll need a larger joint to fit the steering arm hole and I'm not sure that will thread into the drag link

[ June 19, 2003, 11:49 AM: Message edited by: Elliott ]

[DBAKER]

My 66 has the box out in front - and I am certain it is original - maybe it has an early 67 frame. Either way - what I have to work with is a box on the inside of the frame rail in front of the main crossmember.

[Elliott]

Sounds like you may be in luck. I had a '67 that I converted over to PS by just swapping in later parts.... this was 25 years ago and it was my first J truck so I couldn't remember if the steering box in front of the axle was original.
The box with the mounting plate from a '75 (or earlier) ought to work then, check out the bolt patern.
I have no recollection at all of how I mounted the pump to the 327.... but I think I got the parts from another '67 custom cab truck.... or maybe a wagon.