zook power steer conversion I need education

[christover1]

I am starting my education on power steering conversions for my Sierra. (as I am getting soft)
I haven't decided wether to use my multi V belt duel pulley or my normal V belt, yet.
Main question is; does the box and pump have to be a matching set, ie from same or similar car?
I understand there may or may not be differences in line sizes and fittings, and V or multi v.
I'm sure more questions will come to mind after I do the wrecker crawl/investigations.

Thanks in advance, Christover.

[DaveS3]

No,
I have a Toy 60s box with a rover pump.

Just get the lines done.

Dave

[christover1]

So far choices are suziwold will sell me entire box, pump, lines and brackets from a Vitara for around $440. Easiest pump to fit, as 1.3 and 1.6 blockes are very similar, and my swift donk already has multi v belt pulleys. But box a little harder to fit. Maintainance/replacement bits from suzis will be dearer, but I believe they may be more reliable than older stuff???

Or a Jimny set up for way too much, apparently they go out the door real quick. (not happening for me)

Or I can get cressida box and any useful type pump from a wrecker, for around $200, but may not include brackets or lines, and cost $50 extra for a warrantee.. This would be easiest box to mount, but still need a vit pitman arm, or tarago??? one. This option may be cheaper/easier if I go back to standard v belts..Replacement/maintanance for this method is probably much cheaper, but I believe may be more often needed.. Only been to one wrecker, his supplies were dwindling to only 3 cressidas..?This may be a deciding issue, will hunt more.

I am considering a mounting that is transferable/removeable for a few reasons. Have got a few good ideas from here and OS.

christover

[zooki]

Alljap in Brisbane 07 3865 2221 currently have a P/S system off a Sierra, I paid $400 for mine a year ago to give an idea of what price may be.

you get a box, pump, brackets, lines the whole lot no mods no stuffing around.
the box is supposed to be Jimny if it ever needs work but I cant confirm.

only difference is you cant fit the steering stabiliser back on, if you need it (I still did) then you need to make something like the Calmini mounts.

[christover1]

Are people with Sierras happy with the "power" of their power steer.
Particularly at low speed/idle.
Have been told Vit box may not be strong enough over 31" tyres, or at idle.
Haven't heard anything about the toyota cressida box, though have driven one on 30's without issue.
I'm guessing the toyota hilux type would be powerful enough, if fittable.

christover

[sierrajim]

My Vitara power steering pump and box turns my 36x12.5 tyres pretty well. Only thing i have added is a cooler for the power steering fluid.

Although i think the MQ diffs have longer steer arms than the zook diffs which would make it easier on the steering box.

[christover1]

My Vitara power steering pump and box turns my 36x12.5 tyres pretty well. Only thing i have added is a cooler for the power steering fluid.

Although i think the MQ diffs have longer steer arms than the zook diffs which would make it easier on the steering box.

I won't be going any larger than my Mongrel 32's so that should be fine.
If it gave out before bending steering gear, that could be a bonus

christover

[BenT]

I've just finished putting a cressida box in my zuk. I had an adaptor plate laser cut so its all bolt in. The cressida box fits in beautifully even with the stock radiatior in place. Might need to lightly BFH the inner guard if you don't have a bodylift, but only by 5mm or so.
I used the vitara power steering pump. The Vitara pump and Cressida box both have a short hose on the pressure side with the same end fitting, so I just had a 600mm hard line made up with M16 flare nuts each end.
The Tarago (or Liteace over here) pitman arm fits the box and is the same length and drop as the zuk pitman arm. It just has a lot bigger taper in it for the balljoint.
A vitara arm will apparently fit, but its pretty flat, so the nut on the balljoint could be really close to hitting the chassis rail.
I've got a borrowed welded ( I know...) zuk/cressida one on there at the mo until I get my SPOA done and can use the Tarago arm.
The stock zuk steering input shaft bolts straight on with a little slotting of the holes. No modifying of the length or anything.

It's so much better to drive with the power steering in. I've got 31x10.5's, and it easily turns them on pavement with just the palm of my hand on the wheel at idle. The Vitara pump seems plenty strong enough. Haven't had it offroad yet tho, but I drive mostly mud anyway.

My box cost $26, pump $32, Tarago pitman arm $2, all from Pick-a-Part. The laser cut plate and countersunk cap screws were probably the most expensive bit.
I could make some more if anyone is interested.

Ben

[christover1]

THanx for all the help/ideas/opinions every one. 4 wheelers rock

Does any one know if the Vitara ps box bolts up to the Sierra steering shaft/column bit without issues?? Still thinking this thru

christover

[christover1]

I'm fitting Vitara Power Steer complete to my Sierra.
My choices are, make a wedge plate to mount box so as to have little angle on the rag joint (at the box end of shaft).....
Or, mount the Steering box flat to chassis (easiest way) and deal with the sharp angle.
Whilst trying to locate a steering column uni joint at the wreckers,(to deal with the angle) I realised I could have the rag joint at top of steering column, thus having very small angle on the rag joint, and the sharper angle on the steering uni, thats normally at the top.
This would possibly achieve fitment using only standard zook bits?
(I think the uni off the hilux may fit, but column needs shortening, or need to get hold of a later model collapsible column)
I have the space (One Litre set up has no power brake booster in the way).. But haven't got the Vitara bits yet, so cant do proper measuring...So....
Does anybody know if it matters which end rag joint goes?

Christover

[christover1]

Still waiting for the bitz


christover

[mike]

I am starting my education on power steering conversions for my Sierra. (as I am getting soft)
I haven't decided wether to use my multi V belt duel pulley or my normal V belt, yet.
Main question is; does the box and pump have to be a matching set, ie from same or similar car?
I understand there may or may not be differences in line sizes and fittings, and V or multi v.
I'm sure more questions will come to mind after I do the wrecker crawl/investigations.

Thanks in advance, Christover.

Dunno if it's too late Christover but easiest fit up is vit pump with Jimny box. still some stuffin around with pulleys but Jimny box bolts straight in where sierra one did (you will also have to shorten steering linkage.

[christover1]

Down here the Jimny bits are made of gold, and are way out of my price range.
Altho' fitting the vit ps box will be more difficult, it will be better/cheaper and more spares easily available in future.
Also I like the idea of matching box and pump, no need to worry about flow rates/pressures etc and parts will go together easily, and replacement stock parts is a more easy, too.
Would love the easy fitting of a Jimny PS box.
Vit pump is best for me as I already have multi v belts (donk from swift/barina)
thanx for input, all helps.
christover