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FJ40 power steer conversion, alternate to 55 column

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 8:43 am
by micka1
I want to do a power steer conversion on my 1978 FJ40 , problem i'm having is that all the info i'm reading people are saying to get a 55 series column for the job , i've been looking for one for months now with no luck .
So what i would like to know is what other steering columns people are using and hopefully some pics and info on these conversions .

And yes i have used the search function .

any help is appreciated .
thanks micka1

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 9:55 am
by aussie_stu
I used a 60 series column, now I got lights/indicators/wipers all on the column, only thing is the wiring, but it's not that hard to make it work.

you can see it in this pic, sorta

Image

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 9:59 am
by vk7ybi
Go search ih8mud.com.. Thousands of theads detailing this conversion.. Basically involves installing a pillow block and bearing at the firewall end of the steering column shaft, or installing a bushing into the outer column to support the inner shaft.. You will have to get a spline machined to the firewall end of the shaft to adapt to the intermediate shaft.

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:44 am
by RAY185
aussie_stu wrote:I used a 60 series column, now I got lights/indicators/wipers all on the column, only thing is the wiring, but it's not that hard to make it work.

you can see it in this pic, sorta

Image
Did you shorten that 60 column? Mine sits further out from the dash than that.

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 11:32 am
by jessie928
hi man,

you can use the origional column,

get it cut and resplined, at the rag joint end. and ad a UNI joint

of if you have an early colun with no wheel lock, you dont even need to get it cut, you just need to install a bearing and carrier at the firewall end and slide the column shaft up it back into its usual space,

then all you need to use is the original rag joint to attach the steering shaft that connects to the uni at the powersteering box.

too easy

JEs

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 1:33 pm
by aussie_stu
yeah I did shorten it ray, can't remember how much, here's a pic of the original vs shorten outer tube, also had the have the shaft shortened and resplined.

Image

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 2:04 pm
by RAY185
Nice one, I like it. How handy is it having all the switching gear on the column. :armsup:

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:47 pm
by aussie_stu
dunno yet mate, the beast still hasn't made it out the shed :oops: been a couple o years in the build, got slack for a bit. :roll:

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:57 pm
by pcman
ive got a 75 colum in my 45 while it sits abit low its still fine for me

the 75 colum you can actually collapse and shorten just by using a hammer and a block of wood as there designed to colapse in a big accident

Re: FJ40 power steer conversion, alternate to 55 column

Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 8:21 am
by crustybj60
micka1 wrote:I want to do a power steer conversion on my 1978 FJ40 , problem i'm having is that all the info i'm reading people are saying to get a 55 series column for the job , i've been looking for one for months now with no luck .
So what i would like to know is what other steering columns people are using and hopefully some pics and info on these conversions .

And yes i have used the search function .

any help is appreciated .
thanks micka1

post up in the "wanted" section, i just did and had two offers for a 55 column in less than a week.

yes, you can use other columns, but the 55 seems to be the go if you don't want to mess around too much.

they are out there, just ask!

cheers
crusty

55

Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 9:18 am
by micka1
thanks everyone for the info . Any more on the 75 series column conversion .

i have posted up in the wanted section about 4 times with no luck at all , already rang a dozen wreckers too with no luck neither .