Thread: Fj40 power steering

Hi guys I have a 1974 fj40 and keen to make it a bit more driveable as I’m set to do a few more kms in it. Anyone have recommendations on improvements, I’m thinking power steering would be the obvious one.

I see some kits ranging from $400 to $1200usd. Any experience and anything available locally?

Cheers

Originally Posted by PerazziSC3

Hi guys I have a 1974 fj40 and keen to make it a bit more driveable as I’m set to do a few more kms in it. Anyone have recommendations on improvements, I’m thinking power steering would be the obvious one.

I see some kits ranging from $400 to $1200usd. Any experience and anything available locally?

Cheers

Some info on offroad exp mate;

https://www.offroadexpress.kiwi/Foru...pic.php?t=1173

"FJ40 - more driveable" - hehe...

Power steering will help with the effort required to turn the wheel from side to side, but it's only one part of the equation. I don't know how much work or how recently everything has been redone on yours, but refreshing all of the steering bearings and joints, spring bushes, shackles, shocks and fitting a steering damper if your's hasn't will also help a heap here. Steering rack ends will likely be sorted out with the replacement rack with the power steering kit? Other things that make incremental improvements include lightweight rims to get the unsprung weight down a bit if you are running heavy steel rims, as well as body mount bushes and anything that's sprung to minimise vibration transfer. Another is checking the engine and gearbox mounts out - on the off chance that they are on the way out as the donk flopping from side to side makes a huge amount of difference to direction keeping on the road. Tyre pressure and wheel alignment also play a part here.

It's something I find quite surprising as I often jump into work vehicles or other vehicles and it's like "do you know your mounts are stuffed?" or "jeez your tyres could use a pump bro" - and I usually get a blank look and a "what?"... "how can you tell?"... Bro, how can't you, this thing is all over the road like a mad chicken crapping in a paddock.

Originally Posted by No.3

"FJ40 - more driveable" - hehe...

Power steering will help with the effort required to turn the wheel from side to side, but it's only one part of the equation. I don't know how much work or how recently everything has been redone on yours, but refreshing all of the steering bearings and joints, spring bushes, shackles, shocks and fitting a steering damper if your's hasn't will also help a heap here. Steering rack ends will likely be sorted out with the replacement rack with the power steering kit? Other things that make incremental improvements include lightweight rims to get the unsprung weight down a bit if you are running heavy steel rims, as well as body mount bushes and anything that's sprung to minimise vibration transfer. Another is checking the engine and gearbox mounts out - on the off chance that they are on the way out as the donk flopping from side to side makes a huge amount of difference to direction keeping on the road. Tyre pressure and wheel alignment also play a part here.

It's something I find quite surprising as I often jump into work vehicles or other vehicles and it's like "do you know your mounts are stuffed?" or "jeez your tyres could use a pump bro" - and I usually get a blank look and a "what?"... "how can you tell?"... Bro, how can't you, this thing is all over the road like a mad chicken crapping in a paddock.

Yes all the steering is tight and been redone so I think power steering would really help things. The vehicle is in good condition but yes will check tyre pressure etc as well

Thanks

Done two fj45 power steering conversions and I would recommend the 60 series PS box route with 70 series tie rod and drag link. F250 shock towers. This method gets rid of the relay box as this is where most of the steering play comes from.



Need to get all the right parts and reinforce the chassis where the box goes on. Disk brakes are another good addition.

not a big fan of the armstrong steering?

Even fitting the later BJ steering box will make a difference

I've just done a power steering upgrade on my bj45. Definitely the best mod I've done.
I used a ln106 hilux power steering box and made a bracket to suit. It sits in the same spot as the original box, picks up the same mounting holes and uses all the same steering linkages including the 40 series arm off the box.

I've heard the 60 series conversion has a better lock/turning circle

I have a 60 series box and steering linkages I bought but didn't use if you want to go that direction.

As far as pumps go I would think about an electric hydrolic like the Astra pump. I hear this is the way to go.
I do however have two 40 series mechanical pumps if you want to do it on a budget

Will see if I got a pic of my bracket I made

The other mod I would look at is a suspension upgrade. Parabolic springs have been in the pipeline for 40s for the last 3 years and are set to be released at the end of the month.
I have retro fitted 75 series springs in the rear of my 45 and even though I haven't taken the truck for a road test yet the difference is noticed in just taking it in and out of the shed.

Originally Posted by Gkp

I've just done a power steering upgrade on my bj45. Definitely the best mod I've done.
I used a ln106 hilux power steering box and made a bracket to suit. It sits in the same spot as the original box, picks up the same mounting holes and uses all the same steering linkages including the 40 series arm off the box.

I've heard the 60 series conversion has a better lock/turning circle

I have a 60 series box and steering linkages I bought but didn't use if you want to go that direction.

As far as pumps go I would think about an electric hydrolic like the Astra pump. I hear this is the way to go.
I do however have two 40 series mechanical pumps if you want to do it on a budget

Will see if I got a pic of my bracket I made

Awesome thanks mate. I’m not capable of fabrication myself so would need to outsource anything. I’m not really sure what I should expect to pay for a setup. I’m not planning on doing heavy 4wd work in this vehicle so do you think the 60s box and mechanical pump work? What would be expected cost?

I paid $400 for the 60 series box and steering shafts.
Mechanical pump $100
Will need to sandwich plate and crush tube where the box goes
Shock tower F150/F250 can be bought out if the states for about $200ish. McKinnon Cruisers in aussie also do a kit if you don't want to get a grinder out
Need a few extra steering components which NZ32 can list
I had the locaal hydrolic hose guy do my lines for me. Cost $650

I imagine around $2k to 2.5k if you put it all together yourself.

Has anybody looked at the kits fitted to the steering column.
https://www.madirectionassistee.com/...fj43-fj45.html

Originally Posted by erniec

Has anybody looked at the kits fitted to the steering column.
https://www.madirectionassistee.com/...fj43-fj45.html

I've known one guy to have it and he liked it.
There was a guy up north that had one for sale. New unused

Originally Posted by erniec

Has anybody looked at the kits fitted to the steering column.
https://www.madirectionassistee.com/...fj43-fj45.html

Seen them around but had anyone cert'ed one before? Would be least intrusive to install but still won't take the play out of the steering.