After
driving the FJ40 for a few miles, I realized that I was in desperate need
of power steering. Yea, I am weak, and am used to using just one hand to
steer :-). So, being that I still live in a studio apt, and had
limited fabrication abilities I decided that I would purchase a
power steering bracket kit for my truck. After looking at all the options
out there, I finally decided on what looked to be the strongest, best
designed kit avilable.
I gave Paul Decker of Deckers
Off Road a call. He sent me out a full power steering box kit.
Starting
This kit
includes everything you need to install a Saginaw power steering box on
your FJ40. The kit also reinforces both frame rails inside and out. This
is very beefy stuff. The box mounting plate is aprox 1/2" thick
plate, while the other brackets are 3/8" thick plates. The passenger
side frame reinforcement plate has a cutout to show the VIN number on the
frame. This kit is very well thought out.
I
began by grinding the paint off the frame, and positioning the plates on
the frame rails. once I had them in the correct spot, I clamped them
into place, and fully welded them on. Make sure you have a good welder,
as you will want good penetration. The most difficult part of this was
welding the underside of the brackets. make sure you are skilled in
underside welding (I am not). I had a few bad spots that I had to grind
out, and reweld.
This is
what it should look like after you fully weld the plates on. you will also
see the top support plate welded on. This gives great strength to the
front frame. You can see the cut out to allow viewing the VIN number on
the frame.
Now I
moved on to the more difficult side. This side is a little harder
because you have to cut out the bottom part of the frame in order for
the bolt sleeves to pass through the frame. With everything lined up, I
saw that I had to cut two slots in the bottom of the frame. Out came the
trusty plasma torch. If you don't have a plasma cutter, a grinder will
also work, but will take a little longer. After cutting the frame, and
clamping the two pieces on to the frame, I fully welded the plates. they
will look very similar to the passenger side. Once the two sides were
fully welded, I welded the top support on.
Now
all you have to do is bolt up the power steering box, and away you go.
This is one of the beefiest kits out there. I don't think I could ever
rip this box from the frame.
This
kit also extends the frame about 2 inches, this is so when you do a
shackle reversal you have plenty of frame left to mount the spring
hangers, a very nice touch.
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