Specifications

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FRONT CROSSMEMBER:
The early Jeeps used a bell crank mounted on the front crossmember, and this crossmember
was originally located in the engine compartment. If an engine swap has been performed, we
recommend installing a new crossmember located further forward, directly in line with the front
grill. When installing the Saginaw conversion, this new crossmember will require an access
hole that is roughly 2-1/2” in diameter to provide clearance for the steering spud shaft clamp.
This access hole allows the steering spud shaft to extend through and into the engine
compartment. In most cases, the front crossmember must be reinforced on both the top &
bottom because of the diameter of the access hole.
STEERING BOX LOCATION:
The power steering box will require every bit of space between the bumper and front crossmember. It will usually require you to modify
the lower flange of the front bumper by notching it for added clearance. The actual positioning of the steering box should be
accomplished by bolting the box to the plate provided, and then temporarily clamping the plate and box to the inner frame rail until
an ideal position is achieved. Make sure this position allows the steering spud shaft to extend through the front crossmember and
into the engine compartment. Once in position, the plate must be completely welded to the frame. Since this plate encounters extreme
forces from the steering system, the welding of this plate should be done by a certified welder.
We have provided a pair of 3/16” thick steel frame enclosures to box in both of your frame rails, providing a good base for welding
the steering box mounting plate. The steering box mounting plate must have a solid surface for welding and positioning. The extra
plate is simply supplied for boxing of the passenger side frame rail. On vehicles equipped with winches, it may be necessary to
offset the winch bumper to allow for the steering box clearance.
When using either of the two mounting plates, P/N 716826 or P/N 716838, you will be required to have these plates welded
onto your frame rail. Both plates are made of steel so that a good weld can be made. These welds should be made only by a qualified
welder. Do not short change your installation with a poor quality weld of these mounting plates to your frame rail. The plates should
be welded along the complete perimeter. We have included a special frame-to-steering mounting plate gusset, P/N 716832, to
provide additional support from the outside of your frame rail to the bottom of the steering box mounting plate.
SAGINAW STEERING BOXES:
Power and Manual steering gear boxes are very similar. We have already illustrated what the two boxes should look like. Normal
applications were on GM cars, but a few other vehicles are also using the same boxes. The steering box must be able to mount
on the inside frame rail of your vehicle, with the input shaft extending horizontally toward the firewall. This input shaft is normally
not long enough to extend fully into the engine compartment to couple with the steering driveshaft. This is why we offer steering spud
shafts to extend these steering input shafts. On occasion, we carry power steering boxes which are listed at the end of
the steering section.
Power: Not all power steering boxes are the same. Beginning in the late 1970s, three different power steering boxes have
been produced. Before this, they were all externally the same. The major difference to be concerned with is the input shaft
diameter. The most common style has a major diameter of .800" 36 spline, but we’ve also seen a .730 diameter 30 spline.
A smaller input shaft is sometimes found on power steering boxes in light midsize cars, which is not compatible with the spud
shafts produced by Advance Adapters.
On power steering boxes, you will be required to use four bolts when using our mounting plate, P/N 716838. The 4 bolts must
be installed from the bracket side into the steering box. Some of the newer Chevy boxes come only with a 3 bolt mounting flange.
This is similar to the manual steering boxes. P/N 716838 will still work on these boxes. DO NOT drill out the threads in the
power steering box assembly.
Manual: The manual boxes have variable input shaft lengths. The manual boxes that we recommend have an input shaft
extending approximately three to four inches away from the main housing. The stock input shafts for these boxes can be found
with a diameter of .730”, and either 30 or 36 splines. The connection of this spud shaft to the input shaft is accomplished with
a special clamp that locks these shafts together.
saginaw steering conversions (1941-79)