Welcome to ROCKCRAWLER.COM (Add Power Steering to Your FJ-55)

By, Lance Williams

The FJ-55 is a lot of truck to move around on the trails. Now start putting a heavy amount of resistance from the rocks on your front end with no power steering. You'd think maybe Popeye would be better off driving your rig! Lance Williams has the answer. Check it out.

Add Power Steering to Your FJ-55

Step 6 Fabricating a new steering box mount/shock tower. I cut the 2' x 2' x ¼" plate steel into 5 main pieces and welded them together to form the new mount. (images are not to scale). Make sure to check fit, then paint new bracket.

Piece 1
Piece 1 This is the main piece, this front side view is as you would see it looking in through the wheel well. I drilled two holes in this piece to accommodate the front mounting bolts that screw into the side of the frame.

Piece 3
Piece 3 This is the top of the shock tower portion of the mount. I welded it to the top of piece 2. This piece is perpendicular to the main piece (#1). I drilled a hole in the center of this piece for the top of the shock to mount to.

Piece 5
Piece 5 This is the back side support. I welded it to the back of the main piece (#1) at 4.25" up from the bottom edge of piece #1. This piece is perpendicular to the main piece (#1). After assembling, I drilled three holes in the top side of this piece to accommodate the top mounting bolts that screw into the top of the frame.

Piece 7
More Braces More Braces - The middle and side brace are welded between piece #3 and piece #1. One at the left side and one in the middle, between the shock tower (#3) and steering box plate (#4). Because the shock tower (#3) is mounted at an angle from the main piece (#1) you will need to trim off some material from the back side of the base, near the apex of the triangle. This portion is indicated in the diagram by the dashed line.

Piece 2
Piece 2 This is the shock tower portion of the mount. I welded it to the main piece (#1) on top of the left side. It needs to be angled out a little to provide room for the body of shock. I angled mine out about 20 degrees.

Piece 4
Piece 4 This is the plate that the new power steering box will mount to. I welded it to the main piece (#1) on top of the right side. This piece is perpendicular to the main piece (#1). I drilled four holes in this piece to accommodate the bolts used to mount the new steering box. (Note: there will be a .25" gap between the steering box mounting plate and the shock tower. This is to accommodate for a middle brace to be added later.)

Piece 6
Piece 6 - The Front Brace (right side) is welded between piece #4 and piece #1 to provide support for the right side of the steering box mounting plate. There are two Rear Braces. One used at each end of the back side support between piece #5 and piece #1. (they go on the top side of piece #5)

On to Step 7