[Ludi]

Hi there all. We have just purchased a Sierra SJ80 and were wondering if there was a way to get power steering as it is hard to steer when driving on the road at low speeds.

A local Suzuki specialist is telling me they can do it for $1,650, but I was hoping there was another less expensive way???

Any ideas

[Rusho]

You could get a DIY kit and buy the parts for well under 1k, actually shit loads under. Bent i think is his user name on here, does a kit for a couple of hundred bucks.

[steak_knife]

Rusho81 wrote:

You could get a DIY kit and buy the parts for well under 1k, actually shit loads under. Bent i think is his user name on here, does a kit for a couple of hundred bucks.

http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... pic&t=7687

Try here

[Rusho]

I think fatzook has a vit pump, box lines etc. PM him and find out

[PJ.zook]

I got a full Vit setup im thinkin of selling, was gonna use it in sierra. Steering may be heavy, but it keeps the guns toned hehe.

[Damo]

These guys are talking about adapting a Vitara power steering box. Just a FYI, there is also a bolt on option which comes from a Jimny. These are harder to find and consequently more expensive than Vitara parts.

[Fatzook]

I pickeup a jimny power steer setup from a wreckers for $650 a few years back. Bolts straight on, no issues. But since then I have only see them sell for over $1K

The Vit steer can be fitted for less than $1k if you get the BenT kit, but you may still need a custom high pressure line ( as I do ATM) and this is where the price will vary. Some hose places are insanely dear!!!

[Reubs]

Ludi wrote:

We have just purchased a Sierra SJ80 and were wondering if there was a way to get power steering as it is hard to steer when driving on the road at low speeds.

Is there something wrong? What tyres/suspension are you running? They aren't ridiculously heavy normally. I have a stock SJ80, and one lifted, 31s, rtc damper etc, and neither needs power steer IMO.

[atari4x4]

i know i'm linking to OL but to who would be interested there is a jimny power steering set up for sale $850

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic193264.php

[Ludi]

The Mrs thinks it is a bit heavy - but as we knew nothing about the car before we have since realised that the tyres being at 32psi was a bad thing (they recommend 20psi) which has lightened the steering heaps for some reason.

[appsie]

wouldnt the tyres pumped up make it easier?? i thought

I was also going to link that jimny setup off OL it is good buying but now that BenTs come through with the goods the vitara setup isnt such a bad option and definately much cheaper

[Fatzook]

appsie wrote:

wouldnt the tyres pumped up make it easier?? i thought

I was also going to link that jimny setup off OL it is good buying but now that BenTs come through with the goods the vitara setup isnt such a bad option and definately much cheaper

I reckon the jimny steer at $850 is a better choice.

The vit high pressure lines need remaking, and the vit box occupies more space than the jimny one which can interfere with your radiator. Not to mention that the collapsable steering shaft/ rag joint assembly is too long with the longer vit box....

Even with BenT's kit (which is a great product) there is still more work that needs to be done to get your steer up and running.

JMO
Pete

[zooker]

x2 on the jimny setup.

Its freakin awesome

[want33s]

Jimny is readily available and is a good option but isn't EXACTLY the same as Sierra power steer. Jimny pitman arm is shorter so you lose some steering speed and lock.
Look OS for Sierra powersteer.... I got mine from NZ via www.trademe.co.nz not cheap but still less than Jimny setup.

[Bruce]

What do you mean about Speed Jas? I assume you mean lock to lock is not as fast as gen Sierra Power steer?

[want33s]

By steering speed I mean that because a Jimny has a (slightly) shorter pitman arm the wheels will turn slower than a sierra box given the steering wheel is turned at same speed.

[Bruce]

Thanks

[Damo]

Bruce wrote:

What do you mean about Speed Jas? I assume you mean lock to lock is not as fast as gen Sierra Power steer?

He's referring to the length of the pitman arm in comparison to the knuckle length. If both have the same length then the ratio is 1:1 and the kuckle moves as fast as you turn the pitman arm. If the Jimny arm is shorter I would think the speed would be quicker but the arm may not come around enough to give you full lock.

I haven't seen these myself but I can't think that the Jimny arm is so short that it wont give full lock???

Has anyone measured them?

[Hybrid]

Damo wrote:

If the Jimny arm is shorter I would think the speed would be quicker

I think you've got your head around this wrong damo. The longer the arm the longer the lever. Think of a 50mm arm and a 100mm arm. If you turn both of them 20degrees around their arc the tip of the 100mm one will have travelled further. I'd do you a noobcad but I'm at work where we only have real cad

[Damo]

Hybrid wrote:

Damo wrote:

If the Jimny arm is shorter I would think the speed would be quicker

I think you've got your head around this wrong damo. The longer the arm the longer the lever. Think of a 50mm arm and a 100mm arm. If you turn both of them 20degrees around their arc the tip of the 100mm one will have travelled further. I'd do you a noobcad but I'm at work where we only have real cad

Right you are maybe I should start having a beer at breakfast

[Hybrid]

Yep, beer + morning -> increased geometry ability. It's science.

[want33s]

Jimny pitman arm is about 15-20mm shorter than Sierra.

[steak_knife]

want33s wrote:

By steering speed I mean that because a Jimny has a (slightly) shorter pitman arm the wheels will turn slower than a sierra box given the steering wheel is turned at same speed.

Jimny steering wheel is 1/2 the size of a std sierra steering wheel, have you tried a sport's wheel to see if that would compensate??

[want33s]

steknig wrote:

want33s wrote:

By steering speed I mean that because a Jimny has a (slightly) shorter pitman arm the wheels will turn slower than a sierra box given the steering wheel is turned at same speed.

Jimny steering wheel is 1/2 the size of a std sierra steering wheel, have you tried a sport's wheel to see if that would compensate??

NUP..
I have a GENUINE Sierra powersteer box..

[BenT]

Fatzook wrote:

The vit high pressure lines need remaking, and the vit box occupies more space than the jimny one which can interfere with your radiator. Not to mention that the collapsable steering shaft/ rag joint assembly is too long with the longer vit box....

Why do you ned to remake the high pressure line?? The Vitara one usually fits fine with a little tweaking.

The kit also has a spacer to fix the radiator interference issue (assuming you run a standard radiator). The steering shaft is also easily fixed by drilling out the plugs and compressing slightly.

The factory Sierra or Jimny P/S is a good option, but they are pretty hard to find, especially with you guys buying them from over here in NZ!

Ben

[Hybrid]

Slightly off topic but I try to mention it every time I see it posted. With the collapsible steering shaft its not necessary to drill out the plugs to colapse it. If you stand it end on with some timber you can tap it down with a mallet to the right length. I've also relengthened one by running some tube down and tapping it back out. This way the nylon plugs stay intact and the shaft stays as firm as stock.

I agree with Ben about the high pressure line too. I never had an issue with the stock one.

[Fatzook]

BenT wrote:

Fatzook wrote:

The vit high pressure lines need remaking, and the vit box occupies more space than the jimny one which can interfere with your radiator. Not to mention that the collapsable steering shaft/ rag joint assembly is too long with the longer vit box....

Why do you ned to remake the high pressure line?? The Vitara one usually fits fine with a little tweaking.

The kit also has a spacer to fix the radiator interference issue (assuming you run a standard radiator). The steering shaft is also easily fixed by drilling out the plugs and compressing slightly.

Ben

My high pressure line hit on quite a few things.

I have had to move my radiator but have had complications due to fitting a very large condensor at the same time, so maybe thats why....

And if you have a 1 litre or early NT sierra you may not have a collapsable shaft, as was the case with mine, so cut and shut is the only way to make it short enough to work with the Vit box.

Pete

[HarryHoudini]

Does anyone have a photo of the Jimny pump on a Sierra?,having problems fitting the Jimny Power line to it,will get a new line made up(Pirtek) eventually. TIA

[jonfromhamilton]

I've found pirtek to be super expensive, auto power steering places seemed better imo

[HarryHoudini]

jonfromhamilton wrote:

I've found pirtek to be super expensive, auto power steering places seemed better imo

Yeah,i'm near Lismore, Northern NSW,so not a lot of options,looking at $200+. I've fitted the Jimny pressure line but it looks like the original so its around 18 years old.Its goes under the pump and hangs down a bit low and reluctant to bend it,thought there may be a trick in fitting it as lots of guys seem to use it on Sierra's.