How to Add Electric Power Steering to a Willys Jeep

Adding an EPS setup to your factory Willys Jeep Ross steering box. With this video, you'll be able to see the pros/cons of the setup and tips for adapting your own steering system. I provide the steps involving the conversion, as well as a 3-month long term review of the setup.
Instagram: turn.n.burn.jeeps
Email for inquiries: [e-mail]
0:00 Intro
5:22 Removing old steering
8:22 Prepping the EPS unit
13:37 Welding stock column to EPS
15:27 column mocked up in the Jeep
16:25 Adapting a smaller steering wheel
16:16 sal's logo
20:39 Upper column bushing
22:54 Issues with the steering box
27:14 Oil sealing the steering box
27:37 Finished steering box
30:02 Completed EPS Unit
30:21 Reinforcing the fire wall
31:10 Hot wiring the EPS module
32:30 Testing the EPS
34:17 First impressions and improvements
38:06 3 Month Review

[@holeshot7819]

Wow, that was awesome work you put in there.

[@cleophusA]

Great video, and great job! I've been thinking about doing this type of steering to my '47 Willys PU, but ditching the original steering box in favor of a fast rate non-power Saginaw unit. I've never met a single Willys driver that doesn't cuss the factory steering boxes. Anyhow, great video and thanks for all the VERY useful information!

[@jackmehoff2961]

Sweet ride !

[@chadcarter9581]

Well done!! Love the idea

[@gafrers]

Top Quality and attention to detail

[@sturmbringer2011]

Looking at this for my M151A2. Thanks for the vid.

[@oby-1607]

Beautiful machine. Nice upgrade

[@ChevelleSS-yr3gb]

Like your ambition and ingenuity

[@sithinstructor]

Awesome upgrade. My dream steering upgrade is the Hudson steering box. Still manual, but I've heard it's far superior to the Willys box.

[@farmerbrown3768]

I sure wish I knew about this electric set up 3 years ago!

[@truth7416]

Awesome thanks!

[@BarryJoeBailey]

Nice conversion! I have an early CJ5 and used the Advanced Adapters steering conversion. I installed a Lee MFG rebuilt manual steering box, eliminating the Ross Cam and Lever system. I also installed a 70s Chevy tilt wheel with a 15" steering wheel. I run 33X10.50s, a locked D25 and it is marginally easy to steer. However, I'm going to see if your electric assist idea will fit with my application. Thanks for the excellent videos!

[@merdocksokolich418]

I also have an early cj5. I'm still finding out the the year. Only had it for a few months. It has a hydraulic pump. Might think about changing it. Also has a very small steering wheel with no tilt. I live in South Africa so getting cheap spares.

[@heavymetalmadness666]

Very interesting project. I have an old mustang and if it needs power steering , it will likely be electric. For that car one can just buy it , but it was expensive , something like 1500 or 2500. I want the engine bay clean and simple, and If I put a hang on ac unit under the dash, it is going to have an electric ac compressor hidden in the trunk or in a front fender well if it would fit there.

[@aserta]

I would honestly start from scratch with the worm gear. They're not too complicated to make if you have access to a lathe and mill. Just keep the housing and upgrade everything else. Like even the seals, i would make them floating type. Basically they register with a rubber gripper around the shaft, and the seal part is on the outside, inside the housing. Far superior to the way the normal stuff works, usually used in industrial stuff. I'd give such a setup decades before you need to start worrying about wear. Keith Rucker of Vintage Machinery fame has a few videos on making similar parts, also Tom Lipton made a drill bit out of plastic, but the setup is 99.9% the same.

[@StallionZoraa]

Great

[@jimmybritt9537]

You might consider building a complete custom rig to satisfy your needs . The moon buggy is the step up for you . You are young and will outgrow the jeep phase eventually . Moon buggy is the go anywhere unstoppable rig to think about 👍👍🇺🇸

[@TurnNBurn]

I enjoy the design constraints of the Willys. Getting stuck is half the fun.

[@jimmybritt9537]

@@TurnNBurn go to Mar Rock's and see what it's all about . That is design constraints 🤣👍👍🇺🇸

[@-oiiio-3993]

I'm 62 and haven't outgrown it yet.

[@johnrodney3272]

Great conversion. The eps gear itself is designed to take the torque on the output side with the mount there. That will hold the torque transferred from the electric drive. not the input side steering tube.

[@mehdiabiyat3509]

Hi John, What do you mean? Are you suggesting the EPS should be installed after the steering gear box? thanks

[@landon4278]

I just bought my EPS today. I don’t know how practical it will be, but I’m thinking about adding a dash switch for when I feel like I might add too much stress.

[@TurnNBurn]

I never use my dash switch. Probably wouldn't install it again

[@ShnitzlHaus]

nice timing I am doing this with a ford reverse box, when are you doing yours I would love to see it done first!

[@TurnNBurn]

Not sure, maybe this winter or early next year

[@mrspencerls]

Can't wait to see this conversion

[@markpospichal571]

Very well thought out and presented. My only question (worry)- is this setup electrically sealed well enough to survive fording where it will be submerged? The control box can be mounted up on the rollbar, but what about the unit itself?

[@TurnNBurn]

Unfortunately my Jeep is long past the point of being submersible

[@normstephens8354]

So ... has anyone tried adapting the Mustang II rack and pinion steering to the early CJs?

[@TurnNBurn]

By the time you articulate an axle upwards, there's no room for a rack and pinion. It'll likely hit the crank pulley

[@mehdiabiyat3509]

very detailed video. Did you decode your EPS to work or it worked straight up? I got the same one but I had to decode it. well done

[@TurnNBurn]

It worked right away

[@leerleerdrinkabeer]

Great video! Would you ever do a v8 conversion on a flat fender Jeep. That would be amazing. Thanks if you would! Because there isn’t any good videos doing an engine swap on a 2a to go by.

[@TurnNBurn]

Not at this time, as I'm boosting the flathead.

[@leerleerdrinkabeer]

@@TurnNBurn that’s cool! You’re really inspiring. I’ve been watching and learning from you for a long time now since you did the time lapse Mb frame up. I plan to put a holly sniper on my L134 like you did. I really hope you do a v8 swap sometime to show people like me how to do it right. Keep putting out great content. Can’t wait to see the boosted video!

[@tcmits3699]

I agree with leerleer, a modern v-8 all the accessories that fit and are plentiful. Modern ps adapt ac compressor for an air supply. It just seems your making it modern with an old flathead motor for sentimental reasons. Just my opinion, either keep it 100% stock or really make it modern ie (practical) I will say very interesting video, thanks for sharing and good luck 🤞

[@battlejack1863]

And Herman Tilford sells a power steering conversation kit for these jeeps i just bought one for my 64 cj6

[@TurnNBurn]

His kits are junk, and they never delived on time

[@battlejack1863]

@@TurnNBurn I’ve heard pretty good reviews on jeep forums

[@battlejack1863]

@@TurnNBurn I would certainly want that kit from him instead of that electric whatchyamacallit gadget you installed

[@muffinman3111]

I’d kill for that original column my jeep has a dirty old column out of a Chevy Vega and some homemade steering parts

[@markfeuerherdt2338]

What is that next to the speedometer on the right that says on/off? Thanks.

[@TurnNBurn]

Battery cut off switch

[@prestonwalker2545]

Can you link the eBay listing?

[@-oiiio-3993]

You kept the Ross system?

[@TurnNBurn]

Yes, as shown throughout the video

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@TurnNBurn But why?

[@TurnNBurn]

Explained throughout the video

[@battlejack1863]

@@-oiiio-3993 he stated in the video he bought a ford steering box for another upgrade later

[@CA.papaBear]

Imagine if electric power steering was invented back in the 1940s.. people would lose their goddang minds lol

[@albertoalberto8532]

Hola soy Alberto.. eso que le quieres hacer al jeep.... no va. Fue diseñado por ingenieros. Cámbiale piezas desgastadas por las mismas nuevas que en tu país se fabrican. De un jeepero a otro, déjalo original que él .. SUFRE.... saludos... Hi, I'm Alberto... what you want to do to the jeep... it won't work. It was designed by engineers. Change worn parts for the same new ones that are manufactured in your country. From one jeep to another, leave it original that he .. SUFFERS... regards...

[@johnpublic168]

Why? The jeep is so light it doesn't need assisted steering. Also if you want to design a off road vehicle design one. Don't destroy a great jeep.

[@TurnNBurn]

This is my favorite satire comment

[@rgnichols567]

All the jeeps I've had, the ross steering system was horrible. This made them dangerous to drive. I have swapped them out for a saginaw type steering, and for practical use, as well as safety, and dependability,, there

[@rgnichols567]

Is no way I would ever keep the old ross system.