Electric power steering for M35A2 Deuce

[JSBIRD69]

I hit 70 years this past summer, and already having bad shoulder joints, my A2 Deuce is really testing my body this year.

I've read how others have adapted various power steering systems to their A2's, but wonder if modern electric power steering,
either in the form of an electric pump/conventional sector, or the shaft assist system, coul be a solution for me.

Anyone tried this method? If I can't get some steering assist, I'll probably have to rehome my truck.

Thanks,

Jay

 

[canadacountry]

I'm not sure about e-steer as its quite new as far as finding any secondhand heavyduty ones goes (save for wrecked highway tractors with relatively intact frontend) but hmm might or might not be your thing to recheck about certain old buses and tractors (kenworth in particular re latter) for air powersteer provided mainly by ross but also some others too

 

[JSBIRD69]

After watching about 487,591 videos on YT about electric power steering, consulting with my local mechanical wizard, and checking some prices, I've decided to proceed cautiously to adapt a steering assist module to my A2's steering shaft.

I don't need one finger steering when stopped, I just need some reasonable traveling assist for my ailing shoulder joints.

From first looks, I'm guesstimating around $250 in parts, and should never even have to climb under the truck to fit the power steering assist unit in place.
But I will be down and intimate with the engine bay and drivers floor area.

Will also need a 12 volt tap to power the unit, I think around 30 amps peak, as the unit doesn't have a draw except when under load in one direction or the other.

I'll keep this forum up to speed on my progress...if this works, this may be the answer to lot's of SS power steering desires.

Jay

 

[Cajunkr]

Hi Jay,
Any progress with using an electric power steering unit such as from a Kia Soul?

Kelly

After watching about 487,591 videos on YT about electric power steering, consulting with my local mechanical wizard, and checking some prices, I've decided to proceed cautiously to adapt a steering assist module to my A2's steering shaft.

I don't need one finger steering when stopped, I just need some reasonable traveling assist for my ailing shoulder joints.

From first looks, I'm guesstimating around $250 in parts, and should never even have to climb under the truck to fit the power steering assist unit in place.
But I will be down and intimate with the engine bay and drivers floor area.

Will also need a 12 volt tap to power the unit, I think around 30 amps peak, as the unit doesn't have a draw except when under load in one direction or the other.

I'll keep this forum up to speed on my progress...if this works, this may be the answer to lot's of

 

[JSBIRD69]

Hi Jay,
Any progress with using an electric power steering unit such as from a Kia Soul?

Kelly

Hey Kelly,

Thanks for checking in. I'm still in the study/planning stage of my project.

One of my nearby SS friends has consented to let me have a spare A2 steering column, and my local auto dismantler will supply a
steering assit module from a Toyota or KIa for $100.

I'm surrounded by talented fabricators, and that coupled with my own incredible mechanical genius and humility, gives me hope that
I can really pull this off.

I'm still moving forward...however slowly. I'll keep this post updated with any progress I make.

Jay

 

[Cajunkr]

Hey! For myself, it seems easy given the number of videos of people doing this to off-road dune buggies and such. What I like is that it’s a solid shaft with couplings maintaining control even if the assist fails. I wouldn’t try rock crawling with it but generally there’s not a lot of steering wheel wrenching while going off-road. The only other thing I ran across is the possibility of the EPS motor having an over heat sensor that could shut it down. I’m not really sure how the motor would get that hot unless the truck was put through an obstacle course of left to right oversteering. just my thoughts over the last year.
I’m planning to put hydraulic power steering but thought since I’m having to cut the shaft anyway, trying the EPS might be a cheaper start. Connecting the EPS in line with the steering gear and steering wheel is the critical part. With out power, it’s even harder to turn the steering wheel.
So I’m thinking the outer covering has to be cut away, in the area that the EPS is going to mount, exposing the inner shaft. Measuring and cutting the shaft, then installing the couplings, connecting the EPS, then fabricating a bracket to secure it to the frame.
Any other tidbits (areas of concern) that you have run across?

Kelly

 

[JSBIRD69]

Hey! For myself, it seems easy given the number of videos of people doing this to off-road dune buggies and such. What I like is that it’s a solid shaft with couplings maintaining control even if the assist fails. I wouldn’t try rock crawling with it but generally there’s not a lot of steering wheel wrenching while going off-road. The only other thing I ran across is the possibility of the EPS motor having an over heat sensor that could shut it down. I’m not really sure how the motor would get that hot unless the truck was put through an obstacle course of left to right oversteering. just my thoughts over the last year.
I’m planning to put hydraulic power steering but thought since I’m having to cut the shaft anyway, trying the EPS might be a cheaper start. Connecting the EPS in line with the steering gear and steering wheel is the critical part. With out power, it’s even harder to turn the steering wheel.
So I’m thinking the outer covering has to be cut away, in the area that the EPS is going to mount, exposing the inner shaft. Measuring and cutting the shaft, then installing the couplings, connecting the EPS, then fabricating a bracket to secure it to the frame.
Any other tidbits (areas of concern) that you have run across?

Kelly

Kelly,

I like the way you think.

Jay

 

[Cajunkr]

Kelly,

I like the way you think.

Jay

Hey Jay,

So, since I’ll have to cut the steering shaft on the deuce to install hydraulic power steering, I think I’ll just install the EPAS unit from a Equinox/Vue and see how that works out. I found a control circuit that will control the power output of the assist motor. It’s usually in a 50% default mode (operates as if the vehicle is moving at 43mph). Now I’ll be able to adjust it from 0-100% with the turn of a knob. Would you happen to know the steering shaft diameter? 3/4” or 1” etc? I’ll plan to use straight couplers to join it together. And a brace to support the motor, probably attached to the frame and fender for support.
I’m also on the Facebook group M35A2 Deuce and a Half. Kelly Rawlinson. I’ll hopefully get it done in a couple of months. Finishing up the motor improvements now.

 

[JSBIRD69]

Hey Jay,

So, since I’ll have to cut the steering shaft on the deuce to install hydraulic power steering, I think I’ll just install the EPAS unit from a Equinox/Vue and see how that works out. I found a control circuit that will control the power output of the assist motor. It’s usually in a 50% default mode (operates as if the vehicle is moving at 43mph). Now I’ll be able to adjust it from 0-100% with the turn of a knob. Would you happen to know the steering shaft diameter? 3/4” or 1” etc? I’ll plan to use straight couplers to join it together. And a brace to support the motor, probably attached to the frame and fender for support.
I’m also on the Facebook group M35A2 Deuce and a Half. Kelly Rawlinson. I’ll hopefully get it done in a couple of months. Finishing up the motor improvements now.

I'm sorry to say, I do not know the steering shaft diameter. I have a lot on my plate right now, and haven't made much headway on my project.
I'm glad you're proceeding with yours, and look forward to your progress.
If you pull this off, you'll be a hero to our community!

Jay

 

[SteelNinja]

After watching about 487,591 videos on YT about electric power steering, consulting with my local mechanical wizard, and checking some prices, I've decided to proceed cautiously to adapt a steering assist module to my A2's steering shaft.

I don't need one finger steering when stopped, I just need some reasonable traveling assist for my ailing shoulder joints.

From first looks, I'm guesstimating around $250 in parts, and should never even have to climb under the truck to fit the power steering assist unit in place.
But I will be down and intimate with the engine bay and drivers floor area.

Will also need a 12 volt tap to power the unit, I think around 30 amps peak, as the unit doesn't have a draw except when under load in one direction or the other.

I'll keep this forum up to speed on my progress...if this works, this may be the answer to lot's of SS power steering desires.

Jay

please keep us informed..

 

[Jeepsinker]

Stock box is already a weak point. Putting more input force on it doesn't seem like a great idea. I know others have done this with hydraulic servos, and at least one company offers a kit to do this, but I've never been a fan of this method of power steering on these trucks.
Regardless, if you're going to do this I feel like the hydraulic servo method would be better and more reliable. And like I said, there's already a kit to do it.

 

[oddshot]

I saw this video the other day and just remembered a post on this site looking for information on this sort of thing.

The truck seemed similar in size and weight, so the parts being discussed might be interesting.

Somebody will be along shortly to explain why it won't work.

 

[Cajunkr]

Ken from Epowersteering.com said they have used this kit on several M35A2s over the last couple of years. He said he recommends putting a 20 amp resettable fuse in line to prevent the Assist motor (estimated at 1 horsepower) from over torquing the original steering gearbox. Also using the power control dial lets the driver control the steering assist strength. Another benefit of using the Assist motor is it will keep the steering wheel from jerking back and forth like a dampener. Ken said that if necessary, adding a 2 degree caster adjustment will help the steering want to return to center, but carefully evaluate the performance before making this adjustment. The couplers will need to be adjusted for the 1” diameter original steering shaft to the 3/4” splined motor shaft. And welding the connector was advised. I did see there was a heat sink available for the control box if it seems to get hot during use.
I think that was all the points covered in the phone conversation. While it’s probably not the best option for off-roading, it may be useful for the pavement only trucks such as the fire engine in the video above. Situational Awareness is always paramount especially as we get older! We don’t bounce like we use too!

 

[canadacountry]

@Cajunkr mind your silly final words, equine lovers have their own takes on that too. especially with comparing a young rider who fell off then immediately get back up on like nothing versus the old adult wanting to take a while to check that they haven't broken anything [in themselves] yet

oh and don't get me started with a silly baseball cap I saw at a horse show once some time before covid itself, the cap spelled "if you can read this, put me back on my horse!" upsidedown .. think about it, if you're reading the cap then whoever was wearing the cap is probably on the ground.
snorts and chuckles at how silly this indeed is