I have decided to put a power steering system from a 2000-2005 Toyota MR2 in my '49 F-47, which will be an electric pump feeding a power rack and pinion. I have the TCI Mustang II IFS with power rack already installed and have the electric pump from a 2001 MR2, fittings and pretty much everything except the pressure hose, a location and bracket for the pump.

I am now trying to decide where the best position for pump will be, I am currently thinking drivers side right over the frame just behind the upper control arm. There is also a ton of room in front of the rad but that will require much more bracket fabrication. I looked at my friend's stock '49 truck yesterday and took many pictures of all areas it could go so I can determine where it will fit. My trucks' front end sheet metal is all off so it's hard to tell where the inner fenders will sit, and sheet metal around the rad will be.

I'll post pictures as I go, for now I'll just post a stock picture of the pump so you can see how compact it is. It just runs on 12V and idles at about 4-5 amps. The built in controller has an option for variable pressure if you can give it a speed pulse signal from the tranny or other vehicle speed sensor, otherwise it will just provide max assistance full time. My tranny is an '87 AOD so I may be able to install an electric speed sensor in its' tailshaft, I also don't know what speedo I am installing yet either, all in the details to follow.

More as I progress. Anyone else put in the Toyota electric power steering or similar electric system?

Cheers

 

I’ll be watching as my new A/C brackets interfere with my power steering pump.

 

Too bad there isn't an electric driven A/C compressor. If it can drive a hydraulic pump you'd think A/C is possible. Looking forward to your install.

 

Teslas have them, but they run off 400v power. I think some hybrids also have them, but also at high voltages.

 

So interesting topic here - have you looked at the videos of the Toyota prius/corolla and the Nissan Versa/Cube steering boxes? These should allow you to loop your rack & pinion setup, and run it as a manual rack. The beauty of these 3 wire systems are they run in a failsafe mode instead of needing a coded ECU like the Saturn Vue and Chevy Cobalt.

I am looking to do the same with my stock steering box and steering column, run a koyo (toyota) system. EPS makes these retrofit kits for fords, as do a couple other places like Microsteer from the UK but they price is $$$. You can source any of these later model parts for $60-$100 from ebay or a pick a part if you have them (NJ does not let you walk junkyards anywhere anymore).

 

Good morning,

I haven't looked at the videos you mention, but have learned a lot from the electric car forum as they use the EPS system quite regularly.

The Toyota system is pretty easy to wire up, you can run it without speed sensor and it will just run full time rather than slow down or power off at various speeds like it was designed to do. My plan is to use it full time until I get my speed sensor connected, it's one of the 70's Ford cruise control units that goes on the speedo cable, 2 wires out, it should provide the pulses required but I haven't researched that in depth yet.

I fabricated the brackets on the weekend and painted them yesterday, I will post some pics once I get it installed, should be pretty slick. I chose the drivers frame rail in front of the IFS mount, just behind the rad. It fits perfectly and it's a short run for the hydraulic lines. Had a custom pressure line made yesterday and it fits perfect. Going to get the right fluid for it today, make some preliminary connections...may have it ready for testing by days end. Woo hoo!

More later.

Cheers

 

Definitely interested to see how yours turns out. I am a different situation with the lack if MII front suspension but the general application is very similar. Seems like the implementation is as straight forward as you say.

 

Here it is, all installed. I realized today when I installed the pressure hose that the person who built the hose for me used -4AN instead of -6AN fittings and hose like I asked for, 1/4" vs 3/8", probably not a big deal but I wanted to replicate what Toyota used in their system. Getting a new hose made tomorrow then I can test it. I have all the wires ready to install on the connectors and will do that tomorrow as well. I used 1/4" flat bar for the brackets, probably overkill but it's what I had in stock.

It's coming together nicely. More later.

Cheers

 

Nicely done.
Volvo also has an electric power steering system that is easily adaptable. Its the 2005-2013 Volvo S40/V50/C70. Like the Toyota it isn't tied the any type of engine or body control module so it can be used as a stand alone system.
I have a few Studebaker friends who have adapted them to their Avanti's. I think we'll probably be adapting the system to a 58 Packard here in the near future.

Bobby

 

I like it! I recently worked on our daily driver, 2013 Hyundai Azera, and was considering how I could incorporate its electric power steering unit into one of my projects. That unit needs quite a bit more real estate than the Toyota...I'll be interested to read how this setup works for you. Good job on the install...

Note: this might be a good solution for those wanting a hydroboost brake setup without existing power steering

 

That is great! Keep us posted.

 

Well wooo bloody hooo! It works!

I installed the new hydraulic hose and return line using auto trans cooling hose, and made a temporary harness with a power relay, filled the reservoir with Pentosin CHF11S fluid....powered it up and it works 100%, very cool. I'm amazed how easy it is to turn the input shaft to the rack.

I am very happy with the end result. I may take it off the wheel skates and try it but I am sure it will still be easy. So I highly recommend anyone who doesn't want to muck around with making a mechanical belt driven pump work on our old flatheads, give this a whirl..it's pretty cool.

More later including schematics and connection diagrams. Video link is below.

Cheers

Toyota PS in my '49 Ford