Adding Power Steering

[Torry33]

i have a 86 GL 4X4 Wagon and it doesnt have power steering.im EJ swapping it and would like to have power steering since i will be lifting it and running larger tires.i have a Legacy parts car with power steering.will that rack work in a GL?also i noticed there is no hole in the GL crossmember for the lines to pass through so im assuming i need to change the crossmember to a power rack one.

[skishop69]

You have an EA81. The Legacy is an EJ series. The rack will not fit without lifting the vehicle and using an EA82 engine cradle and rack. You have to lift it because your lift blocks have to be stepped outwards to accommodate the wider EA82 cradle and rack. If this part is not done properly, you're flirting with disaster. You have to swap the cradle regardless since there are no power steering hose holes in the EA81 non-power steering cradle. I suppose you could get a smoke hatchet and make the holes yourself if you know where they go, but I personally wouldn't do it since heating the metal enough to cut it will weaken it. The EJ pump will work with either EA power rack, but you'll most likely have to have custom lines made since the bends and ends are different. Finding the correct EA81 cradle and rack will be less of a headache than trying to hodge-podge all your mismatched pieces together. IMO....

[silverhelme]

If I am not mistaken an '86 wagon would be EA82 and the one his picture shows definitely is. If I remember correctly the EJ can be swapped to the EA82 cradle. Easiest way is find an EA82 power cradle and swap, then mi and match hoses to fit.

[skishop69]

See now, 86 year throws me off every time. If it is EA82, yes, the rack should fit. I've never seen an EA82 without power steering, but then, all my EA82 knowledge for the most part is owning XTs. Someone straighten me out once and for all! lol

[rdweninger]

I have an '85 EA82 wagon with manual rack.      Also, all the other EA82's that I own have PS.