Side Steer converting to Center Steer

[Ducksmasher]

Ive got a 1992 60hp jhonson tracker pro, that came in the aluminum boat with side steerin.. i found a nice aluminum center console with switches and radio hole and i bought it. so now i need some parts to make this thing work... the first thing i noticed is i need is a longer steering cable. and longer throttle cables... so i started looking at the control box, and it is sort of backwards for the setup i would want. the tilt is on the right side and the box mounts on the right hand side... so i would need a control box that mounts to the left side, and has a tilt trim switch facing towards the left to properly mount it to the side of my console and use my right hand??? hrmm is there a control box that i might beable to use or retrofit to this motor? heh i already gave away the side steer console, so i have to make this work before duck season! argh what i do just for a radio in the boat.

 

[moderator1]

Re: Side Steer converting to Center Steer

Moving to Boats.

 

[DJ]

Re: Side Steer converting to Center Steer

Duck,<br /><br />Most control boxes allow the handle to be put on the other side of the control box. Just remove it and mount it on the other side.<br /><br />True, the trim switch will be backwards, however, you'll soon get used to it.<br /><br />The only other choice is a binnnacle mount. They can be pricey.

 

[Ducksmasher]

Re: Side Steer converting to Center Steer

hrmm ok. well i just thought i could mount it inside the console sort of facing up and down.. it might be a little awkward.. but it wouldnt be facing up in the air.. yeah i looked at the handle deal and the idle lever wont move and it faces up on the control box, there is no cutout on the dang thing to reverse it..

 

[Ducksmasher]

Re: Side Steer converting to Center Steer

oh forgot to mention this is the johnson black control box that has the alarm and electric choke/start etc. the steering deal has like a gear driven wheel and the cable goes to a rack at the motor. the cable on the steering end looks like it is somewhat fixed to the whole assembly? not sure if i can just switch out the cable..

 

[DJ]

Re: Side Steer converting to Center Steer

Duck,<br /><br />Rest assured, the handle can be installed on the other side of the box. I did it, a while back on my dad's 70 hp. Johnson-same control box. The warm up lever will still work.<br />You will now control the trim with your little finger instead of your thumb-works fine.<br /><br />Look at the back of the steering head (inside console). You should see a big cotter pin where the cable attaches to the head. Pull that pin and turn the steering wheel, the cable will walk out of the head.<br /><br />On the motor end, remove the tilt arm. It is the part that is on the left side of the engine and connects the steering cable to the tiller arm on the engine.<br /><br />Loosen the nut, (right side) where the cable goes into the engine and pull the cable out.

 

[Ducksmasher]

Re: Side Steer converting to Center Steer

cool, i will have a look in the morning when the mosquitoes arent as bad heh, i cant wait for teal season, ill be listenin to the radio, sittin in the boat at the lake and sippin on some lemonade, ahhhhh...

 

[Ducksmasher]

Re: Side Steer converting to Center Steer

OK i got the cables out of the motor and the steering rack at the motor.. so now i need to figure out what length of cabel i need and what type? the local boat store said to bring it in and the cables were like 130 or so for steering dont know about the throttle and the other one.. ok so whats the best way to figure out what length i need? thanks

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Side Steer converting to Center Steer

I just did a center console conversion, and I was able to use the same cables, I just ran everything down a tube under the center of the floor. Granted, I had replaced the floor and stringers, but if your boat is aluminum, there isn't much reason why you could unbolt the floor and run a tube. Everything is then out of the way. If you go the Project Boats and look at "Skanky Beast", you can see how I took a regular Merc control box and installed it so it comes through the dash and ends up like a top mount control. Either way, good luck and post pics.