Power steering conversion question

[Dsquared]

I'm about three quarters of the way through converting from manual steering to power steering. I'm installing the 4x4x2 box mod. I'm at the point where I need to connect my manual steering shaft to the power box. I've seen several couplers offered by the bronco sites. Has anyone done this using parts from a junk yard. The shaft on the box is a 36spline D shape. I'm going to need to cut my current shaft.

Thanks for the comments.

 

[BobbyA]

I am in the same boat. What is the best may to cut the steering shaft, and how much? Should I take the whole steering shaft out or leave it in the truck while I do it. PLEASE let us know.

 

[SteveL]

It's been a long while. I just hit it with the sawzall. I did it while not attatched to the box. Then I put the box on and measured the lower piece to the u-joint. You need the u-joint. I forget if the 4x4x2 box is longer than the manual, but I know the angle to the box was different than the shaft comes out of the firewall. Make sure you do it where the u-joint clears the inner fender.

 

[Dsquared]

The 4x4x2 box is longer (closer to the fire wall) and the clearance between the shaft on the box and the inner fender wall is tight. I don't see how only one universal will do the trick. I'm think two will be required.

I plan on cutting my steering column shaft in the vehicle with a saws all or cutting wheel. I'm just not sure how I'm going to mate it up with the power box. Hoping some more folks read this and help out.

thanks

 

[SteveL]

Check and see if your lower shaft doesn't also fit the new box. I think mine did on both broncos. Otherwise flaming river makes nice adapters to fit any combo.

 

[Pokey71]

This is what i did. a $70 Flaming river u joint from WH and some time beats the hell out of $200 for a custom slip joint. PM me if you have any question, i just did that swap last weekend

 

[SteveL]

The slip joint is a good idea if you have alot of hard landings on your front end.. I haven't had a problem without one but I don't jump my broncos. One of my friends caught air in his bronco and it broke some steering parts in the shaft. Now he runs a nice collapsable shaft he built.

 

[Dsquared]

pm you with some more questions. Thanks for the feed back.

 

[kwspony]

The shafts on the inside of most GM columns is double D type. This is what I used for my lower shaft along with a flaming river ujoint.

 

[racebronco]

I took the lower shaft with the 2wd box when I picked it up from the junkyard. one end was splined to the box, the ujoints & rag joint were trashed. I cut the end of the splined part of the ujoint & welded it to another shaft I had from a towncar. then cut my shaft about 12-15 inches (guessing here) & squared the end to fit in to the second ujoint opening. I'll try to get a pic up this week..

 

[Pa PITT]

There is supposed to be a belt joint that will work from the wrecking yard but it's like 1981 chevy tr 1 ton only.. like your ever going to find it.. I had about 40 different joints and ended up paying 65.00 for a chrome u-joint ...It's the only piece of chrome other than my door handles on my Bronco ..(Black Out ) ..
I know that when I used to have my parts house I could find u-joints that were not chrome..and 20.00 bucks but not when I had my Bronco ..65.00