looking forward to the updates!!

 

Well this is good timing. As most of you know, I replaced damn near every wear part on my truck during my restoration. Well the steering shaft is one thing I didn't touch, and it figures that now it's starting to fail. Lower u joint has a significant amount of play, the upper one has a little. Looking forward to the update.

 

Stepson dropped the shaft off - I'll be putting it in tomorrow.

I picked up some shorter set screws I'll LockTite in instead of the longer ones with the lock nuts.

RwP

 

I just measured it - it's at 12 3/8"; if you cut, 12 1/4" may be a better trim.

12" might fit perfectly if you can get one that length.

Edit: I just went cruising through Ebay; they have one supplier that can sell a 12" shaft for $10 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/18-DD-Steeri...-/172051728756

Add to that two 3/4-36 x 3/4-DD U-joints, http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-4-36-Splin...-/252081268171 .

Looks like a ready to go can be obtained for under $85 ... the shaft is nominally a 18", but tell them and they'll ship a 12" for $6.50 plus shipping.

Note: All prices as of December 2016 for anyone cruising later.

RwP

 

Shaft is IN!

It feels nice with the newly reman'ed rack and the column that's been rebuilt.

Pics are attached of it installed; I have another set screw to dog down (I bought some at Tractor Supply at 3/8" and 1/2" - all 5/16-18 - so I wouldn't have as much sticking out, and I used blue Permatex thread locker to help them stay in place).

CPP does have a DD shaft with a rag joint at the bottom if those following wished to keep the rag joint (it helps to isolate the wheel from the road a bit; this might be even more desirable on a R&P design since they are, by nature, low in irreversability ... )

The 12 3/8" shaft fits; 12 1/4" would also fit; but I don't think - now that it's together - a 12" exact shaft would work. It would be very, VERY tight on the set screws on the CPP U-joints. OTGH, I bet the people I linked to off Ebay would sell you a 12.25" or 12.38" shaft precut, in case (like me!) you don't have the tools to trim it properly.

RwP

 

Welp, looks like i'll have to pull mine off one of these days so i can count the splines and get some measurements. Tired of being able to turn my wheel nearly 1/4 of the way without the tires moving

 

SUPPOSEDLY - if it's a Mopar, it's 3/4-36. But yes, do verify spline count.

The steering is velvet smooth with the wheels up in the air *grins* I'll be powering it either today, or tomorrow, and getting the truck to the alignment shop Monday AM.

It was a small bear to get in; I found it out it helps if you dog one set screw each end on the DD shaft, then unbolt the shaft end of the rack (loosening up the passenger side) from the frame, and with that, you can get it lined up and on. Also, unlock the column so you can twist it back and forth.

I didn't get a pic, but there's a notch on the steering column spline that I buried that set screw in to make sure it was as tight as possible.

I'll probably pull the wheel and recenter it after the alignment, if I can persuade the alignment tech to not do the tie rod ends to recenter.

RwP

 

Hey Ralph

Looks good!! The 4wd looks similar. But the factory shaft seems to be in 2 pieces where one appears to slide into the other...... I would assume its for collision..... But I believe the same setup would work.
Thanks for posting along with the pictures.

 

Yah, mine was like that also (two pieces; probably to allow for a collapse in case of a collision.)

CPP does sell a collapsible DD shaft; lemme see if I can pull it up.

Here's a pic: http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...PP1626-ADJ.htm

I'm sure other companies make them also.

Now, you'd have to trim BOTH shafts to get that to fit since the minimum is less than what I ended up with; I didn't even know about that, or I'd have tried it at least, to keep that safety factor.

Me? I just plan to avoid needing it to collapse by careful driving. Won't help ALL the time - I just about ended up with a Chevy Cruze hood ornament on my Cougar because some idjit decided to turn left in front of oncoming traffic (meaning the SuperDuty and my Cougar); luckily I stopped before that. (I SWEAR I was scuffing the dirt on that Cruze, it was so close ... but eh.)

RwP

 

Thanks Ralph. When I do this general procedure for my '93 4x4 I will also post up my specific findings.