steering box preference?

[bigbadchev84]

Is there any differences between these 2 boxes? The first one is currently on my 72' blazer. The other one is on my 84' shortbox Is one stronger than the other?

 

[Bent77]

No, but they have a different sized rag joints. The 72 has a 7/8" and the 84 will have a 5/8". THe newer ones use a o-ring metric line, the older a flared line.

 

[thatK30guy]

I wouldn't be driving the one in the top pic anymore with that crappy pitman arm.

 

[JDNobodi]

You also have a 2wd steering box on the top picture.
I don't know where but I've read somewhere the later model steering has a tighter ratio and has a variable ratio. I haven’t gone out to find out for my self yet.

 

[bigbadchev84]

It is on a 4wd and works in the same direction that my 84' Does.

 

[pauly383]

It is on a 4wd and works in the same direction that my 84' Does.

Yeah , but being fully splined , you can rotate the pitman arm any where you like , so of course it turns the same as your 84 , if its orientated that way .

You can see for your self by taking the arm off both so the're nekkid , painting a line on it , and turning the steering wheel

 

[JDNobodi]

That probably explains the messed up pitman arm. The 2WD box allows the pitman arm to be clocked in quarter increments. It's hard to tell from your picture but it looks like your pitman arm was pointing either to the side or to the back.

 

[bigbadchev84]

so is the 2wd one a pos or is it good enough for street duty and 38s?

 

[thatK30guy]

2wd box is good for crossover steering. Nothing wrong with either box. Just gotta make sure you have the right one for your application. And by application, I mean which type of steering do you want to run? Crossover or the stock front-to-back steering?

 

[bigbadchev84]

front to back is all that is in the budget

 

[JDNobodi]

People use the 2wd steering box for cross over steering so the box is strong enough. Your problem is your fubar pitman arm.

edit-**** I'm slow to reply

 

[thatK30guy]

front to back is all that is in the budget

I'd suggest you to swap the sector shaft for the correct one. Put it up in the Sale forums as someone is always looking for a 2wd shaft and you could trade for their 4wd shaft. And get their pitman arm, too, if you need the stock one. Otherwise get a drop arm from Skyjacker.

 

[bigbadchev84]

will the shafts between these 2 boxes interchange? May be a dumb question but what is the prob with running this one?

 

[JDNobodi]

If you want to switch sector shafts between the early model box and later box, you may not be able to because the later box may be variable ratio. I will see if I can find some pictures.

edit for this.