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XJ steering swap

Element

Element

1/2 ton status
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Mar 23, 2007
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WV
Just got back from the junkyard to pick an XJ shaft up. Interesting side note: Jeep Comanche steering shafts look absolutely identical to the '87 XJ shaft I pulled out today. Didn't happen to get any pictures, but they're the same length, and have the same input shaft end styles - a chamfered/oval square, and a splined input. Not sure if that'll help anyone, but the junkyard I went to had 5-6 Comanches and only 1 XJ.

Anyway, on the Blazer, what's the correct method to pull the steering shaft out? Wound up dropping the steering box out of the Jeep to get the shaft out, and I'm hoping it's not necessary to do that to the Blazer. Also, what's the correct method to "free up" the two seperate shafts on the XJ shaft without fubar'ing the u-joints? The plastic clip is gone, but the shafts seem stuck together pretty good...not sure if it's just gunk buildup, or if there's something else that needs to be taken off before I can collapse/expand it to fit the Blazer.

First real junkyard excursion, and I wound up picking up a bunch of stuff I didn't plan on, and I'm going back next week to get even more parts :haha:
 
that could be because the comanche is the same as a cherokee, just a pickup. kinda like a blazer is the same as a k10.
 
quick hi-jack...
what is the applications of the XJ shaft on our blazers? I have an 81 K5 and from what I have read in the tech articles is that I may need to get a 2 wheel drive gear box and possibly a different steering column? If so, what years do I need to pick my replacement parts from?

Thanks!

BTW: on freeing up the XJ shaft, people have suggested heating the middle part with a torch and pushing/pulling the shaft in/out. Hope that helps a bit.
 
Don't have a torch, but I might be able to find something that'll work on the garage. Hmm...nothing like wrenching on greasy parts in 105* weather! Maybe I'll just let the shaft sit out in the sun for a bit.
 
It is very simple to get the rag joint steering shaft out of your blazer. Just unbolt the top and bottom and I also inbolted the rag joint so I could just move it to the side. You might have to pry off the splined section at the steering box but it should come off fairly easy. You will also most likely have to open up the ends so they fit. Just take a flathead chisel or large screwdriver and spread it open a bit more. It is easy to do, I just did it last week so if you have any questions just PM me or ask.
 
Wish I'd have known this last year. I used to build XJ's and had about 8 of them in the yard at one point.
 
Well, I got the Blazer's shaft out just fine, but STILL can't get the XJ shaft to collapse to the correct length. Hit it with a torch, and it looked like solder started to leak out of the joint, but it's still frozen solid. Times like this make me wish I had a press.

After looking at the rag joint setup, I'm still trying to figure out what sort of engineer thought that was a good thing. Let's reduce steering feedback by making it sloppy as hell...
 
Well, the shaft is frozen so solid I can jack the truck up with it (don't ask). Ugh.
 
I've already sprayed about half a can of Liquid Wrench on it...just doesn't seem to be penetrating. I'm going to try hitting it with the torch again tomorrow and see if maybe there's some plastic still left in there.
 
I did 2 of these a couple of weeks ago. The XJ shafts I got had plastic clips inside to make them fit tightly togther. I clamped one end in a vise and used a 5/8 inch wrench to fit over the inside shaft and be snug against the outside shaft. Then hammered on the wrench to drive the outer off. I couldn't get the plastic clips to go back on after seperating the 2 pieces so they got left out. I just buffed any rust off the inner shaft and greased it up and put it back together. Hope this helps.
George
 
Element said:
Well, the shaft is frozen so solid I can jack the truck up with it (don't ask). Ugh.
Click to expand...

That is probably not good, try hitting it up again with the torch and if that doesnt work go back to the junk yard and tell them whats up and complain and they should let you get a different one.
 
Well after about a week of having done this mod I have to say it is a HUGE improvement in the steering (or at least in my case!). My steering wheel itself is just so much tighter and it is more responsive. Great upgrade for everyone!
 
Yep, same here. After a bunch more heating and beating, I finally got the shaft to collapse so I could install it over the weekend.

With the stock shaft, I could be driving and move the wheel probably 3-4" up and down before the wheels would start turning. With the XJ shaft, it's instant. Feels much safer doing 55mph now :haha:
 
I haven't really read up on this much, but can a guy bolt one of those XJ shafts up to a stock steering column / steering box from an 85 Chevy 4x4?

Sounds like a worthy upgrade!
 
I had a heck of a time getting my XJ shaft to slide down too. Anyone see a problem in getting the shaft cleaned up enough so that you can slip the steering shaft easily so it makes for quick and easy removals/installs.
 
Nope in fact I would thoroughly clean it and then just grease both ends and the middle where it will slide.
 
Same as the stock shaft. You have to grind some off the stock part to get a bolt through but that is easy.
 
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