What model S10 donor for steering gear box?

[Cecil14]

It felt like the effort to turn the wheel was far greater than it was with the stock box. Felt like driving a truck with manual steering.
My truck has 37's with crossover steering and I can turn the wheel lock to lock with one finger with the stock box.


JR

That's exactly why most people change it out. They're looking for more of a "sporty" feel. When you're cruising down the freeway at 80mph you don't want to be able to turn the wheel a complete revolution with one finger. Take a sports car for a spin...it's not "difficult" to turn the wheel, but you know when you're turning and you have to deliberately do it.

Now granted this is NOT going to be ideal for wheeling. This is definitely an on-road manners option. If you're turning big tires against hard terrain the S10 box is not going to be an advantage.


aa

[Headhoncho]

That's exactly why most people change it out. They're looking for more of a "sporty" feel. When you're cruising down the freeway at 80mph you don't want to be able to turn the wheel a complete revolution with one finger.aa

*In my best York Peppermint Pattie commercial voice*
When I'm in my Jeep doing 80 mph, I get the sensation of being in a '67 GT40 Mk IV twisting and turning around the LeMans circuit, passing Porsches and Ferrari's (and maybe a trash truck with a strong tailwind) and the cool breeze whooshing through my hair (or what's left of it) . Ahh Haaa



JR

[palexand]

It is for a 95 to 03 4WD S-10. Same PS box. Autozone part # is 7577
82 to 03 2WD and 82 -94 4WD are different. Autozone part # is 7575 (ZQ8 is 7576).

We should add this to the tech library. Thanks for the info;-).

[palexand]

Rag Joint, too?

I assume replacing the rag joint with the BJ's piece is a good idea as well...yes?

http://www.bjsoffroad.com/CartGenie/prod-467.htm

[shiner2001]

I assume replacing the rag joint with the BJ's piece is a good idea as well...yes?

http://www.bjsoffroad.com/CartGenie/prod-467.htm

I replaced a sloppy rag joint on my Cherokee and it made alot of difference. I think I picked it up at O'reilley's.

[palexand]

How to align new gearbox??

I've got the wheels centered, the old gearbox out, and ready to install my new donor s10 box...How do I align the gearbox correctly so with the pitman arm installed, my steering wheel is straight? I know 'about' where it should go. But, how do you guys get it right the first time?

[DukeJeep]

This is all great to know, I replaced the lines on mine, but its still leaking. Hopefully its not this, but if it is - great to know!

[Cecil14]

I've got the wheels centered, the old gearbox out, and ready to install my new donor s10 box...How do I align the gearbox correctly so with the pitman arm installed, my steering wheel is straight? I know 'about' where it should go. But, how do you guys get it right the first time?

The pitman arm should be keyed. There are 4 large splines at each quarter on the output shaft on the gear box. As long as it's real close you can adjust it the rest of the way with the draglink adjustment.


aa

[palexand]

Update on my s10 gearbox experience:

After getting the correct part # to mate up with the pitman arm on my '86 gw (see thread from me on that labor of #$% (errr, love), I got the new steering gearbox installed last week - no problem.

The truck drives like a dream on the road - 3/4 of a spin from the steering wheel for a 90* turn, and only a turn and a half for a u-ey. Impressive and tight. Road worthiness and confidence in the lane is vastly improved. With something this large, you expect to be steering a pack of wild animals to keep it straight - have to say, it took me two days to get the feel for it and stop pulling and fighting it. Now, I need to work on the front suspension - new ball joints, sway bay/end link bushings, steering stabilizer, shocks, and a 4-whl alignment to shore up the looseness. Not to mention, tightening the lower steering column that plagues us. That'll be a first for me. That's a terribly annoying feature.