Switching shafts?

[DieselBuzz]

Has anyone switched a 2nd gen steering shaft in for our dogs and clips????

 

[JLEONARD]

It won't fit.

The 2nd gen gear box connection shape is different. The basic spline is the same I believe (basically a 3/4-36) , but it has a "flat" ground in. . therefore the yoke spline is correspondingly flatted. This is for added safety in case the splines were to strip out... or the clamping bolt loosened up... . It could drive on the flat.



But... . if you were really energetic you could remove the steering box input shaft and grind a flat on it to fit the mating yoke.

Jay

 

[1stgen4evr]

Steering shaft

Why remove it? Wrap something on the seal so as to protect it from hot chips. Grind slowly and cool as you go and do the flat. There may be a need to get the flat in just the right place so that the steering wheel will be in the right position.



There may be a safety issue with this. Are you comfortable with doing the change and whatever welds may be need?



If you do it, let us know how it turns out. The borgson shaft is quality but I have not sprung for the price on all my trucks.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[sparks57]

Dude, just get a borgesson, I got one and it's the best thing I ever did.

 

[JLEONARD]

James is correct in that you will need to get the flat in the correct orientation... not only for steering wheel angle but it must match the mating yoke precisely... ... That may make a "grind in place" job very difficult.

In my opinion... ... . and I am an application/product engineer for the company that makes the 2nd gen steering shafts... ... ... the Borgeson shaft is a better replacement for our first gen trucks compared to "cobbling up" a 2nd gen shaft to fit. Especially in a heavily used (and abused) 4x4 application.

Jay

 

[1stgen4evr]

Grinding a flat in place

Double right on all accounts J. I sometimes forget that I have done so much of this that it is second nature to me and may not be so for the average owner. Also have a basic machine shop tool set to back me up. Till someone gets into the market with a less expensive joint, go with the Borgeson. As I have commented previously, 200 dollars is strong for a twenty dollar joint. But they are unquestionable quality. And profit isn't a four letter word.



If you have the tools and the know how, carry on as if you knew what you were doing. Because of safety issues here, I won't comment on how I would do the fix.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[DieselBuzz]

Well... I was hoping for the simple swap in. Considering all that's involved I'll have to say that this one is beyond me. There is nothing like the high off a good cheap fix that lasts. Must be the Scottish in me. I guess I will eventually do the Borgeson.

Thanks to everyone for your help. It is great to explore an idea without having to suffer the mistake of trying and failing, especially this one.