Upgrade steering parts

Bryan Wochna said:

Thanks for the info. I usually deal with one ton steering components on most of my trucks. This actually the first truck ive had that I wasnt sure if upgrading would be worth it

Click to expand...

Don’t worry about spending $200+ for all that, get a steering shaft from a XJ Jeep Cherokee. There’s a whole thread on here on how to do it, it doesn’t require much modification to do and for what modification there is to do it won’t hurt your truck

Supercharged111 said:

[1] There is no way in hell an airbag could ever do what a belt does. Think of side impacts, rollovers, etc.

[2] The gov't doesn't know their ass from a hole in the ground.

Click to expand...

Two things in this discussion we TOTALLY agree on. Thanks for that.

Lotsa good examples of why you don't believe everything you read in a forum.

Given the option of having an airbag or mandating 5-point harnesses and Hans devices in every car, I'll go with airbags... and yes, I do own a Hans device. Very confidence inspiring in a race car, big PITA in a daily driver.

On the original post: I highly recommend the Jeep XJ steering shaft. Very easy upgrade if you have a grinder handy. Even if you don't, a $15 cheapo depot grinder makes it worthwhile.

If you truly want to make people drive more safely, just put a 4 inch sharpened spike in the center of the steering wheel. I guarantee people would stop texting while driving and pay attention.

No, they won't. If they drive a while and the spike isn't an issue, they'll get just as complacent as without it.

Schurkey said:

I have a '97 K2500. I guess I need to look for a Treasure Yard Tonner to swipe the wheel from. I don't understand how Government can force us to have explosive devices in the passenger compartment.


Agreed. I saw that, too. And Stratton says it fit his '94.

Click to expand...

Schurkey said:

Unless he's replaced the video, the guy is installing a Dorman C3500 shaft, not a Jeep shaft. Dorman # 425-177.

The only application Dorman shows is '88--'02 C3500. No K-series, no 1500s or 2500s.

IF (big IF) it actually works in the 1500 and 2500s, C and K, it'd be a real bonus. Too bad it's Chinese.

There is a difference in the later (95-up?) steering columns, having an extra joint in them, which may or may not be due to airbags. Perhaps the 3500s didn't get airbags, so they used the older-style column? I don't know.

Click to expand...

Gm part number 2601779 same as the Dorman 425-177 and I dont think the GM part is chinese made View media item 32281

Schurkey said:

I have a '97 K2500. I guess I need to look for a Treasure Yard Tonner to swipe the wheel from. I don't understand how Government can force us to have explosive devices in the passenger compartment.


Agreed. I saw that, too. And Stratton says it fit his '94.

Click to expand...

View media item 32281
this is a pic of GM part # 26015779 same as the Dorman and this is in my 94 k1500

Just called my favorite AC-Delco rep; first he told me that 26015779 has "Zero" stock showing nation-wide. Then he said that "the web site" is not officially listing it as "Discontinued". Perhaps this is an issue of Virus Originating in the Wuhan Lab, released (intentionally or negligently) into the world in 2019 (VOWL-19) affecting the supply chain.

He did some searching, says he'll have one for me this coming Friday. I don't know where he found one. I have no confirmation that it's NOT Communist Chinese. All in, it's gonna be around $200.

I will believe this when I get the call that the local store actually has one for me in their possession. If this thing actually shows up, I'll provide photos.

Man, I hope this thing fits. I hate the idea of buying a new steering shaft that isn't listed for my vehicle.

I believe that's the 3500HD shaft.