XJ Steering Shaft Upgrade (88-94 Trucks) 95+instructions on page 31

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shelbyt.67

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Hey all, Read about this in one of ChrisAU's threads. Thought I'd detail it out.
This is a super easy swap to eliminate a butt load of steering slop. Minus my learning curve the basic swap took about 20 min.
The shafts that fit are 84-00 Jeep Cherokee XJ steering shafts. They are almost a direct fit for OBS trucks up to 96. For 97+ there's a link at the bottom.
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Start by removing the Rag joint at the bottom of the stock Shaft. Remove the bolt and pry off with a crowbar. The shaft will compress at the top.
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Now remove the bolt at the top blob joint. pry or tap gently. DO NOT pound this joint. There are plastic pieces inside your steering column that will break.
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Ok, now u will need to grind a SMALL groove at the top of the flat spot on the steering column joint. This is for the top bolt of the XJ shaft.
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The XJ shaft will need to be separated. There is a plastic thangy inside that needs to be broken. Easiest way is to heat it with a torch and knock em apart.
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Gods gift to GearHeads;
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Ok,now cleanup and grease the lower end of the shaft and reinsert it into the upper.
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Now grease the spline at the steering gear and slide the lower shaft on. The lower bolt will fit perfectly into the stock spline bolt groove.
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Do the same for the upper, aligning the bolt with the groove u cut earlier.
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Now u got a no slop steering shaft.
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Enjoy!



UPDATE: For 97+ Try this. Post # 50 and 56,57
http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/...w-i-got-rid-my-steering-slop-cheap-obs-3.html
and this.
http://www.flamingriver.com/index.php/products/c0005
Also see post #140 for FULL SIZE chevy van shafts used on 96-98 trucks.
http://www.gmt400.com/forum/showthr...(88-96-Trucks)&p=464928&viewfull=1#post464928

UPDATE: Apparently Grand Cherokee and Limited shafts are working.There seems to be shafts that look different so check to see if the splines match the steering box and the u-joint at top matches the chevy steering shaft. Body lift at least to 3" should not be a problem.
Astro van shafts have also been used.
On 95+ trucks check to see if there is a third joint behind the firewall. Some trucks apparently have different stock shafts.
 
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oohunter04oo

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awsome right up! im assuming there would be enough slack in the shaft if you have a body lift installed?
 

am92

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I think a couple guys ordered some xj shafts on accident and then found out it wouldn't work but I never heard if they figured out a way or not...
 

shelbyt.67

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Just reread all the original posts on this. Sewlow58 did it to his 97. The 98's have a third joint contraption after the firewall and the blob joint inside the firewall. Making this mod much more difficult, but not impossible. Just takes more "persuasion". ;)
 

CUSTOM06

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What year OBS did you do it to? I thought it wouldn't work on my 97 model.
 
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