Replacing steering rag joint with u-joint

[American Thunder]

My rag joint is getting loose, partly because the truck has 108k miles on it, and also because the 3" body lift is putting extra angle on the rubber joint, which it wasn't designed to deal with. To avoid future issues with it, I'd prefer to convert the rag joint to a greasable u-joint. I've already welded in a HD greasable upper u-joint from an F800, so it would be nice if I could find something equally as tough for the lower joint. Any parts suggestions?

[OX1]

Originally Posted by American Thunder

My rag joint is getting loose, partly because the truck has 108k miles on it, and also because the 3" body lift is putting extra angle on the rubber joint, which it wasn't designed to deal with. To avoid future issues with it, I'd prefer to convert the rag joint to a greasable u-joint. I've already welded in a HD greasable upper u-joint from an F800, so it would be nice if I could find something equally as tough for the lower joint. Any parts suggestions?

78/79 F250/350 used grease encased CV type joints @ steering box.
Not greasable without removing, but sealed and many of the 30 year
old one's I've taken apart still have plenty of grease. Guess you would
have to find/buy entire shaft and make one out of 2.


Upper is a stock F250 shaft, lower stock 79 shaft.



Made one out of two for my 70 bronco




66-75 broncs used them also.

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/categor...teering_Shafts

BC broncos has a bunch of Borgeson U-joints, but none of them
are greasable.

http://www.bcbroncos.com/steeringcolumnsandshafts.html

[American Thunder]

This is my steering setup. The massive upper u-joint is probably stronger than a toyota driveshaft.. heh

I like that F250 piece. And yeah, as long as that bellows stays intact, the grease is going to stay put.. very nice.
The CV can run at a bit of an angle without hurting it, I assume? This is exactly the information I was looking for - THANKS!!

[7LBRONCO]

JBG used to offer a dbl u-joint shaft, that would fit 150-350 apps. I bought one 3-4 years ago, and it works great. Came with a 5yr/50K warranty. For some reason, they now offer 2 different shafts, one for 1/2 ton and the other for 3/4-1 tons.

[American Thunder]

I'd love to grab one of those new ones, those look great, but I'm in a financial bind atm, so I need cheap

[OX1]

Originally Posted by American Thunder

This is my steering setup. The massive upper u-joint is probably stronger than a toyota driveshaft.. heh

I like that F250 piece. And yeah, as long as that bellows stays intact, the grease is going to stay put.. very nice.
The CV can run at a bit of an angle without hurting it, I assume? This is exactly the information I was looking for - THANKS!!

NICE, that thing is huge. Yeah, can run that CVish thing at a decent angle. Hard to see here, but I'm running it up quite a bit in my early bronc, compared to steering box (which is a 78 box).



Also ran it on my mud bronc with 3" body lift for years with no problems.

You replace that lower steering col bearing yet?

[American Thunder]

I don't remember if I swapped out the bearing with a spare when I built the truck, but the column is tight, so I may have. The truck only has 106k on it now, so maybe it's original.

[bronco ox]

Borgeson makes a replacement steering shaft with a u-joint on each end. Put one in my 78 about 4 years ago and have never had an issue.

[OX1]

Originally Posted by American Thunder

I don't remember if I swapped out the bearing with a spare when I built the truck, but the column is tight, so I may have. The truck only has 106k on it now, so maybe it's original.

Reason I ask is that plastic casing of that bearing is usually trashed by now and almost guaranteed it is from the 3" bodylift at this point.

Really tightened up my col going with this bearing.

http://luxjo.supermotors.net/79%20PR...L/DCP05725.JPG
http://luxjo.supermotors.net/79%20PR...L/DCP05726.JPG
http://luxjo.supermotors.net/79%20PR...L/DCP05729.JPG
http://luxjo.supermotors.net/79%20PR...L/DCP05730.JPG

Not a perfect fit OD (compared to tube), had to tack it in, but works great when/if you need one.

[American Thunder]

Originally Posted by OX1

Reason I ask is that plastic casing of that bearing is usually trashed by now and almost guaranteed it is from the 3" bodylift at this point.

Really tightened up my col going with this bearing.

http://luxjo.supermotors.net/79%20PR...L/DCP05725.JPG
http://luxjo.supermotors.net/79%20PR...L/DCP05726.JPG
http://luxjo.supermotors.net/79%20PR...L/DCP05729.JPG
http://luxjo.supermotors.net/79%20PR...L/DCP05730.JPG

Not a perfect fit OD (compared to tube), had to tack it in, but works great when/if you need one.

That is definitely good to know, thanks!