Steering Gearbox Differences

[Kilian]

Hello, what are the differences between a 2WD and 4WD power steering gearbox for early 80s CK trucks, if any? The 1979-84 PC lists different part numbers, so I'm assuming something is different between the two gearboxes. Thanks for the help.

 

[legopnuematic]

The main difference is the clocking of the sector shaft keyed spline for the pitman arms between 2 and 4wd boxes.

If you are going to crossover steering you will need a 2wd box as the pitman arm runs east west, not north south like a factory 4wd setup.

Year to year at some point the fittings changed from inverted flare to o ring fittings and from a 36 to 30 spline input shaft.

 

[V30crewcab]

1980 and newer are oring boxes. sometime around 78-79 I think they made the input splines smaller.

 

[75gmck25]

You also have to pay attention to the steering shaft connection if you have an early 70’s truck. For example, my ‘75 has a different shaft connection than later boxes, so you can’t do the jeep steering shaft conversion and get rid of the rag joint. I’m not sure what year they started using the newer steering connection.

 

[bucket]

1980 and newer are oring boxes. sometime around 78-79 I think they made the input splines smaller.

You also have to pay attention to the steering shaft connection if you have an early 70’s truck. For example, my ‘75 has a different shaft connection than later boxes, so you can’t do the jeep steering shaft conversion and get rid of the rag joint. I’m not sure what year they started using the newer steering connection.

If I can get some time out of the house later, I'll go refresh my memory. But I believe the smaller steering box input had come in by '77. Then the column connection changed in '78 or '79.

 

[Blazerbiker]

The difference between 2wd and 4wd is the output/sector shaft. 4wd is splined part way around and uses a crossbolt to clamp the pitman arm to the shaft. The 2wd is splined all the way around (with a taper fit for the pitman arm) like just about every other sector shaft in the world and has a threaded stud at the end of the shaft to retain the pitman arm.

The 4wd connection isn't terrible but this is one of the rare places that the 2wd version is actually stronger and more durable.

The big key is usually that the 2wd version allows you to install a pitman arm that points straight back for a crossover steering conversion on a 4wd truck. There are a LOT of 2wd boxes on 4wd trucks because of this.

 

[xm20k]

I put a new Borgeson quick ratio box on mine last spring input is 3/4 30 the aftermarket shafts work out the box on this (I'm running one)

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67-91 2wd

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The fittings on the box were O-ring style but the box comes with a set of adaptors for inverted flare, but I used adaptors to run -6 AN line.

CPP make fittings to run inverted flare hoses, if someone needs just the fittings I'll post them here.

O-ring to inverted flare hoses

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O-ring to -6 AN

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As others have said the pitman arm will be different between 2wd and 4wd.

Not sure when the input spline count changed, I keep finding conflicting info on that.

 

[Ricko1966]

Lookee here I accidently ran across s rebuild and adjustment how to.

https://www.midweststeering.com/wp-content/uploads/Sag800-Service.pdf

 

[Camar068]

Lookee here O accidently ran across s rebuild and adjustment how to.

https://www.midweststeering.com/wp-content/uploads/Sag800-Service.pdf

Thanks, saved