Install a U-joint between rag joint coupler and steering shaft?

[gmanpaint]

Need some input here guys. I'm not sure if anyone has done this or not, but chances are someone has come up with a similar idea / solution already.

The 3" body lift changes the angle of the steering shaft, and my extension has worn out. I was shopping for a new one when the thought occured to me that it will just happen again. Since I do not want to remove the entire column, and drill new holes and drop the entire column down, I thought of this instead....

A U-joint made for race cars in place of the extension. The Double-D style shafts are a popular style, and easily found for the u-joints. My hangup is will it be too long to fit? I realize there is some in/out play on the intermediate shaft, but is there enough for this to work?

The one thing I have learned over the years, is there is always something I haven't thought of when doing a mod, and it ends up costing me if I dont at least ask.

I found this product that can be customized with the styles I need for the shafts.
Borgeson 016464 - Borgeson Steering U-Joints

Found here: http://www.jegs.com/i/Borgeson/153/016464/10002/-1

Please discuss and submit your input on this, thank you!

 

[Anime]

Sure, you can just replace the rag joint with a u-joint, so adding a u-joint as an extension should be fine as well.
Personally I'd rather only have one or the other, I'd think a steering shaft with a rag joint AND a u-joint or two would be excessively sloppy. I'd rather have one rag joint or one/two u-joints.

It may be easier/cheaper in the long run to just make your own custom length steering shaft with two u-joints:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2916830


You could also scrounge around for other RBVs with the double u-joint stock steering shafts:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2878148


I realize you posted in those other threads, maybe you just forgot about those options?

 

[gmanpaint]

Yeah, CRS has kicked in. LOL!

I don't want to replace the rag joint as it is a dampner, I just want to replace the steering shaft extension used for the body lift.

I do remember the flaming river shaft but it is $300!

The 91 ranger double ended u-joint shaft seemed to be non existent as well.

 

[jd4242]

Yeah, CRS has kicked in. LOL!

I don't want to replace the rag joint as it is a dampner, I just want to replace the steering shaft extension used for the body lift.

I do remember the flaming river shaft but it is $300!

The 91 ranger double ended u-joint shaft seemed to be non existent as well.

90 explorers came with double also.

$300 made me cry also but its night and day difference! !!

O and it sure is purrdy

 

[Maniak]

$300 made me cry also but its night and day difference! !!

You used Flaming river parts, right?

~Mark

 

[jd4242]

You used Flaming river parts, right?

~Mark

Yea..I didn't see the other guys.I'm really happy with it tho

 

[gmanpaint]

So Jegs responded and told me that u joint is 3.25" long. I'm going to pull the extension off and measure to see if it will fit. Im only guessing but the I.D. Looks to be about 3/4" deep on both ends? If so I only need 1.5" or so for it to fit, and the extension used about 1" total overall added length.

Will post back later with my findings.

 

[gmanpaint]

Okay, looks like plenty of room after the extension is removed for a U-joint.

Now the oversight I made:

For some reason I was thinking the U-joint would be a double D female end. Not the case. (Doh!)

It needs both a male end with the Double-D shaft, and the female Double D input.

Now to get a hold of Jegs again, and find out if they carry such a U-joint or not.

 

[jd4242]

Okay, looks like plenty of room after the extension is removed for a U-joint.

Now the oversight I made:

For some reason I was thinking the U-joint would be a double D female end. Not the case. (Doh!)

It needs both a male end with the Double-D shaft, and the female Double D input.

Now to get a hold of Jegs again, and find out if they carry such a U-joint or not.

http://www.flamingriver.com/index.php/products/c0005

 

[jd4242]

Are you trying to remove the upper rag joint and replace it with a ujoint? Or just trying to put a ujoint in where you took the extension out?

 

[gmanpaint]

Trying to just replace the extension with a u-joint. Retaining the rag joint so I don't have to replace the shaft.

 

[jd4242]

Trying to just replace the extension with a u-joint. Retaining the rag joint so I don't have to replace the shaft.

You could cut the shaft where it meets the rag joint.I personally haven't tried but I do have a bad shaft here I could cut for you and see..then you could replace the whole thing depending on size, a double joint might be needed.because they don't make a male and female ujoint that I've seen.

 

[jd4242]

Another option is to pm the people who has made new shafts and see if they have extra.I know it comes with enough shaft to make 2.I used mine extra for another project

 

[gmanpaint]

Hmm. I do know Scottb, but will have to ask him if he needs it or not. Good idea.

As far as cutting the old one. With the body lift, I don't know if there is enough slip in the shaft to go that far up, after removing the rag joint or not.

Thanks for all the help BTW!

 

[jd4242]

Hmm. I do know Scottb, but will have to ask him if he needs it or not. Good idea.

As far as cutting the old one. With the body lift, I don't know if there is enough slip in the shaft to go that far up, after removing the rag joint or not.

Thanks for all the help BTW!

Yea that why I said you may have to use a double joint but they run near $200.for that price you can almost build a whole shaft

http://www.flamingriver.com/index.php/products/c0005/s0002/FR1794PL

 

[jd4242]

Here is the other thread using the other company. It came to $225 and if I remember my flaming came to $289ish but the others guys shaft is about half the price.


http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=388784