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Couldn't agree more! That's the first thing I check when I'm going out...
After the "episode" you had I do not blame you one bit!
With the popularity of the 73-79 trucks I can't believe no one is reproducing an oem style steering shaft. The u-joint on that thing was beefy enough to spin 44 inch Super Swampers in 4 feet of mud, without breaking! lol
I knew I had a picture or two of (what I think) is the original deal.....that Boogyson copied - My '79 Bronco steering shaft.
Where's da Beef? I'll tell ya where!
The old steering shaft with new U Joint, top
Bottom: '79 Bronco steering shaft. Note the similarities that Bogeson kyped - the rectangular deal and all
Still available as a kit as well, in the overall style, but I believe it's for a splined shaft: https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/s?keyword=spicer
Notice #2156 and #2157 are of the same style, but not sure how the factory one is installed.
Is it welded to the lower shaft?
If you already have that style, the u-joint is available stand-alone. Looks like that's what you did with yours? Did you get all the parts for the other joint as well?
We sell them as kits for the pre-'73 EB's that had a solid shaft with the old "tulip" joint like you have on the right side of your upper shaft. Hence the mention on our page of "slight clearancing of the inner fender" being made.
I knew I had a picture or two of (what I think) is the original deal.....that Boogyson copied - My '79 Bronco steering shaft.
Where's da Beef? I'll tell ya where!
The old steering shaft with new U Joint, top
Bottom: '79 Bronco steering shaft. Note the similarities that Bogeson kyped - the rectangular deal and all
Talk about beefy, those things are stout! My buddy has a 76 highboy and the u-joint on his oem steering shaft has a zerk fitting for grease, mine did not, maybe that contributed to its failure? why zerks on some and not others? his u-joint is still solid and slop free as day one.
I was just looking at my oem shaft, in particular the bottom "bell" shaped section that attaches to the gear box. There is surprisingly very little material there that actually engages the splined shaft from the gear box, it's not even a solid piece, it has a split in the material that runs its entire length and an oblong cutout right in the center where there is no material at all. Quite the opposite of the other end of the steering shaft that attaches to the steering wheel, that connection is overkill. I just thought the differences in design were quite striking.
I'll try and get some pictures of the coupler in the "expanded apart" mode..... Unless you have some you'd like to throw in here. I know 1 Ton had some questions in a previous post about the structural breakdown of the coupler..."bell" or "tulip".
I had it all apart once but remembering it...well, it's been quite a few years now....your description brings back a few memories.
I have had an OEM steering shaft end cap "bell"apart and posted pics..somewhere. It has a T end with 2 slip on square caps over a pin that goes thru the shaft.. T is red...squares are blue...the squares slide in 2 big grooves pressed in the bell.
I remembered seeing it either here or on classic sometime in the last couple of weeks. Was going to hunt around for it so we could have an image of the shaft end with the "pins" sticking out.
It was actually a very reliable setup. Although I can imagine the pins being a shear issue if things went wrong. Guessing that the load is spread out more with the u-joint style, but also allows for more flexibility in mounting at angles.
I'll try and get some pictures of the coupler in the "expanded apart" mode..... Unless you have some you'd like to throw in here.
This is the attachment point of the "bell" I was referring to, I had to cut it off to remove my steering shaft. There's really not much to it, especially when compared to the upper end of the shaft. But it's held for over 40yrs so apparently it's stronger than it appears.
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