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I recently bought a gearbox off a guy that says it'll fit any 86 to 94 pickup. While this is true, because it mounted up fine, I attempted to install but noticed it was at least 1 inch shorter than mine. It purely just won't work. It mounted up fine but I cannot get it connected. I'm screwed here and I'm gonna end up buying a reman one because shipping it back to the guy will cost me a small fortune. My question is: although there were many different stock numbers and kinds, which one is gonna work for my 89 pickup? This one that is shorter was for what truck?
There are early and late model IFS type power steering boxes, looks like you have one of each.
There should be a slip joint in the steering column shaft between the box and the firewall that should expand to give enough extra length to make the shorter box work.
Can you give an image of your column??
I'd double-check what length of the shaft is left remaining in the slip-joint after expanding to insure safety.
I can tommorow. My buddy/ mechanic said it wasn't possible though. Even when looking at the supply lines id have to modify them. They were about an inch off too. We thought about extending the shaft but that would create problems in the future if this one started leaking and I needed a replacement. Even then the two fluid lines were way off
Thanks for the feedback
I was not aware of the two different steering boxes. I would try and swap the nose pieces from each other. Most everything else looks the same in height. At this point you have nothing to lose. It is worth a gamble to me.
Nose piece I am talking about is where the hoses connect.
The shaft has a slip joint but it's made out of metal and doesn't expand at all. Looks like it's there to absorb an impact from a wreck. My buddy tried to take his apart, he recommended. It to because its a pain to get it operable again.
Even if i was able to switch out the top piece the lines still wouldn't line up. This is something everyone else should consider when swapping one out. I'd pull your old one first to compare sizes. The guy I bought mine from swore up and down it'd work too, I learned my lesson
Both my '87 and '88 4Runners have the short box, and they also have a simple slip-joint column shaft that would permit easy change of length to accomodate the newer, longer box.
Both my '92 and '95 Runners have the long box and the rigid accordion type column shaft.
Looks like the accordion type shaft is only made to absorb shock and compress in case of collision.
Seems that the early trucks can be easily made to use the later steering box, but the later trucks can only easily accept their original long box.
I don't see any major difficulty in changing the minor spacing differences in the hydraulic hoses. I don't think any new parts would be necessary.
I was not aware of the two different steering boxes. I would try and swap the nose pieces from each other. Most everything else looks the same in height. At this point you have nothing to lose. It is worth a gamble to me.
Nose piece I am talking about is where the hoses connect.
Does'nt look to me as if the different shapes and bolt spacing would permit it.
The hoses would probably be the easier part, but that would leave the problem of having the shaft not reach the box. I could extend it but I'll have problems later if this box leaks and I need to find a replacement.
Old one It's smaller and the seal is totally different
Ok sir I forked out the cash for a reman gearbox. The size seems to be just right, but the front looks a bit different. Will this still work?
10-30-2016, 07:33 PM
