Steering Shaft upgrade XJ or Astro Van?

[GmtGmt]

Im Rebuilding the front end on my C30 Im looking to replace the worn out rag joint and rubber isolater on the top as it worn out

I was looking into buying a XJ steering shaft but i came across this post thats seem that Astro Van shaft are about the same length and couplers too?

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...astro-van.html

Anyone know if an Astro shaft will work, they are commen in my part of the world weres the XJ is not, Shipping over seas are expensive so if i can get one local to me it I would save alot

[rodstored-72]

GMTgmt, I did the XJ shaft conversion on my '86 (it is shown in my build thread on here) I am happy with the result, there is a thread on how to do the conversion on here and I THINK it discusses the astro shafts in there as well.. overall I think the swap is worth it.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by GmtGmt

Im Rebuilding the front end on my C30 Im looking to replace the worn out rag joint and rubber isolater on the top as it worn out

I was looking into buying a XJ steering shaft but i came across this post thats seem that Astro Van shaft are about the same length and couplers too?

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...astro-van.html

Anyone know if an Astro shaft will work, they are commen in my part of the world weres the XJ is not, Shipping over seas are expensive so if i can get one local to me it I would save alot

From what I understand in the g-body/Malibu world the Astro shafts require re-clocking one end to have the necessary alignment (the g-body & C10 stuff is similar).
The re-clocking requires cutting & re-welding of one end which is not required for the XJ swap.

[GmtGmt]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

From what I understand in the g-body/Malibu world the Astro shafts require re-clocking one end to have the necessary alignment (the g-body & C10 stuff is similar).
The re-clocking requires cutting & re-welding of one end which is not required for the XJ swap.

Thanks, I got a shaft from a astro on the way, just and sleve it is not a problem so i will se if it can be made to work

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by GmtGmt

Thanks, I got a shaft from a astro on the way, just and sleve it is not a problem so i will se if it can be made to work

If you can, come back and let us know how it goes. It would be interesting to find out if that's an easily workable option.

[Axle]

I used a jeep shaft. One tip I would give is make sure you heat the plastic that locks in the slip shaft enough that the shaft freely moves in and out. Theres enough flex between the cab and steering box to cause popping if you leave it as a tight fit to adjust the length (even with liberal lube on it). In the end, I ended up knocking all the plastic out (there isn't much of a second chance). Definately an improvement over the rag joint, and even with no plastic to take up the "slop" in the slip shaft it is still miles ahead of a rag joint.