73-80 Squarebody XJ Steering Shaft Upgrade

[Gilderbeast]

Once switched heat the xj shaft, melt the toxic plastic, seperate them and take the bigger DD end with the correct D shape splined coupling for the steering gear box. Circled in red.

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[Gilderbeast]

Slide the bigger DD XJ shaft over the smaller DD Square Shaft. Tighten the steering gear box bolt and done.

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[bucket]

Yeah, I believe @bluex did this recently maybe? I thought it was covered in the sticky thread, but maybe not.

I'd be hesitant to call this method an XJ shaft swap, it's more of a budget ragjoint delete. The shaft won't swap as a whole, unlike the '79-up trucks where it's nearly a 100% bolt-on deal.

 

[Gilderbeast]

As long as it helps others I'm happy.

 

[bluex]

Yeah, I believe @bluex did this recently maybe? I thought it was covered in the sticky thread, but maybe not.

I'd be hesitant to call this method an XJ shaft swap, it's more of a budget ragjoint delete. The shaft won't swap as a whole, unlike the '79-up trucks where it's nearly a 100% bolt-on deal.

Ya I did but the thread didn't make sticky status.

I basically cut the top joint off the XJ shaft an put a universal in to match the column end.

Here's how I did mine.
https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/jeep-intermediate-shaft-on-a-early-79-and-down-column.20468/

 

[Termite_Delight]

Thanks for sharing, great idea.

 

[Craig 85]

If anyone needs to rebuild the top part of their GM steering shaft used in this conversion, here's the part numbers. Sometimes the metal buttons wear out, causing play in this portion of the shaft. I used this kit in my '85 prior to doing the full swap.

Steering shaft kit - 72-86 CJ Crown Automotive 8132676K (for Stock GM shaft)

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cwa-8132676k/

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[Gilderbeast]

Ya I did but the thread didn't make sticky status.

I basically cut the top joint off the XJ shaft an put a universal in to match the column end.

Here's how I did mine.
https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/jeep-intermediate-shaft-on-a-early-79-and-down-column.20468/

Yeah I actually read yours. Its works just as well. Not sure if the extra u joint makes it better or not. The stock shaft doesn't have a upper u joint so thats why I just slid the DD XJ or the stock DD. Fits great and no play. Slides in and out for body flex. No binding. Might be better for front collision. I don't know. Both work haha.

 

[bucket]

Yeah I actually read yours. Its works just as well. Not sure if the extra u joint makes it better or not. The stock shaft doesn't have a upper u joint so thats why I just slid the DD XJ or the stock DD. Fits great and no play. Slides in and out for body flex. No binding. Might be better for front collision. I don't know. Both work haha.

That's a good point about body flex. The Jeep is unibody and it's not an issue. But as long as the smelly mystery goo is melted out so the shaft can slide, it is fine with the u-joint at both ends. I know some people have just heated it up just enough so the shaft will slide for installation, that probably makes it bind as the frame and body flex.

 

[bluex]

I didnt melt all the plastic out. I did file it down so it fit snug an slid easily then greased it as well. No binding issues that I've seen or felt.

 

[Gilderbeast]

I didnt melt all the plastic out. I did file it down so it fit snug an slid easily then greased it as well. No binding issues that I've seen or felt.

How much did yours cost total?

 

[bluex]

How much did yours cost total?

About $50 I guess. I got the u-joint off eBay, it was around $34 an I think I gave $13 for the jeep shaft.

 

[norman baker]

1. Get a 88-96 XJ/Regular Cherokee shaft.

2. Unbolt rag joint from your stock steering shaft and remove the rag joint from the steering gear box.

3. Heat up your stock steering shaft where the two small holes are. Propane or Oxy Acetylene will work. This melts the plastic inside the shaft. Pull the lower shaft from the upper.

4. Take your 88-96 XJ shaft and heat it up at the two small holes until the plastic inside melts and seperate it like above.

5. Take off the dust caps on both universal joints of the XJ shaft. (I did this all in a bench vise)

6. Remove the end pieces of the 88-96 shaft and swap them around as you need the D shaped splined coupling.

7. Reinstall the dust caps.

8. You will most likely have to cut about 1" from the end of the 88-96 shaft for play/bodyflex. Cut if you have to. Test fit before cutting.

9. Slide 88-96 XJ shaft into the Squarebody upper steering shaft and then lower the D shaped spline coupling all the way onto the steering gear box and install bolt with locktight/threadlocker in the coupling.

This eliminated the steering slop in my truck for only $12. Below is the link for a video I have made to try to explain and visualize at the same time. Hope this helps.

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[norman baker]

i have used xj steering in yj jeeps when i could not find a yj automatic column, or when i converted them from automatic on the column to floor shift, aka 350 chevy 350 with lock up , and 205 full time transfer case , so many parts on jeeps and chevy interchange, steering boxes , alternators , power steering pumps. ac compressors rarely . PARTS IS PARTS.

 

[Gilderbeast]

i have used xj steering in yj jeeps when i could not find a yj automatic column, or when i converted them from automatic on the column to floor shift, aka 350 chevy 350 with lock up , and 205 full time transfer case , so many parts on jeeps and chevy interchange, steering boxes , alternators , power steering pumps. ac compressors rarely . PARTS IS PARTS.

What?? NP205 is part time by the way.