[97cargocrawler]

GM part No: 26080253 SHAFT. STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE

This product fits 203 vehicle variants.
Chevrolet: 7 models, 84 variants between 1996 and 2002.
GMC: 7 models, 119 variants between 1996 and 2002.

It's #65 in the photo. It's one piece, no upper or lower crap. The halves don't separate unless you drill out the stopper.

Yeah you can weld one up...and how often will you think about it failing?

 

[Lumpy]

GM part No: 26080253 SHAFT. STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE

This product fits 203 vehicle variants.
Chevrolet: 7 models, 84 variants between 1996 and 2002.
GMC: 7 models, 119 variants between 1996 and 2002.



It's #65 in the photo. It's one piece, no upper or lower crap. The halves don't separate unless you drill out the stopper.

Yeah you can weld one up...and how often will you think about it failing?

OK OK. That's the part number of the $200-$300 parts I find on eBay.

The weldup looks pretty safe. Sq tubing slips OVER the cut D shaft. It's even snug without the weld. I'll worry about that about as much as I'll worry about AstroWill's dog's dental hygene.

If I found one for cheap, as you did, I'd likely snatch it up. But I've got the materials now to do the weld mod.

Lump

 

[97cargocrawler]

Weld it up. Just keep the heat in check. We don't know what the properties of the metal are. Clearly it's not low carbon steel because of the odd grayish/silver color. It could make the shaft brittle etc. That's why I didn't bother even though it looked easy.

Have at it. What's the worse that could happen? You snap the rod and run over a few cactus.

 

[Lumpy]

What's the worse that could happen? You snap the rod and run over a few cactus.

Could have a horrible crash into one of the hundreds of Scottsdale breast augmentation clinics.

Oh the horror!

Lump

 

[AstroWill]

I can't imagine there being a ton of force at work there. On the other side of the steering box I could see a lot of force. I think welding one up would be fine, but for me I would just use a stock piece if available.

 

[dryhumor]

I just happened to see this post. The pic of the steering wheel looks like mine. I used the Express shaft also.

 

[dryhumor]

I used a tie rod sleeve from an older Dodge on the Passenger side. It was long enough to adjust the steering wheel back to the center.

 

[andreinert]

Hey there cargocrawler,
I realize this is an old thread but, I'm curious how this all worked out. I'm just starting to do the long awaited 3+1 lift on my '01 AWD and I'm having a hard time finding the longer shaft from the Gen 2/3 RWD Astro at junkyards near me and after a cursory reading of this thread even the longer Gen 2/3 shafts might be iffy. In the years since this thread was started, have you or anyone else come up with a good work around for this needed change? I just started a new thread about this and after posting I saw this thread pop up in related items.
Thanks!

 

[97cargocrawler]

It never fell apart so I guess it was a success? Installed it and never had an issue.

 

[Mmusicman]

It never fell apart so I guess it was a success? Installed it and never had an issue.

I say GREAT job thinking way outside the BOX!
As well as the fortitude to spend time to make it work!

Sidenote: Your suggestion on a longer driveshaft (for my 92) was MOST beneficial to me a few years back.
Funny how you can make things shorter, but making them "longer" seems to be the real trick!

 

[97cargocrawler]

If you vanscape the firewall it will appear longer.

 

[JoezGMC]

I went with this shaft because I upgraded from 2" pucks to 3" pucks.

I would imagine the shafts for 1500, 2500 and 3500 are all the same. I can't think of any reasons for them not to be considering the difference between those models is mostly suspension and engine size. Seems the steering would stay the same.

The shaft diameters are the same. You would only need to remove the limiter pin to swap sections. The end couplings however are staked really good, so you can't easily remove or re-clock those.

I went this route because it seems safer than cutting and welding in a new section. I don't trust my welding skills that much.

The 90 phase difference is a no biggie. I turned the steering rod couplers like four twists and problem solved. That was the easiest part.

I'm not too sure of the differences between generations, all I know is that my shaft was good enough for 2" blocks but definitely not for 3". Now I have like 5" of overlap so I feel pretty darn good about it. Overall it was a very cheap and easy safety upgrade.

Hi, I am planning on hitting the "Boneyard" today! I have been advised my steering shaft
is only 1/2" inserted, The Van had a lift installed many years ago. I am planning on getting
the Express shaft assy. I am wondering if you turned the Tire rod ends? and I know you said 4
turns? is that 4 Full turns (360 degrees) or otherwise? as I am probably going to have to give
some instructions to the Motorworks guys. I am just looking for some clarification. Thanks!

 

[AstroWill]

Someone gave it just the tip.