K1500 Steering Box Upgrade

[TiVoPrince]

FWIW
the physical external dimensions and the mounting bolt pattern of every single Saginaw steering gear i have experienced are exactly the same. As a design plan not having a mix of tools needed to mount and install steering gears on assembly lines throughout the world is desireable. This is not unexpected as GM only needed to track the difference through production and the warranty period when the rebuilders took over. All differences are internal having something to do with the angles number of teeth and other factors that I was unable to capture in proper notes. Ever notice, when the experts on any subject talk they provide enormous information but like so many professors lectures information comes so fast that you cannot hope to keep up.best to shut up and get whatever good you can in those precious moments.

A cursory look across the 88-98 range of trucks is part of the confusion. GM had a range of changes but one physical dimension of steering boxes from Saginaw. This makes locating that magic bean of a true sport box a lesson in practical detective work. Parts stores want to stock the fewest parts to cover the largest spread of makes/models possible. This would explain the Advance Auto method of stocking only a basic steering gear, if it fits their responsibility is satisfied. Exploring the local dismantler I will probably be on the lookout for new 1990-96 victims that might hold a true 2.5 box. Figuring the percentage that may have received an Advance or NAPA part over the years means that I will expect disappointment but celebrate finding "the one" when it eventually happens.having a rebuildable core on hand will help me sleep soundly.

That JGC shaft shares the interfaces because it is also a Saginaw product. They engineered the steering box to shaft once and just reused that design. The steering column end was largely whatever met the design of GM or Chrysler. You may be right about the year involved, two plus years later the memories of that JGC are plenty fuzzy. I think it was beige. I better recall the incredible oil leak that may have ended its life completely bathing the engine compartment with 10W40 sludge. Simply said it could have been whatever year was able to provide the required part.

I remain forever thankful that there is still a "real" auto parts store one town over. They rebuild heads and other proper work right there in house. Its a lot like stepping back 1970something for me. My auto parts purchases are spread like peanut butter across them, the big box stores and the vehicle repair show sponsors. The right price point, availability and quality all factor in. They are nice guys who know that they simply cannot compete on price alone. I usually give them a 20% head start for no other reason that they provide enormous amounts of free advice that is worth far more than that...

[Schurkey]

Originally Posted by TiVoPrince

FWIW
the physical external dimensions and the mounting bolt pattern of every single Saginaw steering gear i have experienced are exactly the same.

The common-as-dirt automotive recirculating ball steering gear is either the Model 700, or the model 800--depending on what Internet source I look at. That's what the JGC box is--at least for the model years that interchange with my El Camino.

There's smaller ones--Model 605 and 600. I don't know much about them except for this:
http://www.jegs.com/p/Borgeson/Borge...55265/10002/-1

Borgeson offers three generations of GM power steering boxes. The Saginaw 605 with a 16:1 ratio is used for vehicles where space is a concern, as it was the smallest from GM. The Saginaw 700 was used by GM from the mid 1960's to early 2000; it has three fixed ratios and one variable option. The Saginaw 600 represents the latest in GM's power steering gearbox technology with modern steering feel and feedback; it's available in three different ratios.

The one in my '88 K1500 is larger than the 700 by far. I assume it's an 800, but I found another source saying that the 800 is the common automotive unit.
http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a...-turn-turn.htm

the Saginaw 800. This box was used in various incarnations under a variety of full-size and intermediate GM vehicles, from A- and G-Body Chevelles and Monte Carlos to Second- and Third-Generation F-Bodies and even some trucks.

Found a photo comparison between 700 (Middle) and 800 (Lower) on a four-wheeling site.
http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/tr.../photo-06.html


The box at the bottom looks like mine--the mounting bolts aren't in the same place as the middle box, and the bolts are just plain bigger. But I haven't looked at mine in awhile, and for all I know the big box in the photo is from a tonner.

[TiVoPrince]

Pushing
ALL my chips (including the rent money) to the steering box in the centre. Photos of the actual 2.5 gear prior to installation. .

My mind wraps better around the interface side for envisioning the mounting. You can never have too many reference photos. Can't say that I will ever fill that 32GB SDcard in my phone, but I'm gonna keep trying.

Currently have the gear from the bottom? i can see no chance of installing it without major surgical changes, if I am correctly identifying the mounting points having two "ears" for bolts at the top unlike the one that I have that is in sort of an inverted Y pattern with only one upper bolt. This might mean creating a swiss cheese frame that might not be safe enough to pass a roadworthyness inspection.

If the 2WD vs 4WD break over is pictured there by the 700 or 800 box there might be no clear path to success using the C1500 sport steering box. Parts stores list the same box for C1500 and K1500, so the 'tonner' theory may be right on the mark. That beast certainly looks like it belongs under an actual dump truck...