For those who know and frequent any S-10 forums they will learn that the steering shaft of a Jeep fits the S-10's. The Jeep however uses 2 universal joints on the shaft which means it has zero play. The S-10 shaft is a joke in comparison. The upper joint is a U joint but the lower is a sloppy rag joint which uses a rubber disk to act as a flexible joint. GM has used them for year on pretty much every vehicle that uses recirculating ball steering systems. If you are looking for an improvement in steering feel and elimination of any slop this is the way to go. You can buy more expensive shafts from companies like Flaming River. But they money spent is mostly on chrome. Granted the shafts are nice and well built, but a Jeep shaft costs fractions of that in the junkyard. I paid $30 for mine. If you do this swap you are looking for a late model Jeep Cherokee.
Here is a simple comparison. The S-10 shaft is the top one. Notice the rag joint on the left side. Also notice the ugly plastic cover GM uses to hide it. The lower is the Jeep shaft. the jeep shaft I got also has a boot protecting the collapsible shaft so water and dirt cant get between it. This is a picture of the upper joint attached to the steering column.
Here is the lower joint which is the main reason for this swap. The elimination of the rag joint is the best thing you can do for steering feedback. The joint I got was from a late model Jeep Cherokee around 1999 to 2002. On this one you will notice the clamp style upper joint. It is not the same as the S-10 upper joint but it is not a big deal. All you have to do is grind a small divot is the steering column shaft of the S-10's and then it is all a bolt on.
Here is the lower joint which is the main reason for this swap. The elimination of the rag joint is the best thing you can do for steering feedback.
The joint I got was from a late model Jeep Cherokee around 1999 to 2002. On this one you will notice the clamp style upper joint. It is not the same as the S-10 upper joint but it is not a big deal. All you have to do is grind a small divot is the steering column shaft of the S-10's and then it is all a bolt on.
