Steering column upgrade options?

[insaneranger]

I installed a stainless Flaming River tilt column in my '88 & really like it. I also got rid of the rag joint & bought a stainless knuckle joint. The only slop left in my system was the worn out steering box.

 

[adsm08]

Or pull the bearing and get the numbers off it and just replace the bearing.

GFL. I've tried.

 

[sexybluelady]

You can buy universal steering columns. Your going to have to fab some stuff and make it work but there is no direct bolt on replacement option.

Thank you, this is what I wanted the answer to. If there were any companies that anyone knew of that made aftermarket upgrade options for the 1st gen ranger.
I figured as much but just wanted to throw this question out there, just in case there was some "underground" company that made some on request or something to this nature.
I'm going to go ahead and fab up my own column using one of the universal kits.

 

[sexybluelady]

I installed a stainless Flaming River tilt column in my '88 & really like it. I also got rid of the rag joint & bought a stainless knuckle joint. The only slop left in my system was the worn out steering box.

Thank you, I will look into the stainless Flaming River tilt column right now. I saw this reply after I had made my other post.
Do you happen to remember the part number as well?

 

[sexybluelady]

GFL. I've tried.

Same here, I tried finding that bearing years ago with no luck.
It looks like another member found a new option instead of going on the hunt for another 30+ year old used steering column. I'm going to look into the stainless Flaming River tilt column like they suggested.

 

[Dirtman]

There is no bearing I can't find! I accept your challenge...

 

[sexybluelady]

There is no bearing I can't find! I accept your challenge...

If you are able to find it, I will bake you a homemade pinapple upside down cake. No lie

 

[Dirtman]

Someone has to send me one first.

 

[bobbywalter]

They are available at Detroit bearing. I no longer have the number but my bronco column with the other gen 2 style needs a lower as well.

Problem I was having with the gen 1 is retention...it ....the retention spring walks a bit...the bearing which is thin.. gets cocked and wore out pretty quickly. The kep spring is hard to not wreck. This was exacerbated by the body lift. But I also use ujoints instead of rag joints. So slop is not the issue....the clunk from flopping around drives me nuts.


Planning on moving my steering shaft over eventually like I have done on other trucks so I quit playing with it. Mostly To allow a center mount turbo on my diesel. It's only been 10 years.



Anyway....I am going home this weekend.

Planning on leaving wed for work.

But I will try to get this if you are really interested. I will try to dig out an aerostar shaft as well to shit can that rag joint. That will make a bigger difference.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I adapted a nice second gen stub shaft into mine which swapped one of the rag joints for a u-joint. Steering feel (with a bodylfit) is much better.

If somebody can get a number for the bearing I can do some digging too.

 

[Dirtman]

I just measure the bearing dimensions and match it that way. I've had to replace tons of strange bearings on machines and random nonsense over the years. It's practically impossible for a bearing to simply not exist. Sometimes you gotta switch it up and go to a sealed bearing, or from a ball bearing to a roller bearing, but I've yet to be stumped and bearingless yet...