What year model S-10 manual boxes are compatible for converting a third gen over to manual steering? I've done the search on this topic and all I saw was that the box needs to be out of a 4 cylinder truck. After searching in some salvage yards and checking parts stores, it appears that the 82-84 boxes are different than the 85-89 boxes. Are both boxes compatible ? If so, which would be best for this swap ?

 

i got one out of an 86 s-10 and it was a direct bolt in.......even used the s-10 pitman arm. oh and i hope you got skinnies up front......mine are comin soon cuz it's hard work turnin those 245/50/16 tires up front lol

 

mine came out of a 85

 

Mine is out of an 87.

I finally got to struggle with my steering last weekend. While putting the car on the trailer I didn't have a long straight shot at the ramps. I had to jockey the car around to get it lined up. Turning that wheel back and forth to get lined up was difficult when you're not moving very much.

 

Don't those boxes have a really high lock to lock ratio? I thought my bro-in-law has one on his Regal and he seems to turn, and turn, and turn before the wheels get where he wants them.

 

mine is an 88. just take your's with you to a parts stroe, i think you needa core anyway and let them match it up

 

Yes they have a high lock to lock ratio. They have to because there's no power assist. The extra ratio gives more of a mechanical advantage to turn the wheels.

If you want to spin the steering wheel with one finger then stick to power. If you want to remove a lot of weight from the front of the car use a manual box.

 

I realize they have to over come the weight issue up front so they gear them down, but it just seemed like his box was geared too low, man you'd lose your arms in a parking lot. Didn't the vega boxes have a little better ratio than the s-10's?

 

i belive mine came out of an 88s10

it's not real bad with the 15's on it

Can'te buy them at parts stores round here, have to pull em from bone yards. got mine with pitman arm for 50 bucks.


BTW.. i managed to not be paying much attention when i put mine in and got it hung up on the sway bar mounting bracket without realizing it.. so beware.