Hey guys an gals.

Was a manual (non power) steering box ever offered from the factory on a third gen.

If so what years etc.

Trying to get some weight off of the front of a third gen. Strict rules call for 3rd gen parts only on the race cars so S10 parts are out of the question.

later

kyle

 

AFAIK there was never a manual steering option for the third gen.

- Justin

 

I couldnt find any info on a manual so I didnt think they where offered.
Figured I better ask to be sure.

later

kyle

 

Nope, it wasnt ever a option. But you can get a steering box from a later 80's s10 and it will work.

 

"IF" it was ever offered, it would have used the exact same steering box found on an S10 since the S10 box is a direct bolt in. You're going to want a 84+ manual box with the 4 bolt top cover. The earlier ones will work but they're not the same.

Strict rules for racing? What kind of racing? For drag racing, the manual box works fine and only someone knowledgeable about third gens will know that the manual box is from an S10. For autocrossing, you'll want to keep the power steering. The manual box is 7 turns from stop to stop. Doing a lot of quick turns becomes difficult having to turn the steering that much.

A poor man's manual box is to remove everything related to power steering except the box and loop a hose between the 2 ports to keep some fluid in the box. Steering will be a little more difficult without the power assist or the extra multiplication of a manual box plus the power box is considerably more heavy but it will work.