I picked up most of the sheet metal that I need to fix my truck from Autobody Specialties at the Carlisle Chrysler show. Decent folks to deal with and the metal is pretty stout. I haven't had time to gauge it but seems like 18 or 19 ga.
I had to do SOMETHING to the truck so I replaced the stock dome and map bulbs with LED's. Brighter, cooler and far less current draw.
My RR steering box is on it's way back from Chip at Power Steering Service. I had it rebuilt to stock specs. Now I need to figure out how to do the steering shaft.

 

I haven't got around to making my steering shaft yet. It was easier to work on the hydroboost with it out.

 

Oh I got the Cherokee to pass smog.

 

Nice! Fortunately don't have to worry about that here in PA.
It's looking like I can get the bottom Ujoint coupler from Sweeten Racing. I read a post somewhere about using the steering shaft (box to rag joint) from a mid 80's 2wd truck because its several inches longer and can be cut to the proper length. I won't know til I get there.

 

My RR steering gear showed up today and looks pretty good! Dunno about the color though...might need to shoot some Equipment Yellow on that.

 

Man that made me laugh.....

 

It would have to be at least 20" long to start with. I just checked my old 2wd shaft and it is only 15" long from the flange to the top of the bottom joint.

 

Might've been from a 4x4 truck. I'll have to dig around and find it. I think it was on 1st Gen . Org.
Are you taking into account the length of the U-joint assembly when you say it needs to be 20"?

 

Here is a better measurement.A picture is worth a thousand posts
Ignore the angle of the tape in the first picture it is just for reference I had a hard time holding the tape and the camera at the right angle.

 

Thanks for the pics! Might have to cogitate on that a bit. I'm thinking 21" box to flange minus about 4" for the shaft splines and U joint plus an inch for shaft mating etc. Probably around 18" total length needed. I'll do some measuring next time I'm in the jy.

 

As long as as you start out long your good.
Is the input on your box 13/16"? or 3/4"?

 

13/16". I could've had it re-splined to 3/4" by Chip but I wanted to keep it as standard as possible in case I need to replace it on the fly. Sweeten Racing makes a 13/16" x 36 spline by 3/4" weld on end Ujoint for "big chevy" boxes. Since Chevy used Saginaw steering gear too I hope mine is the same. I haven't counted splines yet.
Also: My buddies got a kick out of the Hello Kitty AR15!

 

Ahhhh....That's better!!!


Also per Ollie's request to see more Equipment Yellow!

 

I knew you couldn't stay away from those rattle cans!

Looking good!

 

Yellow