[Bazuka]

Just brought a conversion kit for my sierra, BenT kit, pump, box, res etc etc.

On the BenT kit thread it says I need a collapsible steering shaft. Is this to aid instillation because the body is off or do I really need this?

What years of sierra have the collapsible steering shaft and how do you ID it?

Also what is the better setup in terms of strength and reliability Jimny or Vit PS?

Cheers.

[Gwagensteve]

Can't comment on which is stronger, but yes, you need a collapsible column regardless of whether you have a BL. All 1.3 swb sierras after 1991 should have one, not sure about LWB/maruti.

Steve.

[pezz]

i just fitted jimny power steering to my lwb 86 sj51
it had a solid steering shaft, i cut and shut it to suit(as it had to be about 50mm shorter)
but i have now sourced a collapsible shaft as i like the idea of not getting a shaft though the chest in a head on.
personally i would fit a collapsible shaft to any car that didn't have one if it was as simple as swapping it out

[Fatzook]

Gwagensteve wrote:

not sure about LWB/maruti.

Steve.

Maruti has them.

[Bazuka]

Great, I think I can find a collapsible steering shaft.

2 more questions...

1... If I use power steering should I be running a damper too? I am tidying up the chassis ready for painting and have cut the sway bar mounts off, if I can cut the damper mount off everything would look very neat and tidy.

2... If I run Vit power steering, if I want to replace the steering box at a later date will a Jimny one bolt in and use the same pump and lines or will I need a whole new set up?

[Rusho]

1... I wouldn't bother

2... Why would you?? Just put another Vitara box back on it. The lines might be similar lengths etc, so it might work. You would also have to take off the benT kit wedge to fit the jimny box. So in essence it would end up costing you a lot of $$'s for no real gain

[droverdave]

I recenetly removed the steering damper on my stock sj50 just to see what it did, and i noticed without it the car seemed to wander on the road a bit. I didnt try and 4wding with it off though.

I think this is due to the clearance in the 30yr old steering box, given the damper is on the wheel side of the steering box, and the steering wheel is on the other side of it. Any clearance the wheels are free to wander, steering damper i suspect helps keep the thing pointing straight.

So based on my limited experience i reckon its worth putting a steering damper on if you can.

[Gwagensteve]

A steering damper does very little with power steering fitted. It's purpose is largely covered by the design of the power steer box -i.e reducing kickback.

Steve.