Hooker BlackHeart Steering Shaft?

[L05edSS]

who's done this? i'm looking at it and watched a few vids on install and looks like grinding needs to be done on steering wheel shaft to fit. i looked at itr thinkin 'shouldn't there be dust boots over U joint areas'? what's goin on there, are the bearings sealed? i don't see grease fittings... i'm kinda interested from a reg street driving POV, post your testimony. TIA

Hooker BlackHeart 71223022HKR Hooker BlackHeart Steering Shaft

Hooker BlackHeart has quickly become the leader in engine swaps and we are excited to announce new products for 1982-2004 GM S10/Sonoma trucks and 1982-1988 GM G-Body. The new Hooker BlackHeart steering shafts are designed to work with Hooker Blackheart S-10/Sonoma LS Swap Headers (P/N's...

www.holley.com

 

[Injectedcutty]

who's done this? i'm looking at it and watched a few vids on install and looks like grinding needs to be done on steering wheel shaft to fit. i looked at itr thinkin 'shouldn't there be dust boots over U joint areas'? what's goin on there, are the bearings sealed? i don't see grease fittings... i'm kinda interested from a reg street driving POV, post your testimony. TIA

Hooker BlackHeart 71223022HKR Hooker BlackHeart Steering Shaft

Hooker BlackHeart has quickly become the leader in engine swaps and we are excited to announce new products for 1982-2004 GM S10/Sonoma trucks and 1982-1988 GM G-Body. The new Hooker BlackHeart steering shafts are designed to work with Hooker Blackheart S-10/Sonoma LS Swap Headers (P/N's...

www.holley.com

Sheesh they're proud of that thing. Go find a rwd astro van at the junkyard and snatch the shaft from it. Clock the upper end 90 degrees, Grease and paint it. You're all in for maybe $30-40.

 

[L05edSS]

Sheesh they're proud of that thing. Go find a rwd astro van at the junkyard and snatch the shaft from it. Clock the upper end 90 degrees, Grease and paint it. You're all in for maybe $30-40. View attachment 228249

i'm down with that lower price grift however in my situation not so easy but open to alternatives just seen the hooker version as a starting point.

 

[Injectedcutty]

i'm down with that lower price grift however in my situation not so easy but open to alternatives just seen the hooker version as a starting point.

I'm running headers on my LS and have plenty of clearance. Unless the hookers loop out far you'd be fine. There was a guy on here selling already modified astro van shafts. The other alternative is one from a grand cherokee.

 

[Rt Jam]

The body of frame design needs a slip joint to connect the steering box to the steering column.

The 2 universal joint shafts do not have a slip joint to deal with linear movement.

When you got it all apart push and pull on the shaft sticking out of the steering box, then do the same on steering column. There is zero movement in and out.
The front frame section WILL move around as we drive. I've heard the replies of the D shaft telescoping but it's very hard to move because it's meant to collapse in an accident, not for the constant frame flexing.

It's been done many times without a slip joint but I believe in not eliminating it. You also have the option to rebuild the rag joint. There is no slop joint unless it's broken.

 

[gnvair]

I have the Astro shaft on my Malibu and my Grand National. Both work great and didn't cost anything close to that Hooker shaft. Only modifications were clocking it and filing a groove on the lower shaft of the column to clear the retaining bolt.

 

[Supercharged111]

If these use the same rag as a 4th gen Camaro you could pop one of these in.

Unbalanced Engineering 1993-97 Camaro and Firebird Rag Joint Eliminator Kit

 

[L05edSS]

i happened to run across this and i've had good luck with this place so far, might be more but should fit no issues like seen with hooker piece.

Upgraded Refurbished Used Lower Steering Shaft-023

www.mikesmontes.com

 

[Sweet_Johnny]

I'll just wait until Ostrich has a chance to locate more Astro shafts and prep them. Same thing, way cheaper.

 

[81camel]

I have this Hooker Blackheart steering shaft. More expensive than an Astro shaft, but I didn't have time to dig around at junkyards.
It worked great for me.