Hi all - my '99 2 dr Blazer (2 WD 5 sp) came to me brand new with what I consider sloppy steering (too much on-center play) ... and now at only 90K miles it's worse. It probably needs a steering shaft rag joint but I'm willing to fork out for a new gearbox as well IF there is such thing as a better or tighter one than OEM out there. Can't find anything online. Suspension, tie rods, arms etc are all good, and it's fitted w/ good 255/60 R15 Mickey Thompson street tires.

If anyone has info re better steering boxes please let me know here, thanks so much!

 

A steering box from an s10/sonoma(blazer/jimmy maybe)with the zq8 package has a "tighter" steering box.

I tightened the box itself slightly and added a steering stabilizer from rough country with my lift, and noticed a slight improvement. That and new tie rods,pitman arm and idler arms.

I have to look into using zr2 tie rods now, as they came with a different angle then the stock 4x4 aparently. But that's a different topic......

 

I purchased a ZQ8 steering box for my 89 S15 Jimmy, I also got rid of the Rag Joint & Tulip joint by installing a Jeep Cherokee shaft. Steering is tight, quick and no slop. But right now the Engine is out and I am in the process of stripping and painting the hood. The engine is built and the firewall has been painted. Hopefully by the end of the year it will be back on the road.

 

This is copied and pasted from that "other" forum. Apparently, lots of quick-ratio boxes will fit. Saginaw is kinda nice that way.

GM/Saginaw quick-ratio steering box donor car cheat sheet

Late Model 12.7:1 quick-ratio gearbox
ID markings YA, WS and HX
Line Thread Size: M18x1.5 and M16x1.5
Number of Mounting Holes: 3, (missing leg H-pattern)
Input Shaft Diameter: ¾-inch
Output Shaft Diameter: 1 ¼-inch
Number of Turns Lock to Lock: 2 ½ - 3
1984-'88 Monte Carlo/Malibu with Z65 suspension
1983-'88 Malibu, El Camino
1982-'92 Camaro except FE1 soft ride suspension
1984-'87 Regal with FE2 or FE3 sport suspension
1983-'84 Hurst/Olds
1985-'87 Cutlass with 5.0 (VIN code 9)
1982-'85 Trans Am
1986-'92 Firebird except FE1 suspension
1986-'87 Grand Prix with FE2 touring or F41 heavy duty suspension

 

Thanks for this Tom, overwhelmed w/ data now, that's cool LOL!

 

Happy to help. Obviously, I can't guarantee the accuracy of it, but I have no reason to doubt it, either.