They are different. The length of the shaft that goes from the small front 'V-steering box' I call it, back to the steering rack is different between PS and a non-PS steering rack. About in inch difference in length between the two. The u-joint is the same. The length of the shaft is the difference, since where it joins onto the PS rack, I think it sticks out there further on the PS rack. I put the larger non-PS steering wheel on my PS-equipped weekender just to be able to see the top of the speedo better, but with my Volvo 740 leather driver's seat, the reach was too far to the top of the wheel and I went back to the smaller PS steering wheel - much nicer. People even run a PS vanagon with the belt disconnected and still keep the smaller steering wheel and seem to do just fine. There's a little better steering feel on snow and ice with the non-power steering too, I feel. And the 84 and earlier front and just feels more nimble handling than the 85 and later front suspension to me. And there's a weight savings to not having PS also. Scott www.turbovans.com But fuel mileage is about the same. -----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jake de Villiers Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:05 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Retrofit Electric Pumps AFAIK the steering connectors are the same for both vans. If somebody knows different I'm sure they'll speak up. I'm using the larger diameter early (non PS) steering wheel in Dixie. The steering effort is greater than my '84 but not by much. My wife drives the van without complaint. :) On Feb 19, 2008 9:34 AM, Miguel Pacheco <mundopacheco@gmail.com> wrote: > Going with disconnecting PS Pump and large diameter steering wheel sounds > like the way to go. A few of questions, though : > > Is the U-Joint connecting the steering shaft to PS rack made to handle > the > greater forces now demanded of it? > Any considerations for a Syncro? > What steering wheel is available for this application? > > Thanks, > Miguel >
-- Jake 1984 Vanagon GL 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie" Crescent Beach, BC www.crescentbeachguitar.com http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27 |
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