At the steering box end, the universal mates the 1 inch double D outer shaft to the splined shaft in the steering box.

The key to a great performing steering system is to utilize components that are designed to work together. For that reason, we will be upgrading to a new Flaming River integral reservoir steering pump (PN FR1572, $219) when the engine goes back in. Their pump flows 2.7 to 3.1 gallons per minute and has a reservoir that uses the same trivalent chromium-free plating as their steering box. Due to a different configuration of the reservoir, for our third-gen we will be retrofitting the Flaming River pump to our earlier style reservoir using their O-ring adapter kit (PN FR15720R).

Fitting into this segment's "while we we're at it" category, working with all of this crazy cool steering stuff, we just couldn't leave the old steering wheel in the car. Grant hooked us up with a new 14-inch wheel (PN 774, $163.07) and billet adapter (PN 5196, $45.95).

We then reinstalled the universals. With the countersunk dimples and red locktite, the shaft will stay securely fastened. You can never be too cautious when dealing with steering.

Here's the new slip shaft fully assembled and installed.

For additional support of the front frame area around the steering box, we will be adding a Global West Steering Support Brace (PN TS-13, $45.88). The brace is a simple installation that attaches under the stock sway bar mounts. The suspension will have to be fully loaded with the engine installed to properly install the bar.

The rubber bellows allows the inner and outer shaft to collapse, which aids in installing the shaft assembly. At the firewall end, the universal joint mates the 3/4-inch double D shaft in the column to the 3/4-inch inner double D shaft.