1st Gen vs 2nd Gen steering shafts

[Matt 4.3 TBI]

I was looking around for a replacement for my steering sector shaft, and I couldn't get a straight answer if the 2nd gen version would bolt up or not. Everyone I asked had a different answer (usually a variant on 'no').

Anyhow, I went out to the local junkyard today and decided to compare the two. From left to right (facing hinge side of toolbox) 2nd gen lower shaft, 1st gen lower shaft, 2nd gen upper shaft, 1st gen upper shaft.

http://www.sicgmtrucks.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=936&stc=1

http://www.sicgmtrucks.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=937&stc=1

http://www.sicgmtrucks.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=938&stc=1

As you can see the ends are all identical. Each joint will bolt up to the other model's gearbox or steering column. The 2nd gen lower shaft is too long though (I dropped the steering column inside the cab to get the upper shaft out).

I ended up taking the 1st gen lower shaft, the 2nd gen upper, the rubber shaft cover, and the two-piece gearbox cover (MUCH easier to deal with than the 1st gen one piece!). I'll probably get it installed tomorrow.

[Matt 4.3 TBI]

I got bored and installed it tonight. The upper was a bit tight, and needed a bit of coaxing (aka hammer) to get it to slide up all the way easily. I have that orange rubber cover, but left it off when I realized it would be touching my header. That 2-piece rag joint cover is great, though! Loads easier to install than the one-piece deal. Not really worth taking a picture of it, it looks exactly the same as the old one (except the upper boot isn't shredded).

[bvr775]

if your asking whats the differnce. it's a safty feature thing offered on the 2nd gens that wasn't offered on the 1st. I'm not sure when they changed the safts around, but i know it has to do with the goverments crash rating.
but the simple answer is Yes an 03 shaft will fit in an 81. pull any GM shaft from a RWD and you'll see their all basicaly the same. In outher words an s-10 shaft will fit max's T/A.i thinck the only differnce however is going to be in lengths for the full size specail option 4x4s like a z71 that suposedly have a longer shaft

[Matt 4.3 TBI]

One thing I've noticed after installing the new shaft- the steering wheel is now a few degrees off-center to the left. The shaft can only be installed one way due to the flat spot on the gearbox shaft and the flat spots on the upper steering shaft. All I can assume is the pot joint on the upper shaft was tweaked a bit on the old one? Unfortunately I can't just pull the steering wheel and rotate it a few splines since the horn cable only goes in one spot. So, do I need to go get another alignment?