I am in the process of installing a better steering box in my car, I have a 82 GS. I just removed it from my car... and realize that the rod that extends to the interior is longer than the one I purchased.

My question is... how do I put this on? There's no way I can fit it, right? Which steering box is that? Is that another year?

I was told that 81-85 is all the same... the ebay seller, rx7addict, advertised the auction that was pulled from a 82...

Here's the pic of it...

 

does the one with the longer shaft move in and out? if so then the little pin has broken, as its designed to in a crash

there are actually 3 LHD steering boxes.

84-85 power box

there are 2 manual boxes, 79-81.5 (not sure of the actual split, my 9/81 build car has the old style box) and the 82-85 box.

both boxes are similar, and i thought interchangeable.

the 79-81 box is from the rx-3 and its adjuster is just a giant flathead screw

the 82-85 box has a giant nut for its adjusting.

 

No, the longer one doesn't move in and out.

I have been told that the shorter one is for a 79-80 and 81-85 shares the same box.

 

I have been trying to figure something out as well about steering boxes. I just parted out my 83 LE,and about 6 years ago I swapped in a low mileage steering box that was extremely tight. I decided that before the car left for the boneyard that I would remove it for a spare in my 79,but no-one can tell me if they are the same,and I don't want to take the one in my 79 out to find out, The 79 box is very tight as well,but I plan on keeping the car forever,so I figured I would have a spare. If the 83 isn't compatible with my 79 though I guess I would sell it.

 

It looks like the shorter one is collapsed to me, is the tube it goes in longer than the top box if you slid it on? I've put 79 boxes on 84 cars and vis-versa with no probs except the key mounts a little different.