Re: 63-87 rack and pinion
everything you have wil work together. And, yes, the OE lines from the '01 Suburban will fit nicely.
When it comes to the steering connection, the question of "What column do you have?" comes in. The stock column can work, but it is pretty long, and forces the max steering angle in the top U-Joint. Here are three ways.
BEST: Call IDIDIT and order a "Short" column for your truck. Tilt, with-or-without a shifter on the column. This will fit in you OE mounts. Use a Borgeson or Flaming River U-Joint that is 3/4" x 36 spline on one side and 3/4" DD on the other. You will need about 16" of 3/4" DD shaft.
Better. Shorten the OE column so that the column outer tube passes through the floor by 1", and the inner steering shaft sticks out 1 1/2" from the tube. This is a LOT of work. see the option above.
Good. Use your OE column, but shorten the steering shaft. Cut the steering shaft appx 1" out from the tube. The OE shaft is 3/4" diameter. Very carefully use a grinder/sander/file to cut two flat spots on the shaft so that you can use a 3/4" DD type U-Joint. Use a 3/4"DD x 3/4"DD U-Joint and 16" of 3/4" DD shaft.
Works. (sort-of). Use the OE column as is. You will need a 3/4" x 36 spline to 3/4" DD u-Joint and 13" of 3/4" DD shaft. This will max out the U-Joint angle, and you may feel a tight spot every 1/2 turn. We don't really recommend this. U-Joint failure may occur with the U-Joint maxed out. - see options above.
Stay away from cheaper columns and U-joints. I know it's more $$ to spend, but this is not the place to cut corners. We have seen many failures with low quality columns and U-Joints.
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