I added this to our 'Getting to know the Nissan D21 Hardbody' thread but decided to break this info out into its own thread as well for those who might be looking for this specifically. Using factory service manuals from 720, D21 and D22 trucks I was able to gather as much info as I could on the various steering gears offered in both 2WD and 4WD D21 Hardbody trucks so I could reference it here. Any FAST users are welcome to verify and correct the data or add to it if they feel the desire, it will help all D21 owners with finding parts, performing modifications and restorations. So here it is, I present you the all the steering gears used on USDM D21 Hardbody trucks produced between 1986.5 through 1997.


Steering Gears:

Manual Steering
Model# B56S ** (Discontinued in 1991 Replaced by the VB66K)
# of Turns (Lock to Lock)
2WD= 4.9
4WD= 5.0 (3.9 4WD w/ 10.50R15 Tires)
Ratio= 22

Model# VB66K (Introduced in 1991)
# of Turns (Lock to Lock)
2WD= 5.8
4WD= 5.9 (Discontinued from 4WD models starting in 1996)
Ratio= 24.4-26.84


Power Steering
Model# PB48S (Carried over from the 720 Series Trucks)
# of Turns (Lock to Lock)
2WD= 3.7
4WD= N/A
Ratio= 16.5

Model# PB56S (Introduced in 1986 and discontinued in 1994. Replaced by PB59K)
# of Turns (Lock to Lock)
2WD= N/A
4WD= 3.8
Ratio= 17.0

Model# PB59K
# of Turns (Lock to Lock)
2WD= N/A
4WD= 3.4 (2.5 if equipped with 10.50R15 tires)
Ratio= 15

Nissan used ZF Company for the design of its steering gears. http://www.zf.com/corporate/en/company/ ... rview.html


*Sources*
-1986 Midyear, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997 Nissan D21 Factory Service Manuals
-1985 Model Nissan 720 Service Manual
-1998, 1999 Nissan D22 Frontier Service Manuals