If you only have 2 joints, no, it is not necessary. I'm not sure what rack that is exactly. I installed a j-body rack, and although not driven yet, I do have the joints hooked up.. It is a double joint, so one near thefirewall, then one near the actual input shaft. The upper joint seems to almost be at it's limit. But yours, from the picture (I would have to be there) almost seems like you could use 2 joints, as opposed to 3? Looks like it has a long run from teh column to the rack.

 

Mike,

Unless you have an interference issue, I'd ditch the third ujoint.

 

The width of the additional joint takes up more space than what is saved by not using it. I can see where if the length of the first shaft was longer, then it would move everything to the inner fender and give another inch or so of clearence, say to miss the headers when an inch would matter. You would think that flaming river would have thought of this and included it in the directions. None of the joints function as a damper, unless the use of three would qualify.

 

Is that a manual clutch linkage sticking through the firewall? If so, you are really going to hate the engineers at Flaming River when you go to hook it up :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: (so don't ditch that 3rd joint yet). Wish you would have called/PM'd/etc. me before you purchased it... :shrug:

If it's not, and you'll be running an automatic, then you should be fine (as long as your headers clear). :thumbsup:

 

The clutch linkage will be gone in favor of a cable setup. I've been too lazy to take it out. PM me and let me in on the secret.