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Steering column recommendation for civilianized M-38 w/ saginaw manual box...

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by Jordan, Apr 25, 2012.

  1. Apr 25, 2012
    Jordan

    Jordan Member

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    Can anyone recommend a steering column to use in my civilianized M-38? I have a sagninaw manual box and I need to try and marry it up with a salvaged steering column. Tilt would be nice too. Any recommendations on what is likely to give me the least problems fitment wise?

    Thanks,

    Jordan
     
  2. Apr 25, 2012
    Mike C

    Mike C Member

    Austin, TX
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    The tilt part threw me. My first recommendation would have been an intermediate CJ-5. But if tilt is what you want, look into a CJ-5/CJ-7 column.
     
  3. Apr 25, 2012
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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  4. Apr 25, 2012
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    XJ Cherokees can work well also and all over the wrecking yards. The cleanest ones would probably be what Warloch posted.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  5. Apr 25, 2012
    Jordan

    Jordan Member

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    Thanks everyone for the assistance.
     
  6. Apr 26, 2012
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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  7. Apr 26, 2012
    Jordan

    Jordan Member

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    John:

    Was that one from Summit overly long, or did it fit good? Someone suggested to me I might want to go with a short column.

    Jordan
     
  8. Apr 27, 2012
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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  9. Apr 27, 2012
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    30" seems to work well in flatties if it is tilt. I had a 28" non-tilt before but the steering wheel was dished a couple inches so it was essentially the same. The shape of one's anatomy is also something you need to consider-one size will not fit all and I sort of fall into the whimpy catagory.

    The important things to keep in mind will be the column alignment with respect to headers/manifolds and the sector box. The length of the column will factor into the equation as it will put limits how much you can angle it up or back and still have the u-joints work properly.
     
  10. Apr 27, 2012
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    I've had good luck with the 30" tilt using the Summit, Ididit, and Flaming River over the years.
     
  11. Apr 27, 2012
    Jordan

    Jordan Member

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    Thanks.
     
  12. May 1, 2012
    Redcj3a

    Redcj3a New Member

    Middletown, Ohio
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    This is what I am hoping to use. This part has a 3/4" id hole in the bearing at each end. I am planning to weld a mounting plate to it that will bolt to my dash. The steering wheel will mount to a flange on a 3/4" rod that will have universals attached as needed. I have seen this setup on rail and rock buggies. Hope it works for me.

    http://www.go-drews.com/catalog.php.../catalog.php?page=1&category=Steering%20Parts
     
  13. May 3, 2012
    Jordan

    Jordan Member

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    Red CJ3a:

    What is the advantage of using that steering bearing over a column? Does it give you more flexibility in angles or something?

    Thanks,

    Jordan
     
  14. May 5, 2012
    Redcj3a

    Redcj3a New Member

    Middletown, Ohio
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    Jordan,

    I hope to know how well it works out in the next couple of weeks. I was trying to reduce the 2" column size. This will result in only a 3/4" rod going down from the dash. I saw this set-up on a rock crawler and price was some consideration also. The piece itself is pretty well made. At one time, I was considering mounting this bearing to the dash height cross bar on my roll cage. I am now planning to mount it to a plate on the dash.

    I will eventually share my results with this effort.

    John
     
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