74 cj5 tilt steering column

What tilt steering column will bolt rite into my 74 cj5

 

None that I know of. All will require some modification. A tilt column from a later CJ is probably close. You could also buy an aftermarket column (Flaming River, Ididit, likely others) that will be close to what you need.

 

Has anybody tried fitting a 76+ dash into an intermediate? That might help fitting a later CJ column on an intermediate, if it's possible.

 

I just took some measurements between a 79 and a 73, they match up very closely, if not exactly. The hole in the firewall would have to be altered to fit the steering column, but it seems plausible.

 

Consider also that the pedals mount to the column and the 76+ pedals will not work with the 55-75 floor pans, they are just shaped completely wrong. I supposed they could be cut and bent, but that's a lot of work. So you'll have to adapt the earlier pedals to the later column.

 

Or use the newer pedal assembly along with the new column. Likely do-able, but not a bolt-in.

A Flaming River or Ididit column would probably be easier. They are commonly used in hot rods. If it's just a plain tilt column with no key-lock in the column (as with the GM columns - the '76-on Jeep columns are of GM design, if you didn't know), this should make the column thin and a comparatively easy substitute for the original. The key-lock stuff is mostly an anti-theft provision, and makes the column bulky and complicated.

 

If you are just looking for more room and are on a budget I would suggest just cutting the column down. I was in the same position with a 74 and looked for a tilt column and decided I didn't want to spend the money. You can mount up everything exactly as you want it and I have plenty of room now. Ended up throwing on a 14" steering wheel as well. I cut off about 6" from the top of the column housing and then from the center of the center of the column. Welded the column back together with a heavy duty sleeve and ended up machining a quick sleeve out of teflon for the top end between the shaft and outer housing. If it is something you might be interested in let me know and I can post some pics.

 

Sounds interesting, I'd like to see your work

 

This is what I'm saying, the newer pedals don't work with the shape of the older floor pan. They're too long and will hit the floor long before they extend to operating range. Using them would require cutting them down and bending them to a better shape.

 

Hmm. I wonder if the floors are all that different, or if it's the angle of the column that changes. I had thought the newer columns were mounted higher and more level than the bus wheel columns.

 

That's correct, the intermediates are mounted considerably lower and at a steeper angle.

The floorboards are way different too.
'73:


'78:

 

Yes, the contour of the floors is markedly different and makes it more difficult to use later pedals in a '75 and older CJ. In a '71 and older its even more of a challenge as the column and the seats are moved more towards the center of the tub creating clearance issues with exhaust, bellhousing, engine, etc., etc.


Sent from my iPhone

 

I did this mod. Putting in a 76+ tilt column with the 76+ pedals.

The pedals do indeed hit the toe board fairly quickly, however, all I did for the clutch pedal was cut out some metal in the arm and raise it a bit. I did not touch the brake pedal, it works fine as long as you change out the master cylinder for the same year.

The column is a different story. Due to the shallower angle of the tilt column you have to drill a large hole for the column above where the current hole is in the firewall. This also means that you will have to have the means to fill or cover the old hole. You could use the existing dash, or change to a 76+ without a problem but I was customizing my dash by getting one from Double D fab, and they made me a 76+ dash with all the right holes for the column, and still had the 74 windshield latches and some other dash lights, etc. So working with the old dash wasn't in my plan.

I'm happy with my outcome and it all came together well, however, I would not go through this trouble again.

I could get you some recent pics, but in the mean time this is my web site that has some of this info on it...

Column install description

Here are some pics of the result...