steering column tube question...

Any idea what changed in 1972 regarding the steering column tubes? I have been searching for a replacement tube on the webs and all the ones I find stop at 1972... mine is broke and I could prob fix it but these tubes are fairly inexpensive and replacing would be easier... any ideas where to find a tube for a 72? or make the 71 work?

 

No, the '72 tube is different and the earlier tube won't work. Everything about the steering is different for 1972; the seating position, tube angle, steering shaft, steering gear, everything except the bus wheel and the turn signal lever. Jeep PN 999720. Only used '72-75. There are lots of parts that were only used '72-75 and are now NLA.

If you can find a used one, it's unlikely someone will sell it by itself. To me, fixing what you have seems easiest.

 

So *if* someone had an NOS one then they could what? Basically retire? hellokitty

 

lol ... not from my salary... I'll have to work on repairing/rebuilding mine... I almost had my paws on one from a 74 for 40$ but someone else snatched it up

 

You might contact Mr. Pack Rat and see if he knows of a NOS column tube that migh be had for a reasonable price (less than a retirement fortune).

 

so a 75 will work?

 

Yep.

 

whos mr pack rat?

 

whats an NOS?

 

That would be me. NOS = New Old Stock.
I did find two tubes but neither are what you need. I'll have a look in the back shed tomorrow.

 

Just an FYI for what these can go for. I had a '72-'75 column with a worn out lower bushing. A customer offered me $75 for it (which I accepted) and all he took was the tube. He gave me back the shaft, steering wheel, Spartan turn signal assembly, etc. I didn't expect any parts back.
If you can repair yours, do it. The tube and lower bushing seem to be the most valued parts.

 

wow... aftermarket tubes for post 75 are 22 dollars... lol ... supply and demand I guess ... go figure... thanks for all the info folks... much appreciated... I still may be interested Pack rat if you find one...

 

Well I guess I'm not going to get rich after all . While out looking for it today it occurred to me why I couldn't find it, sold it about 8 years ago.

 

do you still have the money or did you spend it on jeep parts? ... my guess is... you spent it on Jeep parts.... LOL

 

New Jag

 

hey packrat... you got a tilt for a 76 floor shifter... key in the column?

 

FWIW, I made mine (66) from galvanized electrical conduit and had a local muffler shop flare the ends for the bushings. Worked like a champ, looks completely stock and it's a slightly thicker wall so a bit stronger.

 

that is a great eye deer

 

This isn't exactly the case. I used one of the repro pre-72 tubes (Omix or Crown, can't remember which) in my '75 two years ago. Just had to cut it down a little shorter. Otherwise it works 100% fine - diameter, etc. is correct.