cherokee tilt steering install pics

lafster, here are the images of the cherokee tilt steering wheel install and before i cleaned up, made some position adjustments, painted, etc.

the wire routing is different (i used some shrink tubing to protect the wires) i also routed the wire ribbon on the other side so i could mount the plug back in original mounting ( on the right side of the column) tho it is not that way in these pics

i could have used the column ignition switch for power but i only use it for the steering lock as theft device. i use the oem dash keyed ignition switch so i have two keys.)

i think i still might have the pinout diagram for the column plugs. note that when i removed the column i also took both ends of the electrical plugs and as much attached wire as i could.
this is before i painted everything and finalized it. note the column ring at the dash and one on the floor. very solid.
all bolts lockwashers and nuts are grade 8, got the rings from local metal/machine shop supply
more images on next post.

 

part deux...

notice i cut and ground the bottom flange and part of the steering tube of to where the blue/green bearing is seated in the tube. from there on down there was a gap between the tube wall and the bearing so there was no compromising the solid fit of the bearing.

hope this helps laffster. i have more of the entire way down including past the manifold and to the steering box if you need em.

 

thanks

chris

 

Looks Good.

Did you consider any other steering columns before the Cherokee one? Did you get it at a yard? I'm going to look for one tommorro so was wondering what would fit. I have a pinto column in now but it has problems.

 

lynn, thanks for the compliment. it took a bit of browsing in bins at the metal supply shop. and i stumbled onto these. i forget exactly what they're called but will look it up for you. they are really heavy and solid. i think they may be called column or shaft collars. the top one is i believe 2.25" or 2.5" in dia. the floor is about 2.00" you can find them from less than an inch to over 4" i used a drill press in my dept. to drill out the bolt holes for the grade 8's. they were somewhere between $8 and $14 ea. i can find that out for you as well.

the patch on the floor is 16 ga (thicker than oem) and is bolted not welded to the rest of the floor board. the po had really butchered that spot when he put in another column from a caprice which was loose and shot.

robotor, i pretty much decided on a cherokee since i couldn't find any pre airbag columns from wranglers or any ps intended columns from cj's around here. considered wagoneers but the realized that i could get the complete shorter column from a cherokee circa 87 or 88 which is i believe the last years before in column airbags.

also they were in much better shape than the older ones. plus had "jeep" on the horn button . i think it took be back about $50 for the whole unit including the intermediate shaft which i couldn't use after all and sold for about $10 or $15 locally.

this jeep had a tilt wheel from a caprice but it was really loose, had a lot of play in it and was pretty beat up. i had to patch the dash with steel to put it back as stock since the po had mounted the caprice column up high and cut out a large hole for the caprice. i can post more pics if you wish of before during and after.

if you have someone pull it for you make sure to tell them that you want BOTH sides of the wire connectors with as much wire lead as they can pull. also MAKE SURE IT HAS KEYS THAT work..... don't ask me how i remembered this... lol

also when you install the column, make sure you mock up the fit and position. i used web straps and looped it around the steering wheel and the roll cage and adusted the angle of the column to the floor that would be most comfortable and stable for me. then i used that to locate the new hole in the new floor plate. after that i mocked it up again and determined how far i would shove the bottom end through the floor into the engine compartment. i spent some time sitting in the seat behind the new position to make sure it would be comfortable (making engine noises while doing this is optional but it sure entertained the neighbors and my family. wife just rolled her eyes, she's used to this kind of antic.) then came back later to make sure i could actually get in and out of the seat with it in that position!

didn't mean to write this much. sorry. gotta cut back on the bean of cafeine.

 

oh yeah.. it's actually a full collar. when i replaced the part the po cut out, i recreated the bottom fold or flange on the bottom of the dash.

i then drilled new holes to match those holding the collar halves together.

so the top half of the collar is actually around the top of the column, the bottom half is as you see it in the picture (around the bottom) and the hex bolts pass through the new drilled holes in the dash edge. so the dash edge is acting like a "washer" or spacer between the top and bottom halves of the collar.

i.e. the bottom half of the collar is attached to the top half with the column and the lip of the dash between the halves.

it seemed sturdier, added some beef to the dash instead of using nuts and washers.
i was also able to cut the original column piece from a 71 dj i ran across since the po had cut half of it out of mine.
make sense? pictures follow...

 

thanks!

 

Steve you say you have the wiring schematic for the wires to the column?

 

i think i still do. i'll look tonite or tomorrow. i also referred to a book on custom rod electrical systems. turns out it's a pretty much generic gm column pin out. i'll try to find the title of the book again. got it from the library.

 

Nice work Steve! Where did you get the collar and that piece that snugs the column to the dash?

 

I'd think since they are all saginaw the pin loction would be close to the same, wire color different but specific functions probably wouldn't change much. If you find it I'd like to compare.

 

from a local place called hokel's machine and metal great place they let me look around until i find what i need. i will look up the exact name, part # and manufacture, when i get a little time during the day. (hopefully tomorrow)

 

Steve- Upon further review of your setup it is my belief that it's kinda flimsy for your heavy duty steering column, not to mention your awesome and manly jeep. I suggest you box it up and send your hardware to me so I can magnaflux it.

Free of charge of course. R)

 

R) :stout: thanks? lol


the collars are OFFICIALLY called

two piece split shaft collars

the shop here gets them from an importer named revo worldwide.

they come is various diameters. make sure you specify the id not the od.
pretty hefty pieces. price ranges from $8 and up.

 

good work