72 Dash in my 69 ?

I am putting a 72 dash in my 69. Has anyone else done something similar. The only real problem I see so far is the steering column is 4 inches to the left of the original location. This is good in one sense because I moved the drivers seat left when I put a center consul in, but bad in that I am not ready to convert the steering to p/s and need to get the cj running on the road soon.
I am thinking I will loosen the Ross box from the frame and pull the column over. Once it is tight to the dash I will shim the Ross box between the box and the frame and tighten it back up.
Does anyone see a problem with my plan?

 

Wouldn't this cause a misalignment problem with the steering? I would think that a mod to the dash would be easier-

 

Well I don't think so as it will just move the center of the steering wheel a bit. I have a 1 piece tie rod already installed. I ultimately want the steering wheel where it is going now as it centers on the drivers seat. When I do the p/s conversion it won't matter as I will have u=joints with a jack shaft. This is a very temorary patch. Also the 72 dash has the big hole for a tilt wheel which I'd like to add eventually.

 

Am I the only one who has done this swap? Dashes are really hard to find for early CJs and pretty available for mid 70's. I got a really clean one at a wrecking yard.

 

Hey Gregg. I can't really help you with your situation, but you're not the only one who wants to do this. I too plan to convert to p/s and move the column over. When you move your current column, will the other end hit the oil pan at all. You're just talking about running the column at an angle for now right? Also will the brake peddle still clear?

 

End of report. I am giving up on the 72 dash. Here is why: Steering just won't fit in a reasonable manner, all the holes for switches are too small and it is really hard to drill our a 5/8th hole to 1 inch, or whatever they are.
I'm just going to refurbish my original dash and save the 72 for another day. Perhaps when I do the p/s conversion and have the later column.

 

Yes, that is what I'm doing. I hope to have all the "stuff" gathered for a summer start on the p/s converstion. During the winter I will continue to work on the 72 to get it ready.