steering column swaps?

i've heard a few people say they swapped in other steering coloumns.....which one is the most popular?

Survey says?

I'm sure top-of-the-line aftermarket is a good choice, but at the moment i'm sorta tight on fundage

 

Re: steering couloumn swaps?

Try this http://www.earlycj5.com/tech/steering/index.shtml

 

Re: steering couloumn swaps?

thanx Chuck, but all i could find is steering box swap, not coloumn swaps

 

Re: steering couloumn swaps?

Saginaw swap, come from mid size or compact GM cars I"ve used Camaro-Firebird Jeep CJ and FSJ Wagoneer Cherokee. IIRC there are 3 lengths front wheel drive, the above mentioned and the one from the pickup or surburban. The truck columns are usually to long for our puposes. Really you could use any number that you could find that were 30"-32" in length. HTH

 

Re: steering couloumn swaps?

72 Chevy 3/4 ton column.

 

Re: steering couloumn swaps?

thanx for all the input!

I'll start scrounging the boneyards this weekend.....hasta be something useable out there i would think

 

Re: steering couloumn swaps?

had thought about the YJ's but haven't checked any out to see how they would mount/work for sure.

I could make the one i have work if need be, it's out of a "sunbird" supposidly with tilt, but it was an automatic column.....not a bad thing, but the automatic selector on the column is really loose and likes to slide down and keep the key from turning all the way back.

That, and the previous owner was around 5'2" and had the column mounted to where it was maybe 4" off the seatback

I'm 6'2" so i'm thinking a smaller column would be best......maybe

 

Re: steering couloumn swaps?

Sunbird, front wheel drive? if so I used one in a Samurai body once. If it's the old Vega bodysyle should still work. I think the one I used was around 28"IIRC. Like you I wanted it shorter for more room.

 

Re: steering couloumn swaps?

How about a Ford column? I am thinking of using the column out of the "86 Crown Vic that is donating the engine and wiring harness for my "80 CJ-5 swap, then I could have the light & wiper controls on the column levers. The measurements look good, think it's worth the effort since the parts are free?

See ya on the trails,

John

"Roads? Where we're going, we dont need roads"
Professor Brown, Back to the Future

 

Re: steering couloumn swaps?

I'd sure give it a try

 

Re: steering couloumn swaps?

I was about to ask the same question regarding column swaps. We have a 75 CJ-5 with a 304 that we are restoring. The only change we want to make is an updated tilt column to get rid of the non-cancelling turn signals. I also plan to use the dash mounted hazard switch location for an additional factory light switch for some KC daylighters.

I'm not scared of the wiring. However, I want to make the column look as factory original in mounting and appearance as possible. I would put in a later model CJ Dash, but want to keep the COOL early windshield, dash, and bracketry original.

Since I never have been able to find an original tilt CJ column without an expensive Jeep attached, I have been thinking of paying the $$$ for a Flaming River or IDIDIT column. It appears that the steering shaft has to be changed as well for a Flaming River column, as the splines are different. Prices for all the individual parts add up to over $700.00. I haven't been able to figure out if the IDIDIT column will work with the original shaft. Will salvaging the non-tilt mounts from a 76 or newer tub work in the 75, or does everything have to be custom fab anyway?

Does anyone have any experience/close up pictures of how they have installed a column? Or has anyone used either of Flaming River or Ididit columns and have any comments?

Thanks

 

Re: steering couloumn swaps?

Any modification to this column required?

A project '72 Jeep I'm considering comes with a "tilt column" in the parts pile and that's all I know about it. There are brackets installed, but I don't know if they are stock.

 

Re: steering couloumn swaps?

The original turn signals cancel if the rubber wheel that rolls against the steering wheel is in good shape. May be dried out and no longer work after 30 years, but the original design worked fine.

 

Re: steering couloumn swaps?

I have a tilt column out of an AMC Spirit that I am going to put in mine. It looks like it will work. From what I remember the AMC Hornet/Gremlin/Spirit/Concord/Eagle columns are the same as '70's-early '80's Camaro/Firebird.

 

Re: steering couloumn swaps?

I am not responding with an answer, this is more of a question.

What about Jeep Commando steering??


kamel

 

I swapped out the column in my 72. The PO had removed the original because the bottom had rusted out and the bushing froze to the shaft and the bus driver size original steering wheel just snapped the bad steel like a twig. The PO had already purchased a used column out of a newer Jeep. So I had the fun of making it work. It was too long so it needed to be shortened about 7" or so and an adaptor was fabedby my Father (retired machinist) to adapl the new shaft almost 1" to the old one of about 5/8" It works great the tilt is wonderful. A few cosmetic thing still need to be worked on but even with out them it looks ok.