More Dash and Steering Column Questions

Good Evening All,
We are just about ready to disassemble our 74 CJ-5 for a total frame-off paint/resto. All the mechanicals have been worked out.

We procured the machine from a cousin who bought new in California...no significant rust. He kept it in great original shape, 304, 4.27 gears, Detroit Locker, smog legal headers, etc. His only downfall was a small engine fire causing the need for a repaint and a penchant for cutting/drilling unneccessary holes for non-remaining accessories. We are considering a new dash panel as opposed to filling a bunch of holes.

The only significant mod: We want to install a tilt column from Flaming River, or equivalent, but make look as original as a tilt column would be in a 79 CJ...and keep the 74 gage/heater cable layout. We think we have the column mounts figured out, but the intermediate light/wiper switches are higher up in the dash than the 79 and end up interfering with the 76-up dash trim.

Specific question(s):

1. There is a fair assortment of metal replacement dash panels for 76 up CJs with only some cutouts for the column and glovebox,etc. Will a 76 up panel bolt up, if we re-work the windshield clamps (we are thinking about the Advance Adapters clamps). If so, we will work out the gage openings and switches to look original but work. We will also replace the"hazard" switch with another "lights" switch to run some KC Daylighters.

2. Is it possible to unbolt and lay the dash panel back to more conveniently access the wiring? or must I continue to crawl under because the wires will be too short?

3. The thread from the English chap installing the Flaming column was very helpful...anyone else have any threads, pictures?

Thank you very much.

 

i just posted about doing a tilt wheel on a '74... guess i can delete mine R)


*waits for answers

 

My CJ came with a '75 to '76+ dash and tilt conversion that was done very poorly, so I have it apart to redo it now. The whole dash panel comes out readily so it's easy to work on and also exposes the entire pedal box and steering column mount. The PO slotted new holes in the top of the late model dash to retain the '75 windshield latches.

 

Have you EVER done a total resto? Do you know what you are getting into?

Remember this mathematical formula:

0.2 X ($ put into a Jeep) = What you can sell it for

5 x (time you think it will take to finish) = time it will take to make it run again

 

Thanks Norco...please forward any existing photos or future ones for reference. I might have misspoke about "total" restoration...we plan to make a cool driver, not a show circuit vehicle. We have done several Jeeps, but the frame offs or or overall body repairs were due to roll-over by the POs. The other "project" is a 1980 Silverado with 15/39s and about $25K spent so we know the cash drain scenario.

 

i may wait on this one... the more i read into it the more $$$ it gets to be and i cant justify that much cash for a tilt wheel right now. my winch/tcase gears are way ahead of it on the list.

 

If all new components, I think a clean/original looking conversion will cost $750-$1000 and take a bunch of time to do right.