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Shortening steering column

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Dana, Jan 26, 2008.

  1. Jan 26, 2008
    Dana

    Dana Think Pink

    Jamaica Beach, Texas
    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2006
    Messages:
    370
    If I get a shorter steering shaft I'm hoping I can slide the column further down the rabbit hole so that the steering wheel will sit closer to the windshield. Will the column slide down through this opening? I'd like to know before I start ripping apart the steering...thanks.
     
    Dana, Jan 26, 2008
    #1
  2. Jan 26, 2008
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    I did what you want to do, but i didnt cut it apart. I took the column out and broke the welds on the mount that holds the column to the dash. I then cut off the bottom lip of the column mount. I then enlarged the hole in the dash and pushed the tube in and up. I do not have the exact same hole in the firewall for my column since it was an add on, but i beleive it will work also for your stock setup. I then made a aluminum cover to hide the enlarged hole on the dash. Worked very nice for me. I get in and out with no problem and have all kinds of room. Only other issue is your will have to modify the shaft between the column and the gear box. I think the original shaft didnt have a slip. You could piece together and aftermarket shaft with parts from Flaming River. OR cut and weld the shaft together.
     
    DanStew, Jan 26, 2008
    #2
  3. Jan 26, 2008
    Bob75CJ

    Bob75CJ Member

    Southgate, Mi
    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2007
    Messages:
    206
    I did it too. Put a glass body on and shaft would not reach bos. Used a die grinder cut welds on sshaft housing pushed it in about 2" and retacked it. Used the same hole in floor that I cut with template from origanal tub and measurements from people here. Loosen clamp on firewall and cut welds on the mount on the dash and just push to where you want it. Still have the same angle on column.
     
    Bob75CJ, Jan 26, 2008
    #3
  4. Jan 26, 2008
    Dana

    Dana Think Pink

    Jamaica Beach, Texas
    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2006
    Messages:
    370
    The welds I'm die grinding off are the ones you'd see where it comes through the piece that is screwed into the dash? If those are broken and the firewall mount is loosened I can slide it downwards? The borgeson shaft is a direct telescoping replacement that can be cut down further if necessary. Thats the replacement I'm planning on using. Before shelling out for it I just wanted to check on how others did this before disabling the Jeep. I appreciate the descriptives...exactly what I need.
     
    Dana, Jan 26, 2008
    #4
  5. Jan 27, 2008
    Bob75CJ

    Bob75CJ Member

    Southgate, Mi
    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2007
    Messages:
    206
    you got it. The wleds on mine I could use a die grinder. You may have to use a Dremel. if you already have the shaft it shouldn't take long.Mine had two small tack welds on the back of the dash plate that held the tube. Prob 1 - 1.5 hrs.
     
    Bob75CJ, Jan 27, 2008
    #5
  6. Jan 27, 2008
    Dana

    Dana Think Pink

    Jamaica Beach, Texas
    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2006
    Messages:
    370
    Thank you- very much appreciated. I'll report back on the ease of the borgeson.
     
    Dana, Jan 27, 2008
    #6
  7. Jan 27, 2008
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    borgenson should be a snap. i have about half the setup, except they are flaming river componants. I need to get the ujoint now to mate to the gear box :(
     
    DanStew, Jan 27, 2008
    #7
  8. Jan 27, 2008
    Dana

    Dana Think Pink

    Jamaica Beach, Texas
    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2006
    Messages:
    370
    The flaming rriver says it required its column as well...didn't want to spend $610 for a steering shaft but they look pretty sweet. I couldn't have used it anyway, I think, since the main reason for this exercise is to get the steering wheel closer to the windshield. I don't know why it seems to stick out too far- its totally stock. The lower steering shaft coupler assy is $36 at 4wd.com, and the u-joint is listed, too.
     
    Dana, Jan 27, 2008
    #8
  9. Jan 27, 2008
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    4,585
    it sticks out farther because of the large bus steering wheel. if you alreayd changed it to the smaller grant wheel, it will be way out in front.
     
    DanStew, Jan 27, 2008
    #9
  10. Jan 28, 2008
    Dana

    Dana Think Pink

    Jamaica Beach, Texas
    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2006
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    370
    I did change to a Grant, lol. The bus wheel seemed too far out, too, and I'm not that tall! Ah well...the solution should be in a UPS box by now...
     
    Dana, Jan 28, 2008
    #10
  11. Jan 28, 2008
    cj5mike

    cj5mike New Member

    North Carolina
    Joined:
    May 15, 2007
    Messages:
    10
    I was considering shortening mine the same way, could you post some pics when it's finished.
     
    cj5mike, Jan 28, 2008
    #11
  12. Aug 6, 2010
    spud

    spud Nope..it's not finished!

    Augusta Co. Virginia
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2003
    Messages:
    311
    The search function does work. I found this post after 10 mins of reading. I'm gonna do this mod and get some pics posted for the masses.
     
    spud, Aug 6, 2010
    #12
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