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73 cj5 what tilt wheel is a good drop in?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Pitbull333, Feb 22, 2016.

  1. Feb 22, 2016
    Pitbull333

    Pitbull333 New Member

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    I have a 73 cj5 I need to install a tilt wheel that is a little shorter than this stock column. Which tilt column is a good drop in?
     
  2. Feb 22, 2016
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    My bud has a 73, he used one out of an old Camaro
     
  3. Feb 22, 2016
    Pitbull333

    Pitbull333 New Member

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    Early camaro?
     
  4. Feb 22, 2016
    zila

    zila I throw poop

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    Prolly, he loves em
     
  5. Feb 22, 2016
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    I really doubt any junkyard column will "drop in." You will have to modify the dash and floor, and figure out how to match the spines to the car column and whatever length of lower shaft you end up with. The automotive column will have the GM locking feature, which makes the overall column fat compared to the original Jeep column.It's been done plenty of times, but I beleive it's always with a lot of cut and fit.

    How about an XJ column? They are a standard GM column, are more likely to match existing Jeep parts, say "Jeep" on the wheel, and are quite plentiful in the yards.

    I'd expect the closest to "dropping in" would be an aftermarket column like Ididit or Flaming River. Won't be junkyard prices, but you can choose the length, and the diameter of the column will be more similar to the original Jeep column.

    Tilt Floor Shift + Aluminum
     
  6. Feb 22, 2016
    zila

    zila I throw poop

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    I don't know how he did it.. He also moved the key switch to the column.. He's an old hot rodder and always has some kinda build/restoration going on. It's been in his jeep ever since I can remember..
     
  7. Feb 22, 2016
    Pitbull333

    Pitbull333 New Member

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    Nice thank you!
     
  8. Feb 22, 2016
    zila

    zila I throw poop

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    I just talked to him and asked what kinda setup he used.. I thought he had told me Camaro, but he said it was from a Chevy truck. He used one with the colappsable column and forced it to the length he wanted. He said it was actually pretty easy..

    He also said his boy used one from a Jeep but doesn't know which one
     
  9. Feb 23, 2016
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

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    Later cj yj or Cherokee are all about the same length. Non will drop in without fab work as Tim said above.
     
  10. Jun 27, 2016
    Dennis Bratland

    Dennis Bratland New Member

    Seattle
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    My 74 CJ-5 had this done to it at some point in the past, with moderate success. I'm still trying to figure out how to make the steering wheel point straight, and figure out where they got the lower shaft and couplings from. The firewall and dash mounting is adequate, but it moves a bit, and I think it will need to be modded more before it can be called solid. I can post pictures of it if that would help, though without knowing more about it I'm not sure if it would.
     
  11. Jun 28, 2016
    nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    Newnan, Georgia
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    I used one out of a late 70's CJ5, there is firewall and dash mods that you'll have to make, and I was already re-wiring anyway so used the later ignition setup too.
     
  12. Jun 28, 2016
    dsrt4

    dsrt4 Member

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    Post them up...
     
  13. Jun 28, 2016
    SFaulken

    SFaulken Active Member

    Bellevue, WA
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    I used an XJ column in mine, works fine. I'm going to rework the upper mounting (at the dash) when I put a new dash and wiring in it, but even with how I've got it mounted right now, it's livable.
     
  14. Jun 28, 2016
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
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    I used a YJ column but had to fabricate a dash mount bracket for it. I used a u-bolt on the bottom bracket and the stock plate mounted the the firewall. I even had it wired so the turn signals, high beams and wipers worked from the stalk.
     
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  15. Jun 29, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Last build I used a column from a Yj. a cherokee is the same and they are both GM columns. They are not bolt in, but could be easy or difficult depending upon your abilities. As has been stated, you will beed to fab lower connections and brackets.

    The aftermarket tilt columns are more expensive and may be worth it since they have all kinds of support. I ended up getting rid of my tilt and went back to a solid column and like it more. It was a speedway generic one for 100 bucks. Came with quick detach steering wheel hub too. The drawback is no provision for horn on steering wheel and no locking ignition switch.

    It is kind of cool to be able to wire up turn signals and Hi/Low beam and maybe wipers too though..
     
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  16. Jul 1, 2016
    Dennis Bratland

    Dennis Bratland New Member

    Seattle
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    I put them in this album, 1974 CJ5 modded tilt steering column, at http://earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?media/albums/1974-cj5-modded-tilt-steering-column.96

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    This lower shaft doesn't allow me any choice in how I spline it up, top or bottom. Since the steering wheel only goes on one way, and the pitman arm only goes on one way, I can't straighten the steering wheel. I'm think maybe there's aftermarket shafts I could drop in here, but since I'm not certain about what the tilt column is, or whether it's mounted in the right place, I don't know if the length will be right, or if the splines will match.


    [​IMG]
    Two of the bolts removed here. I think they made these two L brackets and used the upper half of a normal bracket.

    A couple more photos in the album.
     
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