Cutting A Column

For those of you who cut off a stock steering column and used it for a Saginaw steering swap, how did you attach the steering shaft universal joint, and what did you use for a lower bearing in the column?

 

In the original Advance adapters instructions there is a bronze bushing that comes with their kit that goes in the bottom of the column, the u joint should be slid on and set screwed to the shaft with lock tight. I think that advance even suggests welding the u joint in a couple places. I will see if I can find the old book. The preferrred method is to machine a set of flats or a key way on the shaft and set screw that.

 

I read AA's instructions (you can download it from their website) and it says not to weld the ujoint, as it may compromise the joint itself. But I'm not sure I'm comfortable with just a couple of set screws holding it together.

 

AA has been doing this for a long time. You don't stay in business by supplying bad and potentially dangerous instructions. I would think that if you follow their instructions and use their parts, you will be fine. Just my .02. I am not aware of any lawsuits involving their steering conversion kit.

 

I had to shorten my speedway steering column that is similar to stock without worm. It had 2 flats, double d?. I replicated the piece I cut off on my mill, but if you're careful a hacksaw and a grinder will yield the same result if you take your time. I used a Borgeson universal steering joint like this one https://www.summitracing.com/parts/brg-014949 to attach it.

 

Decades back when I was still using the stock column in my 3B, I just used a 4 bolt flange bearing (Browning) at the base. For the set screws, drill one hole through the column shaft and use a long set screw to bottom it on the opposite side-what Borgeson does on their u-joints.

 

Help. When I try to look at your photo bucket it tells me it is private. You have lots of good stuff there that would help me as I learn. What do I need to do. Thanks

 

Somehow the privacy setting was changed, try now, if not let me know. I have almost all my jeep pictures stored on my laptop.

 

I used a postal Jeep column, and the spline count was common, matched it with parts I had around. You can just order the proper spline U joint from Borgeson, or source one elsewhere easily.

 

If I could find one I would. Been looking for months. And don't tell me to try that guy in Alabama who sells postal Jeep parts...after the junk he sent me I won't be dealing with him again.

 

I don't know about that guy. I found mine in a local junkyard. I thought they were relatively common.

 

They USED to be...tough to find nowadays

This is actually for the Willys pickup. I posted the question in this section because I thought it would get more responses here. If it was up to me I'd use an aftermarket column and wheel but my son has his heart set on using the stock Willys steering wheel so....

 

I used the same ' Double D ' Borgeson that Chris posted along with a Borgeson GM style Rag Coupler from Summit. my bearing is a gimbal type with a custom frame mount. Here's a Pic showing the Borgeson's. I'll send you a pic of the bearing , if you would like.

 

Yes please

 

Lying on my back, looking up toward the Saginaw. The gimbal bearing is custom ? , mounted thru my left engine mount. Another two Borgeson's after the bearing.