Commando steering column

Will a commando steering column work with CJ7 steering box? Im doing a one off project on my CJ7 -Maybe yall will let me in the commando club when I am done, haha. Commando front end and dash install is my current project. Mock up


Heres a picture of the bubbafied dana 44


Notice that the angle for the driveshaft is way off






360 Engine donor

Here is the dash that will be going in the CJ. Its going to be streched 4 inches and feature the CJ gauges and wiper and ligh switches. I removed everything on it and now I need to get it sand blasted to get rid of the rust on the back.

 

Very Interesting! I guess it'll be a "frankenjeepster" ?

 

Depends on what Commando column your using. If Saginaw yes, if Ross maybe but it would take some work cause they use a rag joint right on the bottom of the shaft.
I guess I really shouldn't say yes the Saginaw will absolutely just bolt on and bolt up because we all know how Jeeps are right? So I'll say of the two, the Saginaw would be the most likely to work with the least amount of modifications 8).

 

Im guessing that the saginaw steering was in the bullnose commanods??

 

Yes, bullnose, also in 1971. I'd investigate using the later CJ column - It looks just like the Commando column (and the column in my J-10). The non-tilt CJ column should be easy to source.

 

I was just thinking the column in the GW would be a good option too .

 

GW?? is that abbreviation for grand wagoneer? got any photos of what your talking about?

 

Grand Wagoneer yes. I was supposing the GW that the donor engine is coming out of?

 

yeah Im looking into that. Would you mind measuring how tall your seat frames are? I think I need to move the steering column up further into the dash or else I may end up having the steering wheel in my knees.

 

Thought I'd bring this back to the top to let you know I haven't forgot about you, I will get some measurements .

 

Thanks buddy easy rider. Im thinking there is a big difference between the frames when compared to CJ7's. My only delimma however is that if I were to put commando seat frames into my command-J7 then Im worried I may not be able to see out of the windshield properly. I think I may need to fab a plate so that the steering column will mount where the speed goes in the commando dash. The downside to that is that I would need to isntall the speedo where the radio and speaker is and I kind of like it as it is. Total bummer right now! However I did see my first commando in person last week -Thats a cool ride yall, all I can do is build something that resembles one

 

Like this?

 

Yes, I think thats the route Im gonna have to go. So when are you gonna finish the other glove box?

 

Are there any tips you can give me if I deicde to go that route?

 

Got some measurements for the seat. From the floor to the top of the seat bracket is approximately 4 3/4" and from the floor to the top of the seat approx. 10 1/2". And just for the heck of it I measured from the floor to the bottom of the dash is 15" and from the floor to the top of the cut out for the steering column is 17". If for some reason the dash you have came out of a Jeepster that had Ross steering that last measurement would be 16 1/2".

 

Thanks so much PackRat, I sure do appreciate it!

 

I just parted out a '69 that had Saginaw steering it it. (I pulled it for my '71 with Ross)

Interesting that the dash is different hights for ross and saginaw.. wonder why? I s the steering column angle different for saginaw steering?

 

Yes they are. With Ross steering the box is mounted close up under the body.The hole where the column goes through the floor is slightly different too.

 

So this is a bit off topic, but how many iginition key variations were there for the commando, seems to me lik eonly a handful of different keys were made. Jump in your buddies and take off, haha.

 

Ok so on topic what were the size differances between the two dashes?