DJ column swap question

Last week, I pulled a '77 DJ5 steering column for the originality of my '61 and will need the steering linkage to connect to an XJ power steering box. As it is right now, they will not connect together. Will I need to have a custom part made or do you know of a way to connect the two? (I'm guessing the original poster won't have this trouble.)

 

Separated this post to get more hits, more likely to get the answer you need.

Not sure what you are asking. Did you remove the DJ-5 column from your Jeep or remove another column and installed a DJ-5 column?

If installed a DJ column you can add a shaft and u-joints to go from the column to the XJ box. Just have to have the right spline count/diameter of yokes.

 

do you need a dj5 steering shaft
I got like 4 of them actually got a whole dj5 grave yard in my yard lol

 

Sorry for the confusing post. I'll start from the beginning.

I have a '61 CJ6 with right hand drive steering. (an export jeep) I pulled the original steering column out when I stripped the tub for my rebuild. Because it was original, the steering column went to the steering box at the feet.

I have an XJ steering box from a right hand drive XJ that I plan on using. Obviously, that box will be at the front of the frame and not at the feet.

At the junkyard, I found a '77 DJ5 and pulled the steering column and linkage since it went to the front of the frame. I will be installing this column into my CJ6. As it is, it will not connect to the XJ steering box. Perhaps I need to go back and see I left the linkage on the manual steering box that will fit onto the XJ's box. Do you think it might?

That is my problem. I want to stick with the stock look of the steering column (if possible) and connect it to an XJ steering box at the front.

 

Ok, that clears things up.
I'd go back and see if the shaft is still at the wrecking yard as you may need that, if nothing else for the joint and for mock up purposes. You may need to modify the shaft depending on how you have everything mounted but at least it will give you a starting point. Each one of these conversions comes out just a little bit different so what you have to do may be different from what someone else has done.
I just something similar with the daughter's '70 and used a combination of parts. I'm not sure what the steering box was from but used a '75 and older DJ column and shaft. I used an upper joint from Summit Racing, Flaming River joint iirc, and a lower u-joint that was a pto unit that was splined to fit the box and weld on to the shaft.

 

I was in a hurry, and the only part I did not pull was the connecting part that attaches to the steering box of the DJ. Sorry, I'm not sure what it's named. All I did was unbolt the linkage from the box. I'll head back and see if I did miss a part. I'm hoping it'll connect to the XJ box, but doubt it.
I'll update this posting when I find out more.
Thanks!
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I have the whole set up from the bottom of the column to the box
I have tons of steering parts for the dj
if you don't find what your looking for snap a pict of where the missing part goes if you don't know name
let me know if I can help you out
I'm pretty sure the part you need is The fixed part welded to the shaft that connects shaft to box

 

If I come check out your jeep, I'll bring the parts and show you.

If it's a welded part, that will be harder to pull at the junkyard. Fortunately, I'm still quite early in my build and am not at that point yet.

 

It's called the steering intermediate shaft.

 

The lower part of the shaft is splined to the steering box with a pinch bolt and a rubber coupler commonly referred to as a "rag joint". Remove the pinch bolt and the coupler should slide off the splines of the input of the steering gear box. I've found they get tight on the splines or rusted in place. I use a chisel and hammer to gently spread the coupler where it is split and then use a pry bar or large screw driver to pry them off. Works pretty well most of the time.

 

Yep, thats the part that I don't have, the rag joint. Although, on the DJ, it was not really a joint...more of a mounting spot. The steering intermediate shaft that I removed had a flat end, which was bolted with 2 bolts to the steering box end. A definite trip to the junkyard will help.

Another option, though...I already have that XJ steering box, the XJ rag joint, and the XJ steering intermediate shaft. If there is a way to use the XJ steering intermediate shaft and connect it to the DJ steering column shaft, then that would work (in theory...if its the correct length).

 

On the intermediate shaft end there is a flange built into the shaft, then the two bolts you mention, the "rag joint" or rubber coupler which is a disc shape, then a flange that is also splined onto the input shaft of the steering gear box. You would need the "rag joint" and the splined/flanged piece that splines onto the gear box. This is the piece I was talking about that uses a pinch bolt and must be pried off the gear box splines. It may or may not fit your XJ box depending on spline count and diameter of the input shaft to the gear box vs. the coupler.

 

At the other end.....
The DJ column shaft connects to the steering intermediate shaft using a small cardan cross type of universal joint.
That universal is 36 spline.

When CJ-5 switched over to Saginaw in 1972 they began using the intermediate steering shaft.
This steering intermediate shaft changed to a similar design in 1976.
Both intermediate (1972 - 1975) and late (1976-1984) CJ's used a telescopic type of steering intermediate shaft.
The telescopic intermediate steering shaft is a safety feature that resticts column motion during a frontal impact to the Saginaw box.

 

Thanks, I may do that some point. I'd like to come and talk to you about other aspects of my build, as well.

 

Re: DJ column swap question

Not sure if it helps but I have a DJ column and a ford P/S box. Here is what I did: