74 steering

Hello all:
Have a 74,,, thinking of cutting an inch off the top of the steering column. I have to fabricate a new nylon bushing at the base any way so i figure to correct the end play there. My question is do you think this will change the angle of the intermediate shaft to much.
I figure on putting in one of the Borgeson heavy duty Intermediate shafts.

Dave

 

Hum you shall see if the new shaft have moving part....Oem one are two shaft that move just like spline on the drive shaft. If You have enought travel it's not a big deal. Maybe you will have problem with the shock tower because the steering shaft is not far from it.

 

So your plan is to cut the top of the tube shorter and push the shaft further down? I have the Borgeson shaft. It almost interferes with the shock mount as is (scrapes paint off of the shaft in flex), but I think it won't get any worse with the shorter column. I have Mike R's bottom bushing (mcruff); you could ask him to make a thicker collar for the bottom of the Borgeson shaft - the collar they give you is simply a 1/2" thick washer.

The other issue is that your overall length for the Borgeson shaft will be about 1" shorter. The Borgeson shaft has a slip joint in the middle, and I think you can slide that enough to accommodate. If not, the Borgeson shaft looks like it would be easy to shorten.

If I wanted the lower wheel position, I would take the tube loose from the dash bracket and move it down. This would retain the overall length of the column, and avoid issues at the top of the column with the horn wiper window. Plus you would not need the bigger collar to replace the one that comes with the Borgeson shaft.

I presume you will replace the bus wheel? A lower position of the wheel does not leave a lot of room for your legs between the bus wheel and the seat (JMO - I like the bus wheel).

 

Look cool but offroading i'm not sure it's the best on!!!

M2c

 

Depending on what you're doing it can be better. More leverage and control of the steering. Just can't turn as quickly.

 

wouldnt trade my bus wheel for anything,easy to turn and fits the hand nicely. you say tomato i say tomatoe its all opinion.

 

Thank you all for the input. I have ordered and obtained a new stock bus wheel. I know I like that better because of the leverage issue. Tim you bring a valid point that lowering the column reduces the leg clearance. I also did some more measuring and notice the column comes down inline with the frame. and the intermediate shaft barely clears the frame in the stock configuration. I don't know ,,, I may have to get a new main shaft fabricated or shorten and couple this one.

Still trying to figure this one out.

THX
Dave

 

Let me get a couple of pics of my Borgeson installation for you, maybe tomorrow morning. As I recall, if you scooted the tube further down, so the wheel is a little closer to the dash, the closest point of the shaft would move down and parallel to the frame. The distance would get no closer or further.

 

I just took 3/4 inch off the top of mine. No issues. Cut the bottom of the steering shaft the same amount. I also have a Borgeson intermediate shaft.

If you take much more than 3/4 you may run into problems with the signal ground. BTW I have a grant steering wheel. Overall no knee issues and I like it a little lower. Doug

 

Thank you guys:
The burgeon shaft came today and I scienced it out. The borgeson joint assembly is shorter than the stock one as Tim said. the end of the steering shaft interfers with the full swing of the u joints and still has another 3/4" of spline left, thus why it comes with the thick spacer. I looks like I will be able to cut a 1/2" to 1 inch off the top of the tube(as Doug says) and fabricate the new bushing to fit properly at the bottom. I believe I can cut the bottom of the shaft at the groove where the existing stay groove is. The Borgenson knuckle will fit up snug to the washer and I figure I can then index and drill an inset for the set screw in the Shaft for the knuckle. It measures out that the pivot point of the upper knuckle will not change therefore keeping the correct angle to the box.
YA YA Thats The Ticket
I THINK
What U guys thin about this

Dave

 

I think that will work, but I also think it does not matter if the angle to the lower shaft changes a little. As long as the shaft does not interfere with the frame, you should be ok.

So, I won't post any pictures of my setup... since you have the Bourgeson shaft now. Mine is just the conventional installation as a replacement for the original shaft with the bell coupler.

 

Roger That Tim
I will try and take pictures to document this process and post them.....If it works

THX
Dave

 

Here is a picture of the lower steering column showing the borgeson shaft. The 7/8" collar at the bottom holds the shaft down in the tube. Doug

 

Thx for the pics. I finished the project. As promised I took pictures of each step so that it was documented. But being the puts that I am,,,, there was no memory card in the camera. So you guys will have to settle for the finished produt. I am happy with the outcome. I previously had a Grant wheel that added an inch,,, went back to the stock wheel then cute 1 inch off the top of the tube and lost a total of 2 inches. She steers good and is comfortable hand position.
Thx all for the input

Dave

 

hate to drag up old topics... but it just means I searched before typing...

went to install the Borgeson shaft on my CJ6 yesterday and I am getting interference with the shock mount to the point where the shaft can not be installed..

I can prob make due with lopping some of the shock mount off, I just wanted to see if people have run into this before.

 

My shock mount is butchered for the stock shaft.

 

Can you snap a pic if you are able... Don't like reinventing the wheel..