Suggestions please for tilt steering column

Hello,

I would like to install a tilt steering column into my '73 CJ5.

Could anyone give me some suggestions for what would be a good source this?

Thanks much,
-mh.

 

Yea, I had searched and found that thread.
All it has to suggest is a 1977 jeep (and I've called all the salvage yards in our town and found no late models with a steering column available.

And it suggested a GM steering column. I thought that was a rather broad choice and I was hoping that someone might be able to help narrow down the search criteria for me a little bit.

Maybe any gm column would work, I'm a bit new at this. The only thing that I can think of when stopping in at the salvage yard with the information that I have so far is to ask for a gm column with a manual transmission.

This seems like a dumb question but, are all steering columns the same length? I wouldn't think so. Or can I just get a GM column and then do I have to modify it to the right lenghth? I'd prefer not to if I don't have to.

Thanks for the help.
-mh.

 

Nope they aren't all the same length. When we built my Jeep, dad insisted on putting tilt in for ease of entry and exit. We used a Buick Skylark column. Now, it's short, probably too short, really. However, it does work and probably would work better if I lowered my seats some. But that would put me closer to the wheel. Anyway, yes they differ in length. I would think a column from a truck would work best, but I'm just thinking out loud here.

High5

 

Iv'e been looking for months and have found there is no "bolt on" solution. Consider using your original column. The guys on this forum are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. If you have to have tilt look at 80's Chevy S10 manual columns, 76-mid 80's CJ, 87-95 YJ and 84-96 XJ. From what Iv'e researched these columns will still need to be fabed and will require changing out your pedals. If your like me and don't have the equipment or expertease you might want to check out a good 4x4 shop or mechanic. Good Luck

 

mikes360,

I'm in the same boat! I want a tilt so bad I can taste it. I have my 75 stripped down for tub work and thought this will be the best time to change out the column! What I plan on doing is buying the 30 inch tilt column from flaming river( bout 300 bucks!). The original tube on mine is 1 1/2" in diameter. The Flaming river is 2" in diameter. I think that with a die grinder and a little time I can round out the original mount to 2" and make it work.
The main reason I want to swap out is steering wheel location(too high), and the second reason is no one makes the lower bearing any more. Mine has disappeared! Although a jeep supplier I used told me he had someone make him a bushing out of wood and that's what he used!!!
And last of all the flaming river is aluminum and looks cool!!!!!


Lee

 

about and I say about three different lengths at one time for most gm columns. Trucks use longest at around 35" the mid one IIRC is 30" -32" and the one from front wheel drive vehicles is around 27" - 28". The middle one is used in everything from Firebird/Camaro to Cutlass/Malibu also in Jeeps CJ from 76 on to Wagoneer FSJs don't know about Cheerokee/Wagoneer/Commanchee seems I measured once and they were the same. All use gm style pin setup for blinkers and flasher etc. HTH

 

GM columns from the 80's.... 70's.... I think the last one I used was from a NOVA. Find one that is a tad too long. They shorten very easy. They are made to collapse in a crash. Block of wood and a hammer.... Guess I shouldn't recomend it as it may not be safe. But that is how I have done it since the 70's. I now have an 80 something S-10 column sitting on my bench to go into black jeep.


The differance on this column is it uses the double D connector. No biggie, just have to get a steering rod that matches. Also going to use an S-10 piece for that.

I am also a fan of swapping to the later pedal assembly at the same time. Makes mounting the column significantly easier.



some of the GM column bottom mounts will work. I don't recall off hand which ones. I made my own lower mount and still have some fiberglass work to do.



To wire the signals and horn I just took a wire diagram from the early jeep and a wire diagram from a later jeep and matched it all up. I used the later connector and included the fuse box. As the early jeeps don't gots....



To finish it off I took the early mount and cut it in half to open the hole and get it over the column as a trim piece. I still have the upper piece to install in this picture. Overall I think it came out as a very clean install.



The flaming river pieces are really nice. Makes the swap a bolt in. But you pay a lot for their parts. I couldn't afford that. I am trying to keep my jeep as low buck as possible.

 

Centech Wiring https://www.centechwire.com/catalog/index.html
Part # CJ-414 2001 price---$234.95