New Steering Column

I have a '71 cj5 with saginaw manual conversion. What length hot rod tilt column do I order?

 

No clue. Maybe one of the other guys is comfortable giving you a part number to order.

I'd break out a tape measure, and figure out how long I needed it to be, for my preferred driving position and proper mounting.

 

I prefer using a column from a ‘72-‘75 intermediate Jeep. They already have the spline end just in the engine bay, and have the “horse collar” dash mount that raises the column to a near perfect angle for plenty of room. You can use the stock “bus wheel” or a smaller aftermarket steering wheel. You can use all stock Jeep parts from the wheel to the steering box, just shortening the slip section past the engine for the 3” shorter chassis.
I try not to re-invent the wheel.
-Donny

 

Each conversion will be different depending on how things have been placed and how the vehicle is equipped. As was said break out the tape measure and see what your conversion requires.

 

As above. Typically, I mount the box first with an eye toward getting the drag link geometry correct, then mockup with dowels checking for obstructions, angles (your steering u joints have limitations) then settle on column length. Depending on your engine, mounts, need or not need for support bearings, crossmember tunneling are all factors. There is a lengthy ps conversion thread with pictures in the tech section.

 

I used a 30" Flaming River column in my 3B and suspect you will need something similar. The previous column in that Willys was a 28" Subaru column with a deep dished steering wheel that ended up about the same overall length. As others have posted, you need to mock everything up to see what will work for your specific Jeep. I would also go with a tilt column. If nothing else, it makes it easier to get in and out.

 

Thanks for the input. I was using original column with round/DD u joint. Having T/S and 4 way problems, thought new column could make things better.

 

I mean, I'm using the unmodified column out of like an '89 XJ in mine. It does what I want quite well, even if I don't need/use the things like the wiper controls on the wonderstalk.

 

I just put a flaming river tilt column in mine and i used a 32".

 

I used a 30”
FLA-FR20001BK

 

In my '71 I used a 30" and had I to do over again I would have used the 28". It all depends on how it is set up and what is most comfortable for you.

 

I'm with the others here on the length.I used a Flaming river tilt @30" .With a almost flat wheel it worked for me. A 28" with a wheel with some dish may give the same result. The flatter dish wheels seem to be a little harder find. I used a Grant with the diameter that felt good to me..The less stick-out past firewall will be helpful for clearance of exhaust and motor mount.

 

I'm replacing a 30" GM? column that was connected to a Sagniaw PS. My U-joint is 3/4 DD to spline on the column. I need to count and measure the spline. Am I better off looking for a coulmn that matches the spline of the existing column or replacing the U-joint with one that matches the output shaft of the new steering column. I have briefly searched the web and don't see anything about one type of connection being better than another.

Everything was working but the column was ugly and didn't have working turn signals or horn button.

Thanks.

 

Ok. I have found a few options on summit racing. I would like to keep a steering wheel that has the look of the original 3 spike but I can’t fine an adapter to join a new column to a jeep SW. has anyone done this? I have power steering, so 17” SW isn’t critical, but I like the look.