tilt wheel in 77 CJ5 project

[IOPort51]

This was the first Saturday it didn't rain/snow/freeze or something so I went to the pull your part looking for a new steering column. And I found one in a 92 Cherokee with a auto floor shift and no cruse. This looks like a walk in the park to mount, the only problems I have encountered so far is the difference in the shaft clamp and the little pin that will not let you remove the key if it is not in park. I don't see these as being any real obstacle.
I put it in for a test fit and took a few pictures, It really isn't that purple, I am hoping I can paint the plastic with something to make it a bit more presentable than blue. And the really amazingly amazing thing about this column from a pull your part junk yard was that it had a key in it!! What are the odds?? I may have to find another wheel, it looks like someone already took a bite out of this one.


that was going to cost me some major bucks to have the switch picked and replaced. now it's not a problem, I guess this is one of the temporary perks to the cash for clunker program.

[Sasquach]

IO I am color challanged for sure but even I can see clash there .
I used a 2 part epoxy paint on my Jeeps body and made tests on dif. materials like plastic and such and it stuck to everything and had good flex too.

[IOPort51]

I think the quartz halogen work light may have something to do with the color in the picture but I will check out the epoxy paint, I think black will look a lot better unless I can find a red wheel.
A couple of shots of the new and improved steering shaft. I put a 4 inch section of the unused male shaft in the splice to keep it aligned and add a bit of rigidity beveled the joint and TIG welded the sections together to make a new shaft the same length as the original CJ shaft with the end clamp from the Cherokee.
I was mistaken about one thing, the steering column from the CJ and the Cherokee are the same length.

Originally Posted by Sasquach IO I am color challanged for sure but even I can see clash there . I used a 2 part epoxy paint on my Jeeps body and made tests on dif. materials like plastic and such and it stuck to everything and had good flex too.

[essexmo]

there are vinyl paints you can buy to change the color I would think the steering wheel would be leather though so that may require a dye the trick is getting it totally clean first then painting it

[IOPort51]

The new tilt wheel is in the CJ, much thanks to Rush power systems for blazing the trail. I do have to sort out the windshield wipers and washer but I don’t think this will be a problem, it is really cool to have the high beam switch on the column.
Now for the only issue I have with my project and the topic I would like some opinions on.
The steering shaft, not the column but the shaft with a u joint on both ends that connects the column to the steering actuator, had to be modified. I don’t think I have taken any liberties with safety or the system integrity in any way but for some reason I had really wanted to do this without cutting and welding. Specifically, I cut the top u joint from the XJ shaft and welded it on to the CJ shaft after cutting the top of the CJ shaft off. There was no way the CJ u joint was ever going to fit the XJ column.
The XJ also had an arrangement that allowed a lot of play in the shaft, about 5 degrees I would guess, which was totally not going to happen. So I welded this also. I now have the slider for the extension of the shaft but axially it is totally ridged.
Now, the question, Is there something wrong with modifying the steering system in such a way, morally, mechanically, aesthetically, legally?

[Old Dog]

You didn't really do that did you.
No really I don't see where it would hurt anything, but I would want mine to be able to slide for flex in the frame.
Legally, I don't know. Maybe, depends on how good the lawyer is.