Aftermarket steering column?
Aftermarket steering column?
- Thread starter pomerom
- Start date
mylittlecj5
RIP Mike, we'll all miss you
If I'm not mistaken, most of the components in the stock Jeep steering column are Chevy parts. You may be able to find a column out of a chevy that will work for ya. IT would be a lot cheaper than a IDIDIT column (unless you are building a show piece).
KenB
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- Kenefick, TX
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- 81 CJ7, 258 I6, D30, D300, D20, TF6 Auto, 95 YJ Rio Grande, 2.5L, AX5, 02 Dodge 2500 Diesel, 09 Prius (hers)
I just threw some serious $$ into boosting the economy for an aftermarket steering column for my 81 CJ7 (Tilt, Auto, column mount). I considered the junk yard route, but opted for new, mainly because I couldn't be sure what the condition would be, and secondly, my Limited fab skills if modifications were needed. That said, this has been a somewhat frustrating job. It's a Flaming River column bought through 4WD. The column itself seems to be very good quality, but there are some rocks in the road, mainly involving the extra components. First, you have to buy a new steering shaft, since they have their own coupling which won't match anything else. Per their ad/description, a Plug Adapter is needed if you want column ignition - not the case if you had it on the old column and have a standard GM type connector. The firewall floor cover they supply (extra cost) is nowhere close for this application. Between FR and 4WD, the column dash mount (another extra cost) shipped was for the wrong column. They did accept a return for the wrong/not needed parts, but it's another week to get the right dash mount. And the broken shift indicator (which is a kind of cheesy glue on thing) is still in the works for replacement. Oh yeah, it also doesn't come with the bushing/grommet to connect the shift lever to the linkage. Per the FR tech "guru", that comes with the linkage, not the column. His solution - you'll have to make one. Thanks to my local NAPA guy, turns out it's a $1.20 standard GM part.
He's the same guru who had no clue as to the wiring needed to change from the tranny mount NSS to the column mount NSS.
Rant about complete. I'll just say that FR's manufacturing is good quality, but their Technical Dept/Customer Service is way down the scale.
He's the same guru who had no clue as to the wiring needed to change from the tranny mount NSS to the column mount NSS.
Rant about complete. I'll just say that FR's manufacturing is good quality, but their Technical Dept/Customer Service is way down the scale.
fire3096
Jeeper
try Steering Columns Galore's Steering Column Home Page. they are a bit pricy but you get a factory column that will work. They may be cheaper than a FR brand do to the above post. That is alot of xtra stuff to get to make it work?
KenB
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- Location
- Kenefick, TX
- Vehicle(s)
- 81 CJ7, 258 I6, D30, D300, D20, TF6 Auto, 95 YJ Rio Grande, 2.5L, AX5, 02 Dodge 2500 Diesel, 09 Prius (hers)
Too soon old, too late smart.
Didn't find that outfit when I was searching. That price, with the core charge rebate, is about half the FR column. Plus, I assume, you can use your existing steering shaft and column mounts, which saves a bundle.
Oh well, maybe it will be worth more at the estate sale some day.
I do have to say that the FR column and shaft are very good quality, and made the ole CJ handle like a new one.
Didn't find that outfit when I was searching. That price, with the core charge rebate, is about half the FR column. Plus, I assume, you can use your existing steering shaft and column mounts, which saves a bundle.
Oh well, maybe it will be worth more at the estate sale some day.
I do have to say that the FR column and shaft are very good quality, and made the ole CJ handle like a new one.
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