Forehead Slap
JeffP
Senior Jeeper
- Posts
- 536
- Media
- 27
- Thanks
- 1
- Location
- Peoria, AZ
- Vehicle(s)
- '75 CJ5, 304, T18, D20, D44s w/3.73 1974 CJ5, 304, 4 spd., Dana axles 3.73 gears. 1973 CJ5, 258 I6, T18, Dana 20, Dana axles 4.27 gears. 1972 CJ5, 304, 4 Spd, Dana 20, 4.27 gears. 1976 CJ5, 304, T150. 1976 CJ5, 304, T150, J20 w/4.10 gears. 69 CJ5 Hurricane 4 cyl, 4spd all original! ‘53/‘54 M38a1 100% original but also 100% apart! Low 3 digit Vin! One of the very first m38a1s!
I put a used aftermarket tilt column in one of my CJ5s and found it needed a turn signal switch. No big deal right? Summit had them for $20-$30 so I ordered one.
I even watched the newbie video of how to install it. Supposed to be the easiest ever... like 30 seconds worth.
Over the years I’ve done dozens and other than the dread leading up to actually doing it it’s no big deal.
I was told it was an “Ididit brand” and it looked similar to the photos online. Summit only has one switch for all models.
At the 7 hour mark, I removed the column from the Jeep to attack it on the bench. 3 hours later, as I reach for the last screw... it explodes! The top half flew across the shop & I didn’t bother looking for it.
I call Summit to order another and verify again, I have the right part. Yep, the rep couldn’t understand why I was having problems. Every reviewwas great as well.
I guess he could somehow see the tears in my eyes over the phone and offered to send a free replacement. I told him again, it was fine when I got it and that I somehow destroyed it. No problem, he sent one anyway.
This time, being clever, I buffed off the excess plastic around the edges so I didn’t fold it in half like a taco installing it. Then it went in like it should!
Victory!.... except that the switch lever and flasher knob don’t like up with the holes. WTH?
Back to the Internet.... somewhere deep in a dark crevasse I found a post where a guy cut new holes in his “Flaming River brand” column to make the less expensive “Ididit” brand switch fit!
So... I look up pics of Flaming River colums.... bingo! That explains the slight variations in mine!
I quietly go back to Summit... order the correct switch.
It fit perfect! Installed in less than a minute, a few minutes later the column was back in & I had both turn signals!
It took me over a week to admit I did something this stupid!
But I should at least get credit for wasting 10.5 hours putting a giant switch into a tiny column without throwing tools across the street. Looking back, I’m still in awe I made it fit.
I even watched the newbie video of how to install it. Supposed to be the easiest ever... like 30 seconds worth.
Over the years I’ve done dozens and other than the dread leading up to actually doing it it’s no big deal.
I was told it was an “Ididit brand” and it looked similar to the photos online. Summit only has one switch for all models.
At the 7 hour mark, I removed the column from the Jeep to attack it on the bench. 3 hours later, as I reach for the last screw... it explodes! The top half flew across the shop & I didn’t bother looking for it.
I call Summit to order another and verify again, I have the right part. Yep, the rep couldn’t understand why I was having problems. Every reviewwas great as well.
I guess he could somehow see the tears in my eyes over the phone and offered to send a free replacement. I told him again, it was fine when I got it and that I somehow destroyed it. No problem, he sent one anyway.
This time, being clever, I buffed off the excess plastic around the edges so I didn’t fold it in half like a taco installing it. Then it went in like it should!
Victory!.... except that the switch lever and flasher knob don’t like up with the holes. WTH?
Back to the Internet.... somewhere deep in a dark crevasse I found a post where a guy cut new holes in his “Flaming River brand” column to make the less expensive “Ididit” brand switch fit!
So... I look up pics of Flaming River colums.... bingo! That explains the slight variations in mine!
I quietly go back to Summit... order the correct switch.
It fit perfect! Installed in less than a minute, a few minutes later the column was back in & I had both turn signals!
It took me over a week to admit I did something this stupid!
But I should at least get credit for wasting 10.5 hours putting a giant switch into a tiny column without throwing tools across the street. Looking back, I’m still in awe I made it fit.
