Shorten the steering column and smaller steering wheel.

[Workingdog]

I suppose this has been done many times before, but being a newbie I can't find any reference to it.
Being a decent sized bloke my 1960 CJ5 is a little tight getting in and out. I guess there may be a few guys who can relate to that .
Anyway, I intend to do some minor modifications to the drivers side rear fender. Move the seat back a bit and get some more leg room.
But, I wondered if anyone could help with some thoughts on shortening the steering column...or...is there somewhere I can buy a steering wheel that will look the same as the original but be smaller in diameter?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[Turbogus]

I too, had a few issues getting in/out of 'Black Betty' I went with a small Grant steering wheel and since the steering column was going gunney sack anyway I bought a rebuilt GM column (shorter) on EBay, trouble was it took two times with shipping delay owing to a bad rebuild. If you go the same route see if you can find a shorter column locally.

 

[IOPort51]

It wont look the same but I replaced my 77 wheel and column with a small Cherokee tilt. kind of cool to swing out of the way and then out it at the most comfortable position. PITA to have to remember to tilt back up to get out.

For me it was plug and play but for you , not so much.

 

[tarry99]

Workingdog,

Common Problem, Are you still using the old Ross Steering in that 1960? That old column can be shortened by a qualified person. Not easy but can be done.
I just took the old 17" bus steering wheel out (loved it but either my gut or it had to go).
I'm reworking an aftermarket no frills tilt column right now using a 15" Grant Steering wheel. With the tilt function and the 15" wheel no modification to the rear wheel wells is needed although my seat is right up against the fender.
There are no original Jeep wheels that are smaller than the 17" wheel. You could get creative with some machine work and adapt an aftermarket wheel to your old column.
Hope that helps.

 

[Workingdog]

Workingdog,

Common Problem, Are you still using the old Ross Steering in that 1960? That old column can be shortened by a qualified person. Not easy but can be done.
I just took the old 17" bus steering wheel out (loved it but either my gut or it had to go).
I'm reworking an aftermarket no frills tilt column right now using a 15" Grant Steering wheel. With the tilt function and the 15" wheel no modification to the rear wheel wells is needed although my seat is right up against the fender.
There are no original Jeep wheels that are smaller than the 17" wheel. You could get creative with some machine work and adapt an aftermarket wheel to your old column.
Hope that helps.

Thanks guys for the responses.
Turbogus…Tell me more about this. Did you have to replace the steering box and the whole nine yards? Or did you attach the steering column to the original steering box? My old girl is original with the Hurricane motor, so going power steering is not an option.

IOPort51…Much the same questions as above. Do you know what model Cherokee?

Tarry99…Yes mate, I’m still using the old Ross Steering. It works fine. No need to really replace it if I don’t have to do so. I’d like to keep her looking for all intents and purposes, as original as I can. That’s why I thought that I may be able to cut and shut the steering column to move it closer to the dash. Then replace the steering wheel with one that looked exactly the same, but was much smaller in diameter.
As you rightly point out…I may not have to modify the rear fender and that appeals to me.
What are your thoughts on that idea?

 

[Workingdog]

It wont look the same but I replaced my 77 wheel and column with a small Cherokee tilt. kind of cool to swing out of the way and then out it at the most comfortable position. PITA to have to remember to tilt back up to get out.

For me it was plug and play but for you , not so much.

Thanks guys for the responses.
Turbogus…Tell me more about this. Did you have to replace the steering box and the whole nine yards? Or did you attach the steering column to the original steering box? My old girl is original with the Hurricane motor, so going power steering is not an option.

IOPort51…Much the same questions as above. Do you know what model Cherokee?

Tarry99…Yes mate, I’m still using the old Ross Steering. It works fine. No need to really replace it if I don’t have to do so. I’d like to keep her looking for all intents and purposes, as original as I can. That’s why I thought that I may be able to cut and shut the steering column to move it closer to the dash. Then replace the steering wheel with one that looked exactly the same, but was much smaller in diameter.
As you rightly point out…I may not have to modify the rear fender and that appeals to me.
What are your thoughts on that idea?

 

[Workingdog]

I too, had a few issues getting in/out of 'Black Betty' I went with a small Grant steering wheel and since the steering column was going gunney sack anyway I bought a rebuilt GM column (shorter) on EBay, trouble was it took two times with shipping delay owing to a bad rebuild. If you go the same route see if you can find a shorter column locally.

Thanks guys for the responses.
Turbogus…Tell me more about this. Did you have to replace the steering box and the whole nine yards? Or did you attach the steering column to the original steering box? My old girl is original with the Hurricane motor, so going power steering is not an option.

IOPort51…Much the same questions as above. Do you know what model Cherokee?

Tarry99…Yes mate, I’m still using the old Ross Steering. It works fine. No need to really replace it if I don’t have to do so. I’d like to keep her looking for all intents and purposes, as original as I can. That’s why I thought that I may be able to cut and shut the steering column to move it closer to the dash. Then replace the steering wheel with one that looked exactly the same, but was much smaller in diameter.
As you rightly point out…I may not have to modify the rear fender and that appeals to me.
What are your thoughts on that idea?

 

[IOPort51]

I believe the column came out of a 97 Cherokee. Basically a GM column.
I pulled it at a pick your part grave yard, it still had a key in it. There were a few benefits to our Cash For Clunkers Program.

For me I got wipers and light control on the column, tilt and a padded wheel with Jeep printed on it.

 

[Workingdog]

I believe the column came out of a 97 Cherokee. Basically a GM column.
I pulled it at a pick your part grave yard, it still had a key in it. There were a few benefits to our Cash For Clunkers Program.

For me I got wipers and light control on the column, tilt and a padded wheel with Jeep printed on it.

IO, thanks so much for the photo. Did your original steering system come through the dash as in your image? Or did you have to modify it?
And did the column just join onto the original shaft somehow or did you have to completely change over the steering box, column etc., etc?

 

[IOPort51]

OK, it took some doing and some surfing but I found it.

this was posted by Darren Flint @rush power systems a while back. It was a great help to me when I did mine.

Jeep CJ Steering Column Swap

thanks again Darren

 

[IOPort51]

I cut the end from the shafts that go from the column to the steering box near the top on both shafts and swapped the ends and welded the new on the old. I think I had to make it about an inch shorter or longer. Your biggest problem will be hanging it from the dash and supporting it at the fire wall. I heard some one suggest a muffler clamp to mount it to the fire wall .

can we see some pictures of what you have now??

IO, thanks so much for the photo. Did your original steering system come through the dash as in your image? Or did you have to modify it?
And did the column just join onto the original shaft somehow or did you have to completely change over the steering box, column etc., etc?

 

[Workingdog]

Thanks IO for all your help.
I'm going out to the shed to take a photo or two.

 

[IOPort51]

you do that and I will take a few of mine, now that it is finished.

 

[Workingdog]

IO, here are some photos to help you see my end.

 

[tarry99]

Workingdog,

Dealing with the old ross steering box is the first problem in trying to shorten that shaft. The end at the gear box has a worm gear attached and the end at the steering wheel has a spline.
You could shorten the shaft and either have it re-splined or if you felt comfortable you could shorten it and sleeve it and pin and weld it. The outside of the column housing is just a piece of tube and can be shortened, there is a very primitive open roller bearing at the top of the column that you will have to deal with also.
As far as the steering wheel I looked long and hard and never found an "Original Looking " Wheel that was under 17" diameter. Not to say that if you looked in some farm catalogs you might find something, but being lucky enough to find the correct spline might be tough.
As I mentioned I am changing over my column, not by choice but just wanting to solve that no room issue. I am modifying an aftermarket no frills tilt column in Black that looks close to stock w/ a 15" Grant wheel and I have no problem with room now but I am not using the old ross steering as I changed mine over to Saginaw power. I think that a person could do the same with the old ross steering box column , but it would be a lot of work and you would still loose the original look. Hope that helps!

 

[Workingdog]

Thanks tarry99. Many words of wisdom there and I appreciate it.
I've taken some photos that both you and IO can see, but being new to this forum I can't seem to get them to upload??
I'll try again.

 

[IOPort51]

Boy! that does make for an interesting bit of engineering!

I can see it happening but I don't see it maintaining the classic look. You would have to do a really slick job to make it look as good as the rest of the jeep appears to be.

Thanks tarry99. Many words of wisdom there and I appreciate it.
I've taken some photos that both you and IO can see, but being new to this forum I can't seem to get them to upload??
I'll try again.

 

[IOPort51]

right and left views



engine side and inside the fire wall



this is the Cherokee firewall mount cut off with die grinder and cutting wheel, outside firewall shot shows where it was.



Cherokee u joint welded to end of CJ shaft. look closely at left end to see splice weld.


Let me know if there is anything else I can do.

I can't wait to see how this turns out.


Did I mention ,:ww:from the Republic of Texas.

and we need a whole lot more pictures of your "collection"

 

[Workingdog]

Thanks IO. The way I'm thinking now is that I'll move the seat back by making new panels for the rear fender...(I make panels a bit)...and see what difference it makes.
By doing that little modification I can hide it and any (ordinary) person won't know.
Thanks mate...all of you have been a great help. I've learned a bit.

 

[Workingdog]

right and left views



engine side and inside the fire wall



this is the Cherokee firewall mount cut off with die grinder and cutting wheel, outside firewall shot shows where it was.



Cherokee u joint welded to end of CJ shaft. look closely at left end to see splice weld.


Let me know if there is anything else I can do.

I can't wait to see how this turns out.


Did I mention ,:ww:from the Republic of Texas.

and we need a whole lot more pictures of your "collection"

Great job IO. It looks good mate.
When I've got time I'll take some shots of the rest of the Jeeps and by the way, thanks for the welcome. I appreciate it!