Splined column swap out to DD need aftermarket brands and prices please

[76cj7chick]

I am looking to replace my CJ7 stock non-tilt floor shifter column with an aftermarket gm style column with tilt, shifter on the column and a 1" DD shaft.

My question is which company makes a good ujoint that can work on my stock steering shaft???

OR, that makes a complete lower shaft with the saginaw power splined end and a 1" DD shaft for the aftermarket column???

I've included pictures. Please let me know if you understand my questions and if someone makes the required shaft joint combo.

Also, can I just cut off the splined ujoint on my stock shaft and replace it with a 1" DD Ujoint to fit the aftermarket column on?

HAVE: CJ7 stock non-tilt splined steering column
REPLACE: Aftermarket GM style column with tilt, shifter on column and 1" DD.

 

[IOPort51]

Flaming river.

 

[76cj7chick]

Flaming river.

Thanks.... Do you happen to have a part number?


I've also read that borgenson may have the specific shaft.. but hope to get the part numbers and to hear from people who have purchased or used their parts.
Thanks

 

[IOPort51]

I used the column from a 97 Cherokee and cut and welded the new and old shafts to make things work. The bottom u joint is a question of measuring the DD diameter and the spline count on the steering actuator. The joint was about $75. Stainless steel and very well made. Be careful counting splines. Do you have power steering? the spline count on the power is different from the power.

 

[IOPort51]

One other thought, brain fart, watch for conflict with ignition switch on the bottom of the column and the brake peddle.

 

[76cj7chick]

I used the column from a 97 Cherokee and cut and welded the new and old shafts to make things work. The bottom u joint is a question of measuring the DD diameter and the spline count on the steering actuator. The joint was about $75. Stainless steel and very well made. Be careful counting splines. Do you have power steering? the spline count on the power is different from the power.

Nice work IOPort5!

Only tried welding twice in my life, so don't think that would be a feasible idea for me a the moment but thanks for the ideas and pictures!

 

[76cj7chick]

I ended up purchasing an aftermarket column.
I didn't buy from big companies because I just don't have that amount of money laying around.

But the column looks decently made. There's only a couple issues. I don't see any mounting brackets on it. So I will probably need an aftermarket bracket....
And also I don't know how to install my steering wheel on to the column may need a special adapter they did include a nine bolt adapter with it but not going to work on my CJ7 steering wheel.

Don't mind getting another steering wheel that will fit the adapter but I'm hoping to find whichever way is going to cost the least since funds are tight.

To my questions are:
How would I mount this in the vehicle?

And then how do I install my steering wheel on it or would I need to go with aftermarket steering wheel? ----( I searched online for the 9 bolt or 9 hole steering wheel and there like a hundred dollars and that would include horn button.)

I also did some search on installing my CJ7 steering wheel on it, and if I am correct, then the adapter for my wheel is around $30... But I'm not sure if I'm correct in that thought.

(The second picture is the column with the adapter. The third picture is the column without the adapter.)

Thanks for the guidance guys.

 

[mriplaybass]

I ended up purchasing an aftermarket column.
I didn't buy from big companies because I just don't have that amount of money laying around.

But the column looks decently made. There's only a couple issues. I don't see any mounting brackets on it. So I will probably need an aftermarket bracket....
And also I don't know how to install my steering wheel on to the column may need a special adapter they did include a nine bolt adapter with it but not going to work on my CJ7 steering wheel.

Don't mind getting another steering wheel that will fit the adapter but I'm hoping to find whichever way is going to cost the least since funds are tight.

To my questions are:
How would I mount this in the vehicle?

And then how do I install my steering wheel on it or would I need to go with aftermarket steering wheel? ----( I searched online for the 9 bolt or 9 hole steering wheel and there like a hundred dollars and that would include horn button.)

I also did some search on installing my CJ7 steering wheel on it, and if I am correct, then the adapter for my wheel is around $30... But I'm not sure if I'm correct in that thought.

(The second picture is the column with the adapter. The third picture is the column without the adapter.)

Thanks for the guidance guys.

Your steering wheel looks similar to the one on our 79 CJ7 . I assume it is held on by 3 bolts? Check this out.
Jeep CJ5 CJ6 CJ7 Cherokee Wrangler Wagoneer Commanche Steering Wheel Adapter | eBay

As for the 1" DD universal, eBay again.
Brand New Universal Stainless Steel U Joint 1" DD x 1" DD | eBay
I have used the steering wheel adapter on our 79, and the U joint on our 59 CJ5 using a 97 Cherokee steering column.

 

[76cj7chick]

Tried to install the column. As I feared the top part doesn't fit well. Too much room. I have an extra cj column shell and wonder if I can use parts off it for the aftermarket column so that it will screw down on the bracket.

Any suggestions?

Would anyone know if there is an aftermarket bracket for the upper end.

The lower end fits perfectly. Thanks for your help. Hope to hear from you all!!!!

 

[76cj7chick]

One other thought, brain fart, watch for conflict with ignition switch on the bottom of the column and the brake peddle.

Looks like the column fits without hitting in to anything.

Only issue is that there is a lot of space between the upper bracket and column. Would you know of an aftermarket bracket that will fit the column tight but nicely against my bracket mount?

Oh smack.. some of the photos are upside down.

 

[76cj7chick]

Your steering wheel looks similar to the one on our 79 CJ7 . I assume it is held on by 3 bolts? Check this out.
Jeep CJ5 CJ6 CJ7 Cherokee Wrangler Wagoneer Commanche Steering Wheel Adapter | eBay

As for the 1" DD universal, eBay again.
Brand New Universal Stainless Steel U Joint 1" DD x 1" DD | eBay
I have used the steering wheel adapter on our 79, and the U joint on our 59 CJ5 using a 97 Cherokee steering column.

Not sure if the steering wheel adapter will work since the column is a gm style and not a amc column... Unless it will work if I remove the 9 bolt adapter? Let me know if that is what you're saying...

I think my cj ps gear box is 3/4" but dont know the spline count still. I believe someone said tje count already... but will have to double check.

Wish I lived close to you both. Your wife and you are so cool!

 

[mriplaybass]

Not sure if the steering wheel adapter will work since the column is a gm style and not a amc column... Unless it will work if I remove the 9 bolt adapter? Let me know if that is what you're saying...

I think my cj ps gear box is 3/4" but dont know the spline count still. I believe someone said tje count already... but will have to double check.

Wish I lived close to you both. Your wife and you are so cool!

When I put my steering wheel on the way the adapter works is the large center nut comes off, then the adapter is put onto the splined shaft and tightened down. Finally, the steering wheel is bolted to the adapter. I am a bit confused by what you refer to as the 9 bolt adapter . Does this part rotate? It looks like it stays stationary and the shaft rotates within.
You are right, the part# I sent you fits a Jeep column, probably won't work on a GM column. Can you be a bit more specific about your GM column? Who makes it, what does it fit, spline count, thread diameter.

Sorry I misunderstood the u joint configuration for your steering shaft. It did seem odd to have a DD on the gear box. I am pretty sure that our 59 CJ5 has the same gear box, and that one is totally accessible! I will measure the shaft and send you a link to another u joint. I seem to remember 13/16" and around 36 splines. Remember, when you are counting splines on a gear box, there is a flat spot with no splines. You have to kind of extrapolate the spline count as if the flat spot was not there or you will get too low of a spline count for you u joint.

And thanks for the kind words. We both enjoy trying to help.

 

[mriplaybass]

I measured the gear box on our 59 CJ5 which uses a 75 gear box. 72 thru 79 should all be the same. You are right about the diameter, the shaft is 3/4". The spline count is 36. Our DD shaft is 3/4", so a part number won't do you any good. Here are a few links that might help you start looking.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/steering-u-joints/steering-universal-joint-style/standard/shaft-end-1/3-4-in-36-spline/shaft-end-2/1-in-dd?N=4294924069%2B4294919637%2B4294919644%2B4294894936&SortBy=Default&SortOrder=Ascending



3 4 36 Spline to 1 inch DD Steering Universal Joint U Joint New | eBay

Hope this puts you on the right track!

 

[76cj7chick]

I measured the gear box on our 59 CJ5 which uses a 75 gear box. 72 thru 79 should all be the same. You are right about the diameter, the shaft is 3/4". The spline count is 36. Our DD shaft is 3/4", so a part number won't do you any good. Here are a few links that might help you start looking.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/steering-u-joints/steering-universal-joint-style/standard/shaft-end-1/3-4-in-36-spline/shaft-end-2/1-in-dd?N=4294924069%2B4294919637%2B4294919644%2B4294894936&SortBy=Default&SortOrder=Ascending



3 4 36 Spline to 1 inch DD Steering Universal Joint U Joint New | eBay

Hope this puts you on the right track!

okay. So I'm thinking of keeping my original steering shaft (rag joint at bottom) but then grind off the upper joint (to the column) and replace with aftermarket one.
I noticed my shaft is round and has splines. So, would you know the spline count and diameter I would look for on the shaft end. Since I am thinking it would be cheaper to keep my stock steering shaft? I know that the column side is 1"DD... Just need to now figure out the to column shaft side so I can get the correct joint to marry the shaft and column together..

Thanks for your help. Now I can buy a new rag ujoint as the rubber cover is ripped.

Can't remember the brand of the column but here are some pics. I have another thread going with issue of finding the correct bracket to hold the column tight in the bracket. ---As the column is thinner than the AMC one.


Hmmm. my stock shaft, appears to be 1" riund solined. Can someone let me know if this is right or wrong???
Also, the shaft is only 36"long.. If the aftermarket joint (to column) is 3.5" long then the shaft would be about 3" short. So, I may need to get the entire "kit" shaft and ujoints.. or use a double jointed joint????

 

[76cj7chick]

Here are a couple of pics of the column shaft. Is the seller correct that they said its a 1"DD?

 

[mriplaybass]

You have a rag joint at the gear box? Does it look like the first pic or the second one. The first one is a rag joint and the second is what the 76 to 86 CJs use. If you have the second coupler, Morris sells a rebuild kit for it. P/N: 8132676K for $11.99, We just rebuilt ours, and it works great. Very easy to install.
If your shaft is like the ones that I am familiar with, the joint at the steering column end of the shaft is splined to the column, but welded to the shaft going down to the gear box. You can do what you said you wanted to do, but it would require welding to the round shaft, and I know you are not proficient at welding. Look at IO's pictures in this thread. #4, third picture from the right. This is a stock shaft with the u joint welded to the shaft.

 

[76cj7chick]

You have a rag joint at the gear box? Does it look like the first pic or the second one. The first one is a rag joint and the second is what the 76 to 86 CJs use. If you have the second coupler, Morris sells a rebuild kit for it. P/N: 8132676K for $11.99, We just rebuilt ours, and it works great. Very easy to install.
If your shaft is like the ones that I am familiar with, the joint at the steering column end of the shaft is splined to the column, but welded to the shaft going down to the gear box. You can do what you said you wanted to do, but it would require welding to the round shaft, and I know you are not proficient at welding. Look at IO's pictures in this thread. #4, third picture from the right. This is a stock shaft with the u joint welded to the shaft.

Hey bass, I have the second joint.

I'll check out morris. Thanks.

 

[76cj7chick]

Hey again.
Don't know if anyone can help me out but hopefully!!

Have an aftermarket gm style column and the bottom half fits like a glove but the upper bracket has too much room as the column is thinner than stock.
Any suggestions on what aftermarket or home build bracket that will work on my cj and the gm column. I've posted pics. SORRY they are upside down!
Thanks!

 

[76cj7chick]

Okay here is what I understand what is going on at this point. (Sorry if I am confusing everyone..)

I plan on using my stock steering shaft (thanks to Bass who gave me the part number to the lower shaft boot and repair kit.)

Then, I need a upper shaft joint for column to shaft. Which is: 1" DD x 1" round (or splined but still need to know count only way to count is if I cut off old ujoint.)

Then I need to get either a 9 bolt/hole steering wheel with horn
OR
A gm column to cj wheel adapter so I can put my steering wheel on the aftermarket gm style column.
OR
Buy a used gm style wheel with 9 holes.

One thing I still need to find is a bracket or clamp to secure the upper portion of the column that the old bracket. I found on by flaming river but would like to know of its quality and if it would work. (Pn#FR20300)

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[76cj7chick]

Okay.. this is imbarrising after nuxmch research I thought to myself perhaps I don't need an adapter to late up my column and wheel....
So, I tried installing my cj wheel on the aftermarket column and it looks like a perfect fit (spline wise) only thing is the horn contact is tall and thick so it won't fit through the metal ate to the horn button.
Should I go ahead and cut the horn button on the metal plate a little wider so that the wire can fit???

Hope to hear from some of you.... Here are some pics of my cj wheel on my aftermarket column.
Hope they don't get turned upside down as they aren't when I send them.

The wheel isn't all the way on either as I need to find a bracket to stabilize it under the dash.