Tilt Steering Column - Help

[billyocup]

The upper steering column in my 75 CJ5 was completely shot, so as part of my rebuild, I decided to put a tilt column in. I was given a column out of a late 70's - early 80's Camaro or Firebird (see pic) which I am told will work in the CJ with some minor modifications. I think I've got a reasonable idea on what needs to be done to get it mounted.

My question is I don't have a clue what the lever is at the bottom of the shaft (see pic). If the column was out of an automatic, I can see it would have a purpose, but I'm told it was out of a manual shift car. I've been searching around the internet for several hours and can't find any clear information on what this is for. Can I cut it off? If not, what is it supposed to attach to?

If anyone else has done this conversion, I'd really appreciate a little guidance and maybe some pictures.

Thanks in advance, Bill

 

[mylittlecj5]

The column is out of an automatic equipped car. The shift lever is missing but the place it mounts is clear as day in the over-all pic.
The bottom lever is part of the shift mechanism.

 

[cerrajero]

The column is out of an automatic equipped car. The shift lever is missing but the place it mounts is clear as day in the over-all pic.
The bottom lever is part of the shift mechanism.

X2
plus the neutral safety switch is still there....take that off
that is the switch that keeps the key from turning to the lock position unless the tranny is in park

 

[billyocup]

mylittlecj5 & cerrajero -

Thanks for the input guys.

The column is definitely not out of a column mounted automatic. The nub that sticks out at the top of the column is for the key cylinder, not the shift lever. However, when you turn the collar section right below the tilt section, the lever at the bottom moves, but there is no other indication that a lever was mounted on the column. Seems I read somewhere that the Camaros and Firebirds used the same steering column whether they were manual or automatic?

cerrajero, I'm guessing that the neutral safety switch is that lower most unit on the column?

Thanks again, Bill

 

[cerrajero]

the neutral safety switch is the moon shaped piece with the 2 purple, pink and green wires coming from it.

before installing it I would still put it in a vise and test everything
older tilts have the potential of making a good day a bad one

 

[oldguy]

Bill,
I saw one like this in a 70 Camaro. The piece that sticks out of the bottom had a rod that hooked up to the shift linkage from a M22 Munci 4 speed. When put into reverse it moved the lever which would move a sleeve (sort of) in the column that would lock the wheel and shifter when the key was turned off. Not saying that is what it is -- but it sure looks like it.

 

[billyocup]

cerrajero - Thanks for the info and the tip on bench testing.

Dave - Thanks for the info. From looking at the diagrams for the GM tilt column, the lever that sticks out at the bottom is attached to what they refer to as a shift tube. Nothing I've found so far actually tells me what it does, but I'm guessing that you're right and it has something to do with the steering wheel locking mechanism. If that's the case I would guess I don't want to cut it off, because it could turn to lock position just by vibration. Maybe I can figure out if the entire shift tube can be removed or somehow secure the lever in the unlocked position. It would be nice to be able to completely remove it so I don't have to cut a bigger hole through the firewall.

Anyone else got any ideas?

Bill

 

[cerrajero]

I stumbled across this in my "need to read " list

17. Steering Column


It MAY help you

but the steering wheel lock is controlled at the key switch which is the rod right behind the lock cylinder.....the rod in the drawing is in one on the "slots" of the gear looking disc......that rod and disc is what locks the steering wheel....not the shifter

but you may be right that it may make a difference somewhere in the column.

 

[cerrajero]

i just read steering 17 ( finally after a couple of years)

I still say a bench test will tell you what you need to know

camaro and jeeps are 2 different creatures

key switchs at oreillys are $13 (part # lc14280)
$13 to tell if there is a problem now.... compared to full installation and finding out you need to spend more $$

 

[billyocup]

cerrajero - Thanks for the link and suggestion to get the lock cylinder. I picked a lock cylinder up a NAPA last night and hopefully will get a chance to test it out this evening. I read 17. Steering Column and several other articles on GM steering columns and I'm still not 100% clear on what the shift tube assembly does. I talked to a friend of mine who is a mechanic and he said he believes that the lower lever was attached to the Transmission linkage on both the auto and manual Transmission which moved the tube. The tube would activate the neutral safety switch and also keep the key from being removed unless the vehicle was in park or neutral.

I also read that the entire shift tube assembly can simply be removed from the column without affecting the steering function. I'm trying to find more info on that and will post what I find.

Thanks Again, Bill

 

[billyocup]

After doing a whole bunch more research and bench testing the steering column with the lock cylinder installed, I finally determined that the function of the shift tube is to prevent the steering wheel to lock and the key to be removed, unless the Transmission is shifted into park on an automatic or another position on a manual. All part of an anti theft system, I guess. Anyway, I found that if I put the shift tube the right position, all of the key functions work fine. So, I've cut the lever off at the bottom and will secure the shift tube collar at the top in a fixed position.

Will post photos of the complete install project on my build thread: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f98/bills-75-cj5-ground-up-rebuild-9190/ in a few days.

 

[jeepboy45]

I know this probably doesnt help a lot... but I'll ad my two cents.

I tried what you're doing, and and quickly gave up. Then I pulled a tilt column from a salvage yard wagoneer. My CJ is a column auto, so it was a direct bolt up swap. DONE. No headaches whatsoever.. It took more time to paint the column than install it !!

I'd like to hear how yours turned out though

 

[billyocup]

jeepboy45 -

Once I sorted out what the shift tube did, it actually went together pretty well, although there was alot of trial and error fitting. I've got the whole process and pictures posted on my build thread: Bill's 75 CJ5 ground up rebuild . I'm in the process of getting evething painted up now.

 

[7D8CJ]

Thats exactly right. My 78 Z28 4sp had the same column