where to get ignition switch rod and rack?

[76cj7chick]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum!

A few months ago I purchased my first CJ7 (1976)... The po did quite a terrible job on it...
For one the ignition switch was located on the dash and the lock cylinder in the steering column didn't have a key...

What's worse.. I've been trying to restore (to the best of my ability..)
And purchased the Turn Signal Switch and had a key made for the lock cylinder... However, after I purchased a column mounted Ignition Switch...I realized I didn't have a rod that goes to the lock cylinder to the ignition switch...

Any one know where I can buy the rod (and I guess I need the "rack") and anything else that would attach to the ignition switch?

Can someone please supply pics of how to install the rod too?
I've heard it may have two rods?

The steering column is stationary... However, I don't know if it used to be tilted...

PLEASE HELP!
Thanks in advanced for any advice, ideas, or thoughts...

 

[IOPort51]

Pull a column out of a 90 something Cherokee and toy get a tilt, high beam and wipers on the column.

 

[JR74CJ5]

:ww: ^ that would be the way to go...

Mine has the ignition switch on the dash, and the steering wheel lock cylinder just locks steering. So i have two keys... Pain in the but... I can leave it running / warming up walk back in the house, and if someone trys to steal it, they'll get across the street... Think it was fairly common (my PO also left me with this..)

I was looking at Summit, and Quadratec for you, but cant find a diagram of what you're looking for... though it may be more that im not understanding exactly what the rod or rack is...

Might be a link to a FSM page in our site documents section... They usually have diagrams

 

[billyocup]

First off welcome to the forum :ww:

I just did a bunch of research on steering columns as I was trying to adapt a GM tilt column out of an 70's Camaro into my 75 CJ5 . I found that most of the tilt columns in 70's Jeeps were GM, built by Saginaw.

Anyway, if you Google GM Steering column, you'll find several articles on rebuilding them which will show you how and where the rod and rack goes.
I found this one very helpful:Inside the GM tilt steering column - Pennock's Fiero Forum

It's a little tricky, because you need to take the upper part of the column apart to install those parts and it requires a couple of special tools to get it apart. As far as getting the parts, I know they carry the rack at my local NAPA store, so I would assume you can get the rod there also.

Good Luck, Bill

PS: Pictures of what you've got would help us help you better.

 

[cerrajero]

racks will differ
a pic of the column would help in identifying roughly what year it is

but im agreeing with IO on this just due to replacing the rack is a PITA
you will be tearing into 3/4 if not more of the column its alot easier when its out and clamped on a vise and where you can keep track of all the parts you taken out
my first one i cussed about 1000 times 15 years later i improved to cussing only 100
you are dealing with an older column thats been through hell

 

[76cj7chick]

Pull a column out of a 90 something Cherokee and toy get a tilt, high beam and wipers on the column.

"Pull a column out of a 90 something Cherokee and toy get a tilt, high beam and wipers on the column.

Read more: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f49/where-get-ignition-switch-rod-rack-11450/#ixzz1h6EfC6Fq"

Nice CJ5 ... Like the steering column too...

Believe it or not for now I'd like to keep the wipers and high beam stock... Probably because I'm a newbee...
​

 

[76cj7chick]

racks will differ
a pic of the column would help in identifying roughly what year it is

but im agreeing with IO on this just due to replacing the rack is a PITA
you will be tearing into 3/4 if not more of the column its alot easier when its out and clamped on a vise and where you can keep track of all the parts you taken out
my first one i cussed about 1000 times 15 years later i improved to cussing only 100
you are dealing with an older column thats been through hell

Thanks for your reply...

I already pulled the entire steering column... And yes, it was a major pain... Once I took it apart (gutted it) I discovered the po removed the horn cam, rack, key, rod, ignition switch, dust plate among some other essential things..

So now I am on the look out for a decent steering column... I have a "cute" jeep steering wheel and would prefer to stick with a column that just slides in to place... My column has splines at the end... Ideally, I'd love to have a tilt... I don't care if the column comes out of a vehicle other than a CJ7 but I just want to slide it into place...

If anyone has any suggestions, please, please send my way....

 

[76cj7chick]

First off welcome to the forum :ww:

I just did a bunch of research on steering columns as I was trying to adapt a GM tilt column out of an 70's Camaro into my 75 CJ5 . I found that most of the tilt columns in 70's Jeeps were GM, built by Saginaw.

Anyway, if you Google GM Steering column, you'll find several articles on rebuilding them which will show you how and where the rod and rack goes.
I found this one very helpful:Inside the GM tilt steering column - Pennock's Fiero Forum

It's a little tricky, because you need to take the upper part of the column apart to install those parts and it requires a couple of special tools to get it apart. As far as getting the parts, I know they carry the rack at my local NAPA store, so I would assume you can get the rod there also.

Good Luck, Bill

PS: Pictures of what you've got would help us help you better.

Hi.. I am grateful for this forum and all of the help the veterans of jeeps share with us novices...

On a good note, I was able to take apart the steering wheel and its innards.. I'm just worried I may not be able to put it back together if I can round up the right parts...:0
It may be easier to find a complete steering column at this point.... Maybe...

 

[76cj7chick]

"Pull a column out of a 90 something Cherokee and toy get a tilt, high beam and wipers on the column.

Read more: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f49/where-get-ignition-switch-rod-rack-11450/#ixzz1h6EfC6Fq"

Nice CJ5 ... Like the steering column too...

Believe it or not for now I'd like to keep the wipers and high beam stock... Probably because I'm a newbee...
​

That looks like my column.. The ends are the same as mine... (Splines)

By the way... I am jealous... You're jeep isn't gutted like mine....

 

[76cj7chick]

:ww: ^ that would be the way to go...

Mine has the ignition switch on the dash, and the steering wheel lock cylinder just locks steering. So i have two keys... Pain in the but... I can leave it running / warming up walk back in the house, and if someone trys to steal it, they'll get across the street... Think it was fairly common (my PO also left me with this..)

I was looking at Summit, and Quadratec for you, but cant find a diagram of what you're looking for... though it may be more that im not understanding exactly what the rod or rack is...

Might be a link to a FSM page in our site documents section... They usually have diagrams

I don't know what some of the past PO's were thinking when they ripped MY jeep up... Hehehe...

My jeep had the same "ignition switch on the dash syndrome" too... I also can't find the rod and Many other important parts for the column...

 

[cerrajero]

normally it would be go get an 80 something chevy truck or camaro column
but from what you have posted about the PO I still ask for Pics so we can see what column you yanked out

 

[76cj7chick]

normally it would be go get an 80 something chevy truck or camaro column
but from what you have posted about the PO I still ask for Pics so we can see what column you yanked out

Here is a pic of the column before being pulled.. I don't have one yet of it out of the jeep.. So it may not help...

 

[rr41mag]

A 90ish s10 steering column is a close fit too. I have a 93 in my yard and compared the two. I almost went ith it but there's nothing wrong with mine. The grant steering wheel adaptor will fit either one also.

 

[cerrajero]

A 90ish s10 steering column is a close fit too. I have a 93 in my yard and compared the two. I almost went ith it but there's nothing wrong with mine. The grant steering wheel adaptor will fit either one also.

X2
and S10 are easier to find in the pull a part lots

and just by the pic I don't think its the original

 

[76cj7chick]

A 90ish s10 steering column is a close fit too. I have a 93 in my yard and compared the two. I almost went ith it but there's nothing wrong with mine. The grant steering wheel adaptor will fit either one also.

I forgot to mention that I purchased a Jeep 3 spoke steering wheel.. And it is a perfect fit to the column.
So the grant steering wheel is for trade or sale..
Still haven't had the chance to get a pic of the steering column out of the jeep..
However, thanks for your suggestions..
I may try a local junk yard since they are way over priced on ebay...

 

[76cj7chick]

X2
and S10 are easier to find in the pull a part lots

and just by the pic I don't think its the original

Good to know..
I will check out my local junk yard if I can't find a column off a cj...

THanks for your suggestions.

 

[76cj7chick]

normally it would be go get an 80 something chevy truck or camaro column
but from what you have posted about the PO I still ask for Pics so we can see what column you yanked out

Here is a pic of the column.. Don't know if it will help because everything is black.. If you're able to tell what it is, please share your knowledge with me.

THanks.

 

[76cj7chick]

normally it would be go get an 80 something chevy truck or camaro column
but from what you have posted about the PO I still ask for Pics so we can see what column you yanked out

Here are some better pics of the steering column...

Any ideas what column will just slip in and bolt in to the jeep if I can't find a cj column?

 

[grico777]

I just replaced my ignition cylinder on a 1976 CJ5 and this link really helped me out.
I bought the cylinder with keys from Advance Auto for about $30. I couldn't locate a lock plate press but if you line everything up and use a 3/4 pipe nipple it will snap into place. Good luck.
http://civilianjeep.info/Strenk/Steering/KeyCylinderReplacement.html

 

[76cj7chick]

I just replaced my ignition cylinder on a 1976 CJ5 and this link really helped me out.
I bought the cylinder with keys from Advance Auto for about $30. I couldn't locate a lock plate press but if you line everything up and use a 3/4 pipe nipple it will snap into place. Good luck.
http://civilianjeep.info/Strenk/Steering/KeyCylinderReplacement.html

That's definitely one way to go.. But I hope to get the entire column and parts already intact since my column is missing so much.. But thanks for the suggestion.