XJ steering column in a CJ

[cjbilly]

How many people are looking for a tilt steering column for there CJ? I know, the CJ manual columns are hard to come by and can be $$$ or need to be rebuilt.
As an alternative, I installed an early ('91) XJ column in my CJ with great results. Having a floor mounted shifter for my automatic made it easy because I did not want to deal with a column shifter. Most XJ's have center console shifters anyways.

1. The CJ wiring harness/plug that plugs into the base of the shaft works, nothing to worrry about.
2. What you need from the JY is the XJ intermediate shaft that goes between the end of column and steering box.
3. I heated up my CJ intermediate shaft to melt the plastic where the two shafts meet.
4. Do the same to the XJ shaft.
5. You will need to use the lower shaft for connection to the CJ steering box and the upper shaft on the XJ steering column. The two shaft ends should slide into each other. I added never seez on the smaller rod.

The XJ steering column has both bright lights and wiper features on them. If you are good at wiring, you can incorporate those features into the XJ column. At this time, I do have the bright lights working off of the column. I tried hooking up my intermediate CJ wiper control on the column but ran out of patience.
Hope this helps.

 

[Old Dog]

Good info to know.

 

[IOPort51]

I think I had to shorten the shaft just a bit. I know there was some reason to cut the top U-joint off both and swap them.

 

[CJim7]

I like this. I think I will incorporate it into my list of future mods.

 

[cjbilly]

I think I had to shorten the shaft just a bit. I know there was some reason to cut the top U-joint off both and swap them.

I've been thinking about your comment. The new body mounts (2") that I installed under my fiberglass body, per factory recommendations, probably raised my tub up high enought that I didn't have to shorten my shaft. I'm sure every installation will be a little different.
Either method would work.

 

[Mattduran]

I'll share my column project with you. I'm unaware of any newer column that would be an easy task to install in an older cj unless you bought new which would have the same spline count of the existing steering column you currently have if still using the factory manual steering. Honestly my best suggestion would be to get an 80's model jeep column and converting your pre power steering unit over to power steering all at the same time. Grabbing a column, power steering shaft, power steering box, Pump, hoses, and all mounts from one unit would be an incredibly smart thing to do. Sounds like a scary project but it is relatively simple. The biggest issue with adapting this set up from experience I would say the column. Mostly just mounting of the column if you went with the complete conversion from manual to power steering I spoke of above. Everything else you can do with common tools.
With my Jeep I decided to adapted an early 80's bronco steering column into my 73cj5. It turned out to be a fair amount of work to adapt. Mounting, wiring, steering shaft adapting form the old spline count to new, all took some time with the route I chose. I also converted to power steering at the same time. Grabbing the shaft, box, pump and hoses from a newer cj. An easy way to mount your column to the column mount is to use a large u bolt, which will wrap around your new column and fit into excising mount holes on the column mount. On my jeep I also made a couple brackets for extra support (I always want my column to have no play in them so you can almost hang off them) Adapting my wiring harness to this bronco column I had to find the wiring schematics. Well worth the time it took to have this old cj with all the nice features of wipers, lights, and blinkers all in the column. If your real ambitious even cruise control!

I had the power steering shaft and the bronco shaft. Next was adapting them to work. Neither shaft will work with both the newer bronco column and CJ power steering box so I cut and welded the two correct shafts together and utilized the collapsible part in the new shaft I made. Caution if you do go this rout be sure to have a professional do the cutting and welding on your steering shaft. As for the box, pump and hoses this was easy. Just make sure you have all the mounts for the pump, and box. If the pump you grab was used on a different motor then yours you may have to make/find a mount for your particular engine. Overall this project is a huge upgrade and for the time/money spent I think it should be one of the 1st to consider. If your running larger tires, or doing some off roading you will be very happy you did this upgrade. Thank you


http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/w...-bolt-into-cj7-6957/index2.html#ixzz19Vt7Hlxk​

 

[BigAl77cj5]

I put an almost identical tilt wheel column out of a 91 chevy s 10 into my 77 CJ5 . Makes it a whole lot easier to get in and out of and all the wiring was plug and play for me. Plus now I have the option of upgrading to pulse wipers later, and changing to column head light dimmer switch. There are many different options out there of junk yard parts that can be used with just a little modification.

 

[IOPort51]

yea, but does the key and horn button say Jeep??

I put an almost identical tilt wheel column out of a 91 chevy s 10 into my 77 CJ5 . Makes it a whole lot easier to get in and out of and all the wiring was plug and play for me. Plus now I have the option of upgrading to pulse wipers later, and changing to column head light dimmer switch. There are many different options out there of junk yard parts that can be used with just a little modification.

 

[BigAl77cj5]

yea, but does the key and horn button say Jeep??

well you got me there. But I was just worried about getting a column that would work and finding a cheap version of tilt wheel. I believe I could put my factory cj wheel on the column, and the gm key is the same as the key i had before.

 

[Mattduran]

yea, but does the key and horn button say Jeep??

Hah. No it says GRANT STEERING. There's something special about factory running jeeps running around. Hard to come by these days. Pic of my custom column / dash below. Thank you.

 

[cjbilly]

CLARIFICATION:

The base of the XJ column has a plate at the bottom that will need to be trimmed to look like the older CJ column. This should be pretty much is self explanatory.

You will need to use the lower shaft for connection to the CJ steering box and the upper shaft on the YJ steering column*. The two shaft ends should slide into each other. I added never seez on the smaller rod.

*The YJ intermediate shaft is basically the same length as the CJ. The XJ is shorter and probably won't work.

Thank you yellow85cj for the PM and additional information.

 

[gert]

Well I talked to IOPORT on this subject awhile ago and I have been stewing on it awhile now My plan is the same as Cjbilly and IOPORT. I am looking for a Hardtop off a YJ and plan on using the donor XJ column's wiper switch to control the wiper (front) and headlights and the original CJ wiper switch to control the back wiper...then the GM throttlebody fuel injection and column to control the cruise awe right

 

[dagr8tim]

well you got me there. But I was just worried about getting a column that would work and finding a cheap version of tilt wheel. I believe I could put my factory cj wheel on the column, and the gm key is the same as the key i had before.

I know this is an old thread, but a buddy with an early 90's S-10 & I were talking and his S-10 has a nearly identical steering wheel as the 87 XJ column that I got for my CJ. You *could* just swap the steering wheel to get the "Jeep" center button, or just swap the button yourself.

As for keys, hit up ebay and get the key blanks. Then take them to a locksmith and have them cut the keys for you based on an existing key. I've done that before.

EDIT:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-AMC-JEEP-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item565ba62466&vxp=mtr