I need a new tilt column for my '80 CJ-7 w/ power steering. What donor columns will fit? I have heard waggy columns will work, but not much luck finding a waggy w/ a manual tranny around here. I guess I could always take off the :rainbow: column shifter and run it, any other suggestions?
Thanks,

-Jeremy

Originally posted by Rat Patrol
I need a new tilt column for my '80 CJ-7 w/ power steering. What donor columns will fit? I have heard waggy columns will work, but not much luck finding a waggy w/ a manual tranny around here. I guess I could always take off the :rainbow: column shifter and run it, any other suggestions?
Thanks,

-Jeremy
Find a non tilt column out of any 76-86 cj. You don't need tilt:D

Check out www.centechwire.com they sell rebuilt columns... :D

Originally posted by TPIJeep
Check out www.centechwire.com they sell rebuilt columns... :D

Seen those. Thanks, but way too much $$$.

Why not get a Waggy column and take what parts you need out of it and put in your existing column.

What's wrong with your existing column anyway?

BTW, most of these columns are made by Saginaw and alot of the internal parts are the same. My current column is a hybrid between an S-10 column and the original Jeep column. I now have the dimmer switch and windshield wipers on my column... :)

Early XJs, before the inline 6 was added, have almost the perfect length tilt Saginaw column, it even has a cruise/dimmer switch.

NO column shifter either

the problem is the spines are differnt so you have to make a new steering shaft.

wag shafts are a little long than CJ shafts from teh firewall to the steering box, so one will bolt in but you have to shorten your steering shaft.

dude above is right on track, almost all GM cars/trucks use this same column just measure and go junkyard hunting, its reeally easy of you can fab a steering shaft, a little harder if you cant.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AzXTV
[B]Why not get a Waggy column and take what parts you need out of it and put in your existing column.

What's wrong with your existing column anyway?


The jeep was hit on the left front, shaft and column housing are generally Fawked up. I'm liking the early XJ idea, gonna check in to that. Lots of those around. I'm not too worried about the shaft its mangled too, gonna replace that also. Thanks for all the info! :beer: :beer: :beer: Time to go scrounging.

-Jeremy

Originally posted by Rat Patrol


Seen those. Thanks, but way too much $$$.

LOL :flipoff2: Nothing on a Jeep is cheap !!!! ;)

Check with Sam's off road. He had one a few months ago when I was down there. I didn't think he was asking a lot for it. I was suprized to see that. HA
:flipoff2:

i got 2
1 has a collapsed shaft that can probly be fixed
1 is out of a fsj with wheel
neither have the shifter in the column

I have seen both XJ and Full size wagoneer colums used and they both fit perfect.

I am runnin a wagoneer column in 85 CJ-7...Fit perfect.Just had to adjust under the dash.:beer:

You can also check mid to late 70's GM cars, specifically the
Chevy Monza and it's GM clones. The coluums in them are
very close to the exact length.

Be careful with what steering column you decide with. You might need to rework the wiring harness some. I just adapted a Wagoneer column to my Jeepster and had to do some major rewiring because there are two types of harnesses for these columns. one that integrates the turn signal and brake lights into the same circuit and one that seperates the turn signal and brake light circuits. I would suggest taking the time to get the correct column unless you could swap everything over from your existing column.
Good luck with your findings.
Ken

On my 79 CJ I used one from a 76 Firebird . Had to f_uck with the mounting plate for the firewall but only a 10 minute job . Just cut the one off that comes with the Bird column and use the original Jeep plate . To easy . About an inch longer though , had to "compress" the steering shaft an inch . Good Luck .

Thanks for all the info so far. I figured I may have to do some re-wiring if I go with a non stock column, but I was under the impression, that the waggy(and maybe some others), have very similar style harness plug on the column. Am I :smokin:? I dont mind re-wiring some stuff, but would much rather go with something that will just plug in, if possible.
Any additional info on the wiring would be great.
Thanks,
-Jeremy

the few that ive messed with from 70s-80s Jeep products, Cjs/Xjs,SJs have all had stadnardized plugs.

BUT the wag columns were too long for mine,m but mine is a CJ5 so maybe that matters?

its easy enough to cut and make a new shaft though

Thanks Ozark.:beer:
I thought they were similar. I've done other GM columns before, but never tried to cross swap. I will probably be moving the steering box forward also, so I might be able to use some extra length. Either way the shaft should be no problem to make it work.

-Jeremy

Jeremy

The 76 Firebird column plugged right into the Jeep wiring , didnt have to F with a thing . Just the extra inch . :p

I know that this post was intended for a ’80 CJ-7, but does anyone have any input for swapping from a strait column in a ’75 CJ-5 to a more current tilt column?
My turn signal switch is toast and thought that I might as well try and upgrade.

i have a tilt-column from an 85 s-10 blazer in my 1984 Scrambler. had to cut the brackets off the blazer column and use the CJ ones. i also had to look through my Misc. parts bucket to find the right bracket to bolt the column to the pedal assembly by the dash. it was probably a CJ bracket. i ended up having to make a new steering shaft in order to go from the DD on the column to the spline of the steering box. the Flaming River website had all the info i needed to figure out the right couplings to buy. i then bought the Flaming River couplings from Summit Racing (lots cheaper!). i haven't hooked up the wiring yet, but it looks like every thing should work fine. it will also give me wipers and bright lights on the column. matt

I'm using a 79 Scout II colum.

It's not a bolt on, as the shaft is 11" longer than the 77 CJ colum. However this is a good fit as I'm running a Ford 5.0L and moved my steering box forward. Just need to hook the two together now.

go to the pick 'n pull and find some old AMC Gremlins, Ramblers,Etc... they ran the same motors and everything;)

I have had luck using ones from chevy trucks and the ones from the camaro and nova clones.

Thanks. I got a non-tilt out of a 75 camaro. Works just fine.

-Jeremy