Room behind the wheel

Just wondering if anyone has ever thought about cutting their dash where the steering column attaches to raise the column say 2"?? Some of us need some more room. After getting behind the wheel there is no problem, just getting there is; and now with seat belts there is less room. Sounds like a good idea and can be made so you really have to look close at the alteration to tell. On my 1963 CJ I have a much thicker then original seat that even makes it worse. Wondering about the steering column and orig. box. Is there enough slack to just push it up and rebolt it?? Maybe make a nice looking escustion to cover it up. Don't sound real difficult if there is no steering box/column problems. I have dropped mine down to do some dash work and it was loose, laying on the seat. Can't tell about the other way with out cutting a notch. Funny thing about cutting, you can't un cut it with out welding and showing damage. Need some input, please.
charlie brown just asking questions from mesa,az.

 

If you have the stock Ross steering, it ataches directly to the box, which attaches directly to the frame.

 

I think I would look into notching the wheel well and sliding the seat back, before I would think about cutting the dash. like mentioned above if you have the stock ross box it bolts to the frame.

 

Eat more salads. Just kidding, I agree with this. Did it to my flatty made a huge difference.

 

I like the first half.

 

No, you missed the point. It's not my spair tire in the way, like some folks. It's the bottom of the wheel and my legs, thighs, with the new thick seats that are so comfortable.
Thought about notching the wheel well and moving the seat back but that won't do any good. My problem is verticle, not horzontal like most. I'm aware that it bolts to the frame but the tube don't. I could move the seat back a foot and it won't help my problem. Been eating salids for years, still at 175 lb.

 

i put a smaller steering wheel on mine.

 

I know what you mean with the bigger softer seats, had the same prob with the low back corbau baja seats . The notch and a smaller steering wheel helped me out. I weigh about a buck fifty so no spare tire issues here either.:tea:

 

Why not install a tilt column? I put a tilt column in mine and it was actually quite simple.

 

What tilt column did you use?? Don't really want to change the steering box if not necessary. Most that I looked at are too long. Might be only a matter of cutting it down. The ones I looked at and measured were 4" to long. It was my first thought but I never did find one from a jeep but maybe a smaller car would work. The tube and the shaft could be cut and reweld the shaft. I guess if I took my measurements and spent a day or so in a couple of junk yards that may be the answer. Then I could also have signal lights and a dimmer switch that would be handy. Please reply, thanks Charlie.

 

I think your solution is some different seats.....

 

Lower the seat.

What kind of mounting and adjustment rails do you have under there?

 

I have a '71 cj5 with original steering box and shaft/worm gear. I put new seats in mine and had same problem. I was fine once I was in there but getting in was not the easiest. I'm 6'5 230.....so I made my steering wheel come on and off like the nascar boy's. I can leave the key in it and take my steering wheel with me... If this is sumthin you might want to do..let me know cuz there are a few things you must know or you will have to cut the shaft and weld it back..I speak from experience lol

 

What about notching the steering wheel? Haven't seen that done yet.

 

I wouldn't leave the key in. A pair of locking pliers on the steering shaft and you just had your Jeep stolen.


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I used a tilt column out of an '86 Chevy S-10.

 

Can you lower the seat?

 

I did on mine. It all depends on what all the mounting hardware looks like.

Also my seat had to be moved inboard about 5 inches to center up on the steering wheel.

I mounted angle steel under the stock (came with the JEEP originally mounting straps and then mounted the rails to that in the correct place for lining up with the wheel. After market hi-backs the PO put in there.

I don't remember that the original seats had any front to rear adjustments on them. My original mounting tubes and straps also seem to be for the 2/3-1/3 split seat that jeeps used to have in them.