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Shorten the steering column or smaller steering wheel?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by workingdog, Apr 30, 2012.

  1. Apr 30, 2012
    workingdog

    workingdog New Member

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    Being a newbie to the forum I just bet this has been done before?
    I'm a big guy and find that my 1960 CJ5 is real tight getting in and out..who doesn't I guess?
    Besides modifying the seating and making new panels to move the seat further back (which I intend to do)...has anyone shortened the steering column or, where do you find smaller steering wheels that look the same as the originals?
    Any and all help is appreciated.
     
  2. Apr 30, 2012
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
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    i think your options depend on how original you want the jeep to look. if you arent doing a 100% resoration a smaller wheel and an GM tilt column should help alot. if your keeping the ross box i think your options are limited. im 6'7" and can use all the extra room i can get and i started a 4" wheel housing notch and just test fitting the seat i can tell its going to help alot. im still undecided on what column to use.
     
  3. Apr 30, 2012
    CJ Joe

    CJ Joe Truckhaven Tough!

    Pinon Hills, CA
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    I understand. I keep a spare tire just above my belt buckle. :) Got tired of the rub marks on the bottom of my t-shirt. My '68 has PS and came with a wheel that is about 12" dia. I shortened the shaft by 2". That helped more the wheel away. It works for me, but now that my son has a license he's too big (6'-1" and still growing) to fit in the jeep. Since I'm re-fabbing all the body mounts I'm going to notch the wheelhouse too.
     
  4. Apr 30, 2012
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
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    smaller wheel and manual steering = Popeyes arms
     
  5. Apr 30, 2012
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Are you going to power steering? I used an intermediate steering column and cut the bracket and cut the dash to push the column and wheel closer and up higher on the dash. this was with an aftermarket wheel. It worked out great. the first time i did it, i didnt shorten the column, just moved the bracket. My current jeep i cut and shortened the column and mounted it higher and closer to the dash.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  6. Apr 30, 2012
    68BuickV6

    68BuickV6 Well-Known Member

    Hesperia, CA.
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    From an originality stand point, I wouldn't change a thing, if I did, I would follow what DanStew just posted (for power steering).

    My dad had the same problem driving my CJ.
    As soon as he sat down, the steering wheel touched his "spare tire".
    He laughed and said he loved driving my CJ so much, it must be time to "drop the spare".
    I never thought I would be able to convince him to drop the weight and get it shape. R)
     
  7. Apr 30, 2012
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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  8. Apr 30, 2012
    workingdog

    workingdog New Member

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    Thanks supertrooper. I'd like to keep it looking as original as I can (if I can). The Ross Steering box is fine, that's why I have been considering cutting and shutting the steering column to move it closer to the dash and then if I could get a steering wheel that looked the same but was a smaller diameter????
    Tell me a bit more about what you mean a 4" housing notch??
     
  9. Apr 30, 2012
    workingdog

    workingdog New Member

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    Dan, thanks mate. My old girl is much older than your Jeep. 1960 CJ5 with older style pedals. I'd like ti to look as original as I could.??
     
  10. Apr 30, 2012
    workingdog

    workingdog New Member

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    I agree. Whatcha reckon? Cut and shut the steering column? Make it look original?
     
  11. Apr 30, 2012
    workingdog

    workingdog New Member

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    Thanks for the reply Howard. The link you gave me goes nowhere. Can you try something else?
     
  12. Apr 30, 2012
    workingdog

    workingdog New Member

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    My old girl has the original Hurricane so I guess power steering is not on the cards.
     
  13. May 1, 2012
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
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    this link should help
    http://boyink.com/cj6/wheelhouse-notch/
     
  14. May 1, 2012
    workingdog

    workingdog New Member

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    Thanks mate. Great little link and I appreciate you finding it for me.
    In the pics it is obvious he has an after market steering wheel. After talking to you guys, I have made the decision to modify the rear fender and move the seat back in the first instance.
    (I'm OK at making panels). I'll then see how it goes and make a decision on 'possibly' changing the steering wheel to a 'slightly' smaller one.
    I really appreciate all your help. Thank you.

    I'm new to this forum but I'll see if I can post a couple of photos for you to have a look at what I'm looking at<chuckle>

    OK. How do I attach an image or two?
     
  15. May 1, 2012
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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  16. May 1, 2012
    workingdog

    workingdog New Member

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    Thanks for that duffer. It's kind of you to take the time.
    I went to the link you provided and it had a reference to using Photobucket (with a link). When I clicked on that link it gave an 'invalid' response??
     
  17. May 1, 2012
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
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    Load pics to a web based photo site.... ie photobucket..... then copy the img code there and paste it into your thread here ,,,,, HTH
     
  18. May 3, 2012
    linkwhy

    linkwhy Member

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    i took my steering colum out and cut 4" out of the middle of the steering shaft ground the welds off the dash support and moved it up 4" retacked it then cut 4" the bottom of the tube had a buddy make me a sleeve and slid it over the two shafts welded the inner shaft back together and put a grant steering wheel and put in power steering worked great in my 74 cj-5 304 lots of room and didn"t have to touch anything else look stock except for the grant wheel
     
  19. May 4, 2012
    workingdog

    workingdog New Member

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    Thanks mate but, unfortunately, I don't have the option of going to power steering (much as it would be nice). My little girl is as close as possible to factory original 1960. I am a bit old fashioned and admire original vehicles.
    Just a bit silly I guess? Thanks for your input...appreciate it.
     
  20. May 4, 2012
    68BuickV6

    68BuickV6 Well-Known Member

    Hesperia, CA.
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    Nothing wrong with that.

    I prefer all stock/original, as much as possible, minus any previous owner modifications. :tea:
     
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