Steering Column Interchangeability...

[timmirvin]

Well Sherman is testing my patience.....

Got the steering column apart. Bearings shot. Four bolts that normally come loose are not even threaded.....

Lock-tight them, clean everything up, and cannot get the shifter past reverse!!!!!

Is there something else I should check?????? (disconnected linkage & worked by hand, so the problem seems to be inside column)

Or should I begin shopping for a replacement column??????

My understanding is 79-83 GM is the same......

But what model....van, P/U.....what???????

TIA

[kyjman]

The one out of your 88 GW partsmobile shoud fit just right.

[timmirvin]

Yes, I have checked all the dimensions, it will fit just fine. But it is a little more than is needed....the cruise,blinker, wiper portion. And would like to save it for Harley.

Not to mention, the more I check it out, and take parts off of it, the more I realize it is probably in too good of condition to be a parts mobile. Meaning, it runs fine, 727 & 229 function properly, almost all the window/door switches work fine, no rust, no dents, etc. So far, the only problems I have found with it is the factory tow hitch was removed and the spare was used for Sherman.
And.....it is the Maroon color.......

So I will be calling salvage yards this morning for a replacement column, just wish I was 100% sure of interchangeability.....

[DieselSJ]

Along the lines of this topic, what would be a good donor for a column that did not have a shifter mechanism? I want to swap in a 700R4 and use a floor mounted shifter, so I would like to get rid of the column shifter. Granted this project is somewhere out in the future (I'm still looking for a nice GW - anyone know of any?), but it is never too early to start planning.

Nice site - I'm learning lots about SJ's.

[TPICherokee]

Mark in WA... I have an 89 parts rig that still has the column on it if you would like it. Make me an offer!

Brent
BJ's Off-Road
253.265.6678
www.bjsoffroad.com (http://www.bjsoffroad.com)

[MIDLERTH]

Theres about three GW for sale here where im at and they all look decent, probably late 80's. But Im in central Cali. They seem to sell for pretty cheap here cuz noone realizes there potential.

[Frankenstien]

I put an 84 wag in my 76 wag and all you have to do is decipher the wiring.

[letank]

columns are about $45.... just swap your ignition lock..... pre 80's have the safety switch at the base of the column.... and 80's and younger with the TF 727, have the safety switch in the trany

Michel

[Allen78J20]

If you are going to/have a floor shifter, get a column out of a non automatic jeep/fsj. I went with a non tilt. The difference I saw was the ignition switch, it was 180 degrees different than mine. I reversed the switch in the housing(careful, theres contacts and springs in there) and it worked like a charm. You can get other columns out of GM cars/trucks, but I dont know which ones..

[timmirvin]

Yeh, heading out tomorrow to see if I can find something that will work. Didn't think about the ignition switch possibly being different, thanx....