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If there is one thing I've learned along the way, it's respect your elders. Which is why I'm bringing this question up...it's been suggested to me that using a late 80's steering column on a 70's model Jeep may not be the best idea because the wiring harness will not line up. He is more than likely right, but on the other hand, I don't know if this has been tried before...
I got a few partial steering columns, but the only complete column I have is from an 89. The biggest difference between the two is the headlights and wiper switch are integrated into the steering column on the 89. On the 79 harness, these switches are at the dash.
After some frustration of trying to steal certain parts from certain columns to make one complete unit, I got looking at the wiring a little closer. The following picturers compare the 79 unit to the 89 unit...
Looking at the main connection of the 89. All of the wires going into this connection are the same color as the 79, only two more green wires are added, does anybody know what these wires are?
89 harness connector
Next is the 79 connector, notice it's the same bracket with the same wires. The white wire that is missing from the left is there, it's just been cut.
Next is the switch on the 89 column, I think this is called the IGNITION SWITCH...
Now the ignition switch from the 79...looks like the exact same switch - just a different color...
This is a switch on the 79 column. It's not on the 89, but there is a place for it - it looks like it could be easily swapped...what is this switch called and what does it do???
I beleive this 4 wires from the 79 column are only for the cruise? If so, I don't care about them (not planning on cruise)...
These wires are on the 89 column, are they for the cruise? If so, I can just cut them off...
The last question is a black wire from the 89 column, what does this go to???
In any of y'all can give me some suggestions/answers/ideas - I'd like to see if y'all think I'm crazy. I realize there will be some custom wiring for the headlights and wipers, but I think the bulk of the column will just bolt right in. In other words, I could hook it up and drive, and figure out the wipers and headlight later. Thoughts???
I got a few partial steering columns, but the only complete column I have is from an 89. The biggest difference between the two is the headlights and wiper switch are integrated into the steering column on the 89. On the 79 harness, these switches are at the dash.
After some frustration of trying to steal certain parts from certain columns to make one complete unit, I got looking at the wiring a little closer. The following picturers compare the 79 unit to the 89 unit...
Looking at the main connection of the 89. All of the wires going into this connection are the same color as the 79, only two more green wires are added, does anybody know what these wires are?
89 harness connector
Next is the 79 connector, notice it's the same bracket with the same wires. The white wire that is missing from the left is there, it's just been cut.
Next is the switch on the 89 column, I think this is called the IGNITION SWITCH...
Now the ignition switch from the 79...looks like the exact same switch - just a different color...
This is a switch on the 79 column. It's not on the 89, but there is a place for it - it looks like it could be easily swapped...what is this switch called and what does it do???
I beleive this 4 wires from the 79 column are only for the cruise? If so, I don't care about them (not planning on cruise)...
These wires are on the 89 column, are they for the cruise? If so, I can just cut them off...
The last question is a black wire from the 89 column, what does this go to???
In any of y'all can give me some suggestions/answers/ideas - I'd like to see if y'all think I'm crazy. I realize there will be some custom wiring for the headlights and wipers, but I think the bulk of the column will just bolt right in. In other words, I could hook it up and drive, and figure out the wipers and headlight later. Thoughts???
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