Ad blocker detected: Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.
I decided it will be easier to just replace the steering column in my '68 J3500 due to lack of parts availability. I'm still deciding which of the big three makers to go with. Either Flaming River, Ididit, or Speeway.
So as to know what to shop for, I need to know the length of the steering column installed in a '64-'71 J series truck with a column shift automatic. Anyone done a column swap with an after market GM style column and knows how long it is?
I know I can simply measure it once it is removed, but I would like to research this and order parts BEFORE removing my old column. Thus I'll have still have a truck I can move, while I await parts. Space is very limited and I can't have the truck blocking the driveway without a steering column while parts on order.
1968 J3500 - Buick 430, SP400, D20, D44/D53 Townside 1981 CJ7 - rock crawler w/ custom tri-link suspension & coil springs, 383 stroker L98 TPI 2010 JK - all the normal bolt on stuff you can think of. 4" Currie lift, 37" tires, stubby bumpers, flat fenders and such...
Cool! Thank you for the info. This will be very helpful.
Oh, while you are here... did you have any issues with the firewall seal? I just found mine is welded to the column and I'll need to find something else to work on the lower end.
1968 J3500 - Buick 430, SP400, D20, D44/D53 Townside 1981 CJ7 - rock crawler w/ custom tri-link suspension & coil springs, 383 stroker L98 TPI 2010 JK - all the normal bolt on stuff you can think of. 4" Currie lift, 37" tires, stubby bumpers, flat fenders and such...
I just cut the bracket off the original column and welded it to the new one. I didn’t have any issues with it. I used to have photos of the swap but they aren’t on my phone. They might be in my build thread.
I have a 32" flaming river tilt column and love it. Just wish the turn signal arm was longer. It wont accept your early steering wheel unless you recenter the wheel with a GM spline. Any jeep wheel with a gm style column works. I have a 70s J10 wheel on mine
Man you rock! The pictures tell me more than you might think. Love it! I also kinda figured the old wheel wouldn't fit the new shaft. I'll start looking for something similar to go with the new column.
Next up... I have one pink wire coming out of the column that is just cut off and hanging loose. It doesn't appear on any of the column wire diagrams I've seen so far. Any guess as to what it goes to? I kinda think it can be lost and never missed. As it looks to have been cut off a looong time ago. Also, I thankfully I found a gm to early model Impala wiring adapter at Jegs that will plug into the body harness and make the column more plug and play. Even if the colors don't match, the plugs do and I can figure out the rest.
Seriously impressed by the rebuild project thread. You have gone a long way and have done an amazing job. Your project looks to be very close to where I'm going with my '68. I do plan on going with the stock hight. As this will be the tow vehicle for my '81 CJ7 rock crawler. I also have an automatic with a big block that is going to require a lot of TLC. Along with all the normal things that need to be fixed. Soon I will be adding a twin stick to the D-20, just as you did. Though I've been looking at the Novak setup. Looks to be the same. I figure it should be as easy to replace as it was to install the twin stick on the CJ7.
1968 J3500 - Buick 430, SP400, D20, D44/D53 Townside 1981 CJ7 - rock crawler w/ custom tri-link suspension & coil springs, 383 stroker L98 TPI 2010 JK - all the normal bolt on stuff you can think of. 4" Currie lift, 37" tires, stubby bumpers, flat fenders and such...
Thanks, I'll take your pic and see how it matches mine. Looks to be the same, if I remember right. I'm at work right now, so I might not be able to get to it for couple days.
Seriously appreciate your time and help.
1968 J3500 - Buick 430, SP400, D20, D44/D53 Townside 1981 CJ7 - rock crawler w/ custom tri-link suspension & coil springs, 383 stroker L98 TPI 2010 JK - all the normal bolt on stuff you can think of. 4" Currie lift, 37" tires, stubby bumpers, flat fenders and such...
Food for thought, are you planning on trying to use your existing steering shaft with the new column? I know you mentioned minimizing downtime during the swap. Would be a good time to update the shaft as well.
Phils67 wrote:Food for thought, are you planning on trying to use your existing steering shaft with the new column? I know you mentioned minimizing downtime during the swap. Would be a good time to update the shaft as well.
Actually no. The plan was to replace whole thing, shaft included. This way I know I have good joints and can make sure everything is compatible. Plus I prefer the new style u-joints over the "flex plate" style joints that I currently have.
1968 J3500 - Buick 430, SP400, D20, D44/D53 Townside 1981 CJ7 - rock crawler w/ custom tri-link suspension & coil springs, 383 stroker L98 TPI 2010 JK - all the normal bolt on stuff you can think of. 4" Currie lift, 37" tires, stubby bumpers, flat fenders and such...
I used a Borgeson shaft and joints on mine. Much stronger and safer than original, plus install was a breeze. Don’t forget locktite on the set screws when you get that far.