[srgould41]

Along with installing power steering I want to replace my steering column and wheel. I want a tilt column with good turn signals, etc.

I am going to yank one from a junk yard donor. Does anyone have suggestions on what donor vehicle would fit with the least amount of work?

Maybe a Toyota truck or?

Steve

[rockcod]

What year cruiser? They all involve "work", just some more than others. The early fire wall will need a new column support through the firewall. The later style will need to be modified. The dash mount will need to be adapted to fit the column of choice. Wiring for the blinkers and flashers can be an issue as well as the ignition wiring.

I pulled my column from an 89 Firebird, if you are going GM you want to find a vehicle that had a floor shift, not a column shift.

[D'Animal]

I have a tilt column from an FJ60 for which includes the wheel.

$75.00 plus shipping.

[1979fj40]

I would like to do this also. wich one would be less down time?

[srgould41]

I do like the idea of one from a Chevy as I plan to replace the wiring harness and the kit I am looking at is wired for Chevy steering columns.

[Kent]

If anyone is looking to get a new steering column I have a certificate for 30% off from ididit inc. Their website is ididit inc. - Your Steering Column Specialist. PM me and I will send it to you as I have no plans to use it.

Kent

[DSRTRDR]

if you have a OEM Toyota steering wheel for a one-piece steering column left over after the switchover (with blinker and horn button assembly), I 'll gladly take it off your hands

[srgould41]

My FJ has a column shift at the moment. I ordered a floor shift kit. The steering wheel is cracked and the turn signal unit was replaced by some weird generic JC Whitney type repalcement.

I doubt you would want any of it.

Steve

[Downey]

I've never put a tilt column in an FJ40, so I'm the last guy on the planet to chime in, but I have gone through the aggravation of dealing with the FJ40 turn signal switch---which wires differently than anything else on earth---and will leave you with a wiring dilemma no matter which column you install. My gut feeling is the FJ60 column may be the path of least resistance??????

[4x4 Station Wagon]

You might consider a GMC "Jimmy" or Chev S-10 steering column. I got one out of an 89 Jimmy. Works great. Ignition, turn signals, wipers, and headlight dimmer all on the column and I got a tilt column to boot. The only thing I was unable to get fully operational was the wiper switch. I ended up with on/off only on the column switch and a toggle switch on the dash for high/low speed.

Handcannon was kind enough to post this on my thread to help me so i figured it may help you!

[7mag]

You might also consider a stainless column from Flaming River. They have several length available with and without shifter with a similar diameter. Its also nice since the wiring matches most GM aftermarket harnesses that are available.

[DSRTRDR]

Originally Posted by srgould41

My FJ has a column shift at the moment. I ordered a floor shift kit. The steering wheel is cracked and the turn signal unit was replaced by some weird generic JC Whitney type repalcement.

I doubt you would want any of it.

Steve

how about the horn button assembly then

BTW, I would also take any parts that can be removed from the steering box (not the column)

[xjnation]

Originally Posted by Downey

I've never put a tilt column in an FJ40, so I'm the last guy on the planet to chime in, but I have gone through the aggravation of dealing with the FJ40 turn signal switch---which wires differently than anything else on earth---and will leave you with a wiring dilemma no matter which column you install. My gut feeling is the FJ60 column may be the path of least resistance??????

I just finished putting a 62 series column in my 40. Not super easy. Required ALOT of cutting of the dash. The column itself is 4" shorter from the firewall to the wheel, and the wiring was fun. The wiring was by no means a nightmare, but definitely interesting. Another thing is the angle of the column is a bit different. Tilted up it is WAYYYY up, down not so much. Check my build thread for a few pics. Page 2, I think. HTH

[Coolerman]

Originally Posted by DSRTRDR

if you have a OEM Toyota steering wheel for a one-piece steering column left over after the switchover (with blinker and horn button assembly), I 'll gladly take it off your hands

Which part of the switch are you after? The part on the column with the turn signal arm or the switch at the bottom with the rod? I have the switch with the rod part if that's what you need?

[srgould41]

Cee Jay... you PM'd me, but your inbox is full so I cannot reply.

Steve

[rsc71]

Originally Posted by DSRTRDR

if you have a OEM Toyota steering wheel for a one-piece steering column left over after the switchover (with blinker and horn button assembly), I 'll gladly take it off your hands

what year you looking for,i have the whole thing out of a 69 that was colum shift(minus the steering wheel)

[Hiluxonian]

I'm after a complete standard column and ignition for my 45 because it simply hasn't got one and an ignition barrel for another if you're lucky in your search and don't mind posting it??

[srgould41]

I can attest to the turn signal wiring. Mine is still not correct and I don't know why. They work fine until the head lights turn on, then no left turn signal. I have no hazard lights either.

I am planning to do a full re-wire in the future, but I am not sure exactly how yet. I want a chevy 350 with fuel injection, so maybe a Painless kit? We shall see.

Originally Posted by Downey

I've never put a tilt column in an FJ40, so I'm the last guy on the planet to chime in, but I have gone through the aggravation of dealing with the FJ40 turn signal switch---which wires differently than anything else on earth---and will leave you with a wiring dilemma no matter which column you install. My gut feeling is the FJ60 column may be the path of least resistance??????

[cruiserjunkie]

If you go with an after market wiring kit go with a gm colum so it all plugs in. I keep mine's 77 c olum because I liked the look of the stock wheel but wish I had just went with a tilt colum and saved some head ach

[centerlineseal]

DSRTRDR, I have a complete column from a Mar '72 FJ40, floor shift, with wheel and turn signals. Send me a pm and maybe we can get it your way.

All other mudders, I'm planning on putting a Cadillac tilt/telescoping column in above mentioned 40. Anyone have intimate knowledge of such, how 'bout a pm?

Merry Christmas All!!

[handcannon]

Originally Posted by centerlineseal

All other mudders, I'm planning on putting a Cadillac tilt/telescoping column in above mentioned 40. Anyone have intimate knowledge of such, how 'bout a pm?

Merry Christmas All!!

Can you post up a pic of your Caddy column so we can see what it looks like? Then I can compare it to my Jimmy column.

Don

[jeffery_1965]

Well, I used a tilt column out of a '91 cherokee, as it is the same Saginaw column in a GM product, but it has a nice delay wiper system as well. The mount was a combination of the stock Cherokee mount with my stock '77 fj40 mount.

You can see my write-up on the wiring here: http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series...lt-column.html

Goog luck, and Merry Christmas.

Jeff

[nspctr1]

I had a cadillac column in my old 23 T Bucket I built a few years back but it was all chevy components so not that hard of a transition. The website that helped me was NTBA and the guys were alot of help... The space between driver and steering wheel is similar to that of a 40 which is where the telescoping column comes in handy...

GL

[Henry James the 47th]

I put a 60 series column into my 47. It is a pretty involved piece of work, and there is some dash and other sheet metal modifications necessary. I am really happy with the results! Here's the thread:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series...into-40-a.html

I didn't do it for the tilt feature - but for the purposes of getting more of the switches, like windshield wiper and hazard, closer to hand. The way I did it, I retained the aluminum mounting points on the 60's column, and thus have the safer collapsible column in case of a crash.

[rsc71]

the cadillac one sound sweet,i am trying to put in one out of a 89 blazer as that was the doner vehicle for the motor /trans.already running into issues with the brake pedal hitting the side of the collum

[abosely]

When the 40 is all apart (column removed) can the "tilt" or position of the column & wheel be adjusted?

As in, can the wheel can be positioned slightly lower or higher in relation to ones legs than stock then bolted in that position once finished? Not adjustable after its all put back together.

Is there much of a difference in the column of the 74'-79' FJ40 and the 80' & up FJ40 or Troopie's column?

Allen

[Pin_Head]

It would depend on the year of your cruiser. Before approximately 73, a GM would be more compatible with the wiring. After that, a Toyota column would be an easier swap from the wiring side of things.

[handcannon]

Originally Posted by rsc71

.already running into issues with the brake pedal hitting the side of the collum

I ran into the same thing with my Jimmy column. Rockcod has a thread going right now. "Pics of your tilt column mount" which is on page 2 of the 40 forum I believe. I hope it is still there, I'm taking muscle relaxants for a hip problem and fell asleep at the "wheel", it was there. I had posted some pics of my Jimmy column in posts # 23 -27, look particularly at posts # 26 & 27. Hopefully they are clear enough to see what my solution was. You will need a "hot wrench" or a buddy who has one. I pretended that I was a blacksmith and had good success.

Good luck, I really like my Jimmy column.

[rsc71]

yea my other 69 had one in it from the PO,can see where they bent the pedal over to clear.it apears to be a mid 70s column.i think i like it better then the 89