Supporting early steering column at firewall for PS conversion

[SouthBostonFJ40]

I have the stock early one piece steering shaft on my 71. The shaft is inside a tube that runs from the steering wheel all the way into the manual steering box. Once I remove the manual box and install the mini truck box, I have to cut the shaft and tube back and the tube will no longer be supported by the box. What have people done to secure the tube? I was thinking about installing a bracket at the firewall with two U bolts to hold it. Any ideas?

 

[miker]

The u-bolt idea would probably work.

Another one: Not an early 40 column, but perhaps you could do something similar as what I did to support an aftermarket chevy style column. It's a piece of 1/8" plate and some tubing. Tubing is sliced in 2 places to create a clamp on 1/2 of the tube to hold the column. This bolts to the stock holes in the firewall. For this column which is 2" diameter, I did have to cut out a small portion in the firewall for it to fit:

 

[TCinVA]

I don't have a picture, but Cruiser Outfitters has a plate that bolts to the firewall with an oblong hole that fits the tube perfectly. I used it on my '72 conversion, he has all kinds of pieces, check it out.

 

[miker]

Installed:

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

I don't have a picture, but Cruiser Outfitters has a plate that bolts to the firewall with an oblong hole that fits the tube perfectly. I used it on my '72 conversion, he has all kinds of pieces, check it out.

Thanks! I just called Kurt and got fixed up. Here's what I bought.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Installed:

That's a nice clean install. Flaming River column?

 

[miker]

That's a nice clean install. Flaming River column?

Summit Racing brand column. About 1/2 the price of a Flaming River one. We'll see how it holds up over time.

 

[65swb45]

The firewall anchor and bronze bushing Downey Off Road used to offer are still available thru me as well.

Alex, did you look at Bandicoot's thread where he modded the under-dash hangers to get a better angle on the column? I did the same on the 45.

Best

Mark A.

 

[FJ40Jim]

Mark A, got a linky to Bandicoot's post?
You've piqued my interest, but search comes up w/ zip.

 

[Toyota Pilot]

Check out this thread... https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/411380-steering-shaft-support-bearing.html

 

[franklin40]

recalling an old thread here. i’ve just bought a firewall support plate for my early 72 fj40 mini truck power steering conversion. does this support plate go on the inside the cab or on the engine compartment side of the firewall?

 

[65swb45]

See post #4

 

[franklin40]

different steering column. it was an aftermarket one with a different style of plate so didn’t know if this plate worked the same.

this is the one i ordered. so it essentially works the same way? i just weld my tube to the plate?