On a '46 CJ-2A the steering column is a bit too lengthy to easily or comfortably drive. Also, the stomach hits the wheel. /wwwthreads_images/icons/frown.gif My question is what would be better, shortening the steering column, or cutting the rear left fender out so the seat will go back further. [question] If I was to do either, what would be the best method to complete the tasks? Has anybody else had this problem with their jeep? TIA /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif
/wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif'46 CJ 2-A Rusty, but still fun to drive and easy to work on./wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif
/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif There are a lot of Jeeps out there with trimmed wheel houses in order to get the seats to go farther back. It seems to be the way to do it. HOWEVER...doesn't your Jeep have an underseat fuel tank? That may be a problem. You could also consider a tilt steering column, or like you mentioned shorthening the one you have. I have shortened several steering columns in trucks and pickups doing interchanges, and it isn't that tough. You cut the mast jacket with a pipe cutter to get nice true ends, then do the same with the hollow stem. Weld them back up using a vee block and reassemble./wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif
CJDave
Quadra-Trac modified by the crack moonguy/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif transfer case team.
CJDave, thanks for the help. One question though. What exactly is a vee block? I understand everything else. thanks for the help. /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif
/wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif'46 CJ 2-A Rusty, but still fun to drive and easy to work on./wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif
redbeard, I think I can answer that for CJDave. A vee block is a chunk of metal with a deep v-shaped groove in it. You lay the two
halves of the cut coluum in the groove, butt the ends together, clamp them tightly and then weld. Did I get it right Dave?
Is it possible to make new seat brackets that drop the seat a couple of inches? That might give you the extra room you need.
I did this with my 87yj when I put in seats form a 91 Mituibishi Exlipse. Now if I could just get enough time to finish up my engine install.
Robert87yj/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif
engine rebuild w/4.0 head done, now for the MPI
I know what you mean about a rough and tight ride. How about getting a smaller steering wheel? Power steering would be a most excellent add on.
Just Jeep It,
chase
Unfortunately the steering wheel is already pretty small. It is not the origional. And again, unfortunately I can not lower the seat because it sits on the gas tank which is about an inch underneath the seat. I will see if I can get the wheel shortened a few inches. I have got the pipe cutter, welder, and grinder to do that job. When and if I cut the wheelwell in order to move the seat back. what methods are there for extending the base of the seat? What I was thinking is to cut the pipe frame and add a six inch length in order to move the back of the seat back. I should be able to leave the front brackets alone shouldn't I?
/wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif'46 CJ 2-A Rusty, but still fun to drive and easy to work on./wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif
/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif When I did those steering column chop jobs, I gas-welded them. Because they were round and sort of small, it was easier for me to get a good substantial weld around them with a torch because I could see what I was doing and control my deposit better. The mast jacket was thin tube so I welded it like I did exhaust pipe. My vee block was an angle iron welded to a piece of channel./wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif
CJDave
Quadra-Trac modified by the crack moonguy/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif transfer case team.
on my cj2a I had to do both, cut the wheel and mess with the steering column.
On the fender if you cut one you need to cut both to keep a uniform look, but you cannot get much room here due to the wheel travel in the wheelhouse.
On the column I cut the holding bracket and pulled up toward the windshield.
about the gas tank, I installed a postal under the rear deck, so everything under the seat is open.
brownbagg
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