upside down steering wheel

[Govern]

The previous owner did the jeep xj steering shaft swap, and i think while the shaft was out he spun the wheel upside down. The alignment is perfect steering is great. Its just the steering wheel is upside down and really annoying.

is there an easy way to fix this? do I have to disconnect the steering shaft and turn the wheel?

[Oldriginal86]

Pull the steering wheel off and rotate it 180.

[Govern]

haven't rented a steering wheel puller bc i read the wheel only goes on one way. Anyone else

[Wrecked1982]

im not sure if the horn wire will let the steering be mounted at anyplace ,but others will correct me

[bdiamond]

Pull the xj shaft, grind a small divot in the bottom of the column for the bolt to go through opposite where its done now.

[Govern]

Your talking about this part right? So slid the shaft down spin the steering wheel and rebolt the shaft on?

Originally Posted by bdiamond

Pull the xj shaft, grind a small divot in the bottom of the column for the bolt to go through opposite where its done now.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by Oldriginal86

Pull the steering wheel off and rotate it 180.

Can't do that. The stub for the horn wire is fixed on the splines and has to line up with the corresponding hole in the steering wheel.

[bdiamond]

Originally Posted by Govern

Your talking about this part right? So slid the shaft down spin the steering wheel and rebolt the shaft on?

Not quite that easy... You'll have to grind a notch to reinstall the bolt, but yes, that's what needs to happen.

[bnoon]

Boy I'll bet the previous owner that installed that was cussing himself!!!

[special-K]

What's up with "the XJ steering shaft swap" anyway? New one on me.

[gramps77]

Originally Posted by special-K

What's up with "the XJ steering shaft swap" anyway? New one on me.

Holy cow, more than 45K posts and a new one for Special-K. enlighten me as well please. What is this XJ mod?

[Your41Plague12]

Originally Posted by gramps77

Holy cow, more than 45K posts and a new one for Special-K. enlighten me as well please. What is this XJ mod?

It eliminates the factory rag joint on your steering shaft, which in turn eliminates a lot of the typical steering play in these trucks. From what I hear it makes a world of difference.

[Govern]

I really cant believe how nice the truck handles w/ the swap. upside down steering wheel is annoying. Is loosening the pitman arm and turning the wheel then reattaching the pitman arm another option? I dont really want to drop the shaft and grind another notch on the column.

[tylervalo]

I did it on my previous truck, it provides more positive feedback.

[87chevy.com]

could you post some pictures of this shaft installed.. say close up of each end and an overall pic?
thanks,
clint

[bdiamond]

Originally Posted by Govern

Is loosening the pitman arm and turning the wheel then reattaching the pitman arm another option? I dont really want to drop the shaft and grind another notch on the column.

The pitman arm idea wont work either. You'll have to pull it. Its not that big of deal to fix it. I did mine with a Dremel, but a regular grinder will fit in there if you're careful. It doesn't need much notch, .060 maybe?

[special-K]

Huh,never felt there was any issue with any trucks I've had. Slop? What slop?

[Tx Firefighter]

For those who don't want to go with an XJ shaft swap, I wrote an article the other day about rebuilding the stock GM rag joint to alleviate any slop that's grown over the years and miles.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=614332

[Irish1941]

The Jeep joint or XJ swap as it's called is, like others said to eliminate the rag joint. Comes from the 84-92 plain Jeep Cherokee.
Grand Cherokee used different steering shaft.

Instead of the rubber rag joint, it's two u-joints, slip shaft and an isolator.
It's nearly a bolt on, The lower joint slips on the steering box and the upper will go the column but you need to make a groove in the column shaft for the pinch bolt to pass through. Takes all of 20 minutes to swap in. Best thing I ever did to my trucks.
A friend did it to his 2wd 502 SB and he isn't nice to his truck. Said night and day difference in steering wheel response.
I can post some pictures tomorrow if need be.

[gramps77]

Originally Posted by special-K

Huh,never felt there was any issue with any trucks I've had. Slop? What slop?

Mine doesnt either.
Would this be more helpful with manual steering trucks?
My power steering is great. In fact, its almost TO EASY. can steer with a pinky if you want and very responsive.

This looks to be something similar to the set up I installed in my 65 Nova when I did a rack and pinion swap

[Billy81]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

For those who don't want to go with an XJ shaft swap, I wrote an article the other day about rebuilding the stock GM rag joint to alleviate any slop that's grown over the years and miles.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=614332

I wish i would of found this sooner it would of saved me $80

[motornut]

replaceing the Rag joint sure helped tighten my 78 up BUT
dorman aftermarket replacement left mine upside down
called ,
them: shouldn't happen,first they seen it...
me: ok but the keyway is on the wrong side....
them: steering box musta been changed?
Me: I don't think so
them: just turn the wheel around....
me: No,nothing was turned,and the wheel can't be,cause of the horn
and I ordered others to check,same part #/same way
other part# different size...
here it is,
it's listed ,says fits 78 Jimmy
(note: was told pic is just simular,not the one)(bolt direction is right in pic tho)
"check fit" not found....
and yes it drives fine,just very annoying
they never even mentioned the "kit" fix

[Tx Firefighter]

The only reason I chose to rebuild my coupler versus replacing was that it was about 40-50 dollars cheaper. I guess I just lucked out when I chose that route. Dorman definitely crapped the bed when they cast their replacement as seen in the pictures above.

My coupler rebuild article looks to be a dud. I had written it up as the first of a series of "Back to Basics" articles but there was an issue with moderation and it got renamed and screwed up. I had hoped to do an entire series of short tech articles, all entitled "Back to Basics - (Fill in the blank)........" .

[boatpuller]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

For those who don't want to go with an XJ shaft swap, I wrote an article the other day about rebuilding the stock GM rag joint to alleviate any slop that's grown over the years and miles.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=614332

Yes, I agree...If you got slop the rag joint needs relaced or your steering box is worn depending on your definition of slop. They didn't come from the factory needing a "swap". The swap is accomplishing the same thing that a new rag joint would.

[Billy81]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I had hoped to do an entire series of short tech articles, all entitled "Back to Basics - (Fill in the blank)........" .

After following some of your builds i think it would be a terrific idea i am sure quite a few of us could learn a lot from it. Your attention to detail is impeccable anyone who doesn't know what i am talking about should take the time to read through Tx's build threads.