Well after a cold week in a chamber doing vehicle testing I was able to fly back and get some hours in this weekend.
I had to make some more dash modifications to fit my new steering column. I was originally going to use a GM hot rod column, but stumbled across an incredible deal on an older jeep cherokee tilt column. This column gives me the buttons for the horn, turn signals, wipers, wiper pump, high beams, hazards, and it also gives me the option of cruise control. Hopefully I can get the other parts for cruise control. It would be a nice feature.
Of course it will need to be freshened up and I am going to remove the key switch. I don't know why but I want a dash switch.
I think it fits well with the instrument cluster, and will look great once the wheel is wrapped in fresh leather.
I had to enlarge the notch for the column but I managed to work it out and keep an 1/8" gap all around. It will be filled with some foam tape to prevent crap from getting in between and keep it from rattling.
This allowed me to prototype the steering shaft. I now need to find one long enough. I had to stretch this one 12" to get it to fit, but it clears the motor mount by 1/2" so I am happy.
I also had to move the "foot" of the column, but my picture is really fuzzy. I had to move it up the column approximately 4 inches and change the angle to match the firewall. I extended the stock steering column mount down to mount to this column. After fitting it all in, I wish I would have raised the column another half inch in the dash. It doesn't sound like much, but it would have made my life a little easier as I enter and exit the vehicle. Of course it takes a lot of fabrication to get to where you can test it and at that point I decided to just keep going with where it was.
Also if anyone has a line on any of the 14 spoke grand wagoneer wheels I am hunting 2 but would by all 4. Someone decided that they wanted one of mine for scrap metal so I am down to three.