Steering Column from a Grand Cherokee

[buckwheat]

I was reading some older threads that said a column from a 94 Cherokee could be used in my 1987 Comanche. The reason I am interested in this is to get a single key for the entire truck. I already have the 97+ doors, and I figured with a 94 column I could get matching keys. Only issue is the junkyard closest to me has lots of grand cherokees and few regular cherokees. So can I use a column from a grand cherokee (year range?) in place of the cherokee?

 

Also, any other parts I should keep my eye out for? I know that is a terribly general question, but I am also a terrible noob at junkyard crawls. Thanks for the help guys.

[Eagle]

I don't think a ZJ (Grand Cherokee) column will be an easy adaptation. It certainly won't be a direct bolt-in. The reason the swap is for XJs up to 1994 is that in 1995 Chrysler changed the XJ steering column to incorporate air bags. The '94 and older are the standard Saginaw column so they can be easily swapped into a Comanche. The ZJ came out in 1993 and I believe they all used the Chrysler column with the air bag.

[buckwheat]

Eagle,

 

Thanks for the info. I got lucky in the junkyard and pulled a column from a 91 XJ cherokee. Now to find the time to install it and get it keyed the same as my doors.

[Rockfrog]

The HO columns had the IGN switch oriented upside down and backwards to the earlier Renix versions. When you go to connect the blue and black IGN switch connectors you may need to flip the plugs around. The column I used in my 88 was a 92 and my spare 93 column is the same ... a 91 may actually use the earlier switch connector arrangement, but just so you know.

And if swapping stick to 93 down, the wiring connectors on the 94's changed making a bit more work to fit them in.

[HOrnbrod]

The 91-93 ignition switches are the same.

[buckwheat]

Thanks for the info guys. It will be nice to go down to one key again.

 

One thing I noticed is the steering wheel has a cover on it, presumably because the original covering was worn down. Its all fairly disgusting right now. Is there someway to recover the steering wheel, back to factory style condition? I was thinking to cut off all the material that is there and rewrap it with tennis racket tape. Anyone have a better solution? 

[Minuit]

Honestly I'd just look for another wheel in better shape, but I like things to look factory. 

[gogmorgo]

Put your old steering wheel back on?

[Minuit]

Or that.

[75sv1]

I do have a '95 GC in my '88 MJ. It is just placed in there and not wired up. It does fit. I think I had to get the rubber piece for the fire wall from an XJ. From memory it does give about an 1" to 1-1/2' bit more room. I could look at it again if needed. I am not sure how the steering shaft worked out. I think I got it in there.

Oops. OP was XJ and the next post said ZJ.