MJ interior swaps.

[JM’s89MJ]

I just bought a 89 MJ I wanting to replace the bench seat with buckets, and also add a tilt steering column. It has the automatic with column shift. Is there a column that will swap or do I need to make it a floor shift. And which bucket seats are the best to try and fit in it. I know there will be some fabrications to doing it.  But any suggestions or past experience would be appreciated.  Thanks  

[AZJeff]

The column from a Cherokee of similar years will fit just fine, and most XJ's had floor shift, even as an automatic.   When you scoop up the column, you can also get the console and the floor shift assembly at the same time.

 

Cherokee buckets will also work, but you might need to do a bit of adapting to the floorpan.  The only problem I see is that a seat that old might be in rough shape.   Depending on your budget, a new seat intended for XJ's might be the best (most comfortable, best looking) choice.

[HOrnbrod]

4 hours ago, JM’s89MJ said:

I just bought a 89 MJ I wanting to replace the bench seat with buckets, and also add a tilt steering column. It has the automatic with column shift. Is there a column that will swap or do I need to make it a floor shift.

 

There were column shift MJs and XJs with tilt, but they were very rare. The only one I've ever seen (online) was in a 91 XJ Police model that had a front bench seat. So if you want tilt, you'll need to go to a floor shifter. 

[Minuit]

You can get a tilt steering column that has a column shifter, but they are very rare. I converted my 91 MJ from bench/column shift to bucket/floor shift. My goal was an exact OEM appearance as if the truck came from the factory with bucket seats and a floor shifter. I used all OEM parts and did no fabrication. It's by far the most worthwhile thing I did on the truck.

 

The bucket seats are the only hard part of this. The easy way is to find the floor brackets from an MJ with bucket seats. They show up every now and then, and will allow you to bolt on 1984-1994 manual Cherokee seats with absolutely no fab work. The seat and the floor mounting bracket are separate and can be unbolted with about 10 minutes of work. You can also modify bench seat brackets to fit bucket seats. There are a few articles in the DIY Project Index in my signature that explain how.

 

You want a tilt column from an automatic Cherokee from 1994 or earlier. It will bolt in to your MJ with no other modifications. If you want to keep your old key, this becomes a little more complicated. If you don't care, just bolt the column in. All of the column shift stuff in your truck is attached to the column. You will need to remove the cable that goes from the base of the steering column to the transmission and add a plug where the column shift cable went through the firewall.

 

The shifter assembly needs to also come from an automatic Cherokee 1994 or earlier. It can be the same XJ you get the column from. You need the two cables that come out of the shifter. There is one cable that goes from the shifter to the transmission, and one cable that goes from the shifter to the steering column. That cable prevents you from taking the key out when you aren't in park. No fab work is required, as your MJ will have a block-off plate where the shifter would be. You just have to install the shifter where the blockoff plate was. The floor shifter cable will be routed from the shifter, through a hole on the base of the transmission tunnel on the driver side, and then curved around to the transmission. Your MJ should have the hole this cable passes through already.

 

This is a quick rundown, I can give you more details if you need them.

[Dzimm]

I have a tilt column shift that came in my 90 Eliminator.  It's a little sloppy but not too bad.  It's the gray color and pretty dirty from sitting in the shed.  I'm willing to sell it but have no idea how to go about shipping it at a decent price.  

[Jeep Driver]

With the intermediate shaft gone and the wheel removed and lying flat..............

 

Over sized box and weight, depending on where it's going, expect to pay $35-$45 shipping. 

 

 

I swapped with a tilt column only because it was available, it's in the non-tilt position, and it will remain there. Cool to have.........I guess..........but not an end-all be-all.

The slop is easily fixed, do it before you install. Kind of intimidating but once you do one, nothing to it. 

[johnj92131]

My 91 has the tilt column and column shift.  Had the slop problem fixed 10 years ago and have not used the tilt wheel feature since. 

 

Just about a useless feature in my not so humble opinion.

[HOrnbrod]

23 hours ago, johnj92131 said:

My 91 has the tilt column and column shift.  Had the slop problem fixed 10 years ago and have not used the tilt wheel feature since. 

 

Just about a useless feature in my not so humble opinion.

 

It looks like tilt column shifters are more common than I thought. And a useless feature that eventually causes problems, I agree. About as useful as an ECO light.  

[dasbulliwagen]

Would a Saginaw column from an '80's '90's GM product with tilt and column shift swap in easily or are they different lengths? Might be easier to find one of those. There is one in the my '94 Camaro donor car. Gm used those things forever.

[HOrnbrod]

2 hours ago, dasbulliwagen said:

Would a Saginaw column from an '80's '90's GM product with tilt and column shift swap in easily or are they different lengths? Might be easier to find one of those. There is one in the my '94 Camaro donor car. Gm used those things forever.

 

Since you have a Camaro and an MJ, can't you measure them both? I'd sure like to know if they are the same lengths.

[dasbulliwagen]

2 hours ago, HOrnbrod said:

 

Since you have a Camaro and an MJ, can't you measure them both? I'd sure like to know if they are the same lengths.

 Maybe someday, when I do the swap. I know its been covered that we can swap steering wheels from GM Saginaw columns, I just wondered if a whole column had been swapped as well. I know at least the upper parts are the same, never seen if the same below or not. 

[Minuit]

Does the firewall flange at the base of the column look like a Jeep column? My guess would be that the Jeep engineers designed around the existing Saginaw column and didn't make many changes. The biggest difference I would expect would be the positions of the bracketry.

 

For what it's worth, in my extremely unhumble opinion I like having a tilt wheel.

[rynoshark]

What is the preferred front seat setup?  I have maroon buckets in my 87 and was switching to bench (to seat 3), but it appears that most go the other direction!  For the bench seats, is there a way to install a shoulder belt for the center seating position?

[Dzimm]

On 6/11/2018 at 2:16 PM, rynoshark said:

What is the preferred front seat setup?  I have maroon buckets in my 87 and was switching to bench (to seat 3), but it appears that most go the other direction!  For the bench seats, is there a way to install a shoulder belt for the center seating position?

I've never seen that done before but I'm sure it's possible.  The thing about it tho is that the top of the belt needs to be mounted above the shoulder.  If its mounted below the person's shoulder and you get into an accident, it will tighten and compress their spine.  This is why all shoulder belts are mounted high in the B-Pillar.  I don't understand how companies can get away with the belts that feed into the top of the seat, they all sit lower than my shoulder (I'm 6'4) so I sit slouched slightly so I'm under it.  Read up on it for more detail. 

 

You certainly could take a shoulder belt assembly from an XJ and it would work just fine but you would need to make a bracket that stuck up from behind the seat about halfway up the rear window to mount the top of the belt. 

[75sv1]

I did put in a steering column from a 95 GC. Or at least fitted it in. I have not wired it yet. I'd have to check if it has tilt. It fits into the rubber boot or gasket to the firewall. It  bolts to the flange of the old steering column. It seems about an inch or two shorter. That is Ok with me, as it fits me better. I switched from a bench to buckets.

[rynoshark]

Thanks Dzimm.  I will see what I can figure out, if there is a safe way for mounting.  Given the rear window it may be impossible and I'm not sure structurally what is under the roof to safely mount a belt to.

[rynoshark]

Which is more desired?  Bench or bucket seats?

[omega_rugal]

2 hours ago, rynoshark said:

Which is more desired?  Bench or bucket seats?

 

buckets are more comfortable to some, i prefer bench seats...

[krustyballer16]

I make MJ seat brackets so you can directly mount most XJ buckets to.
Other seats will mount to them with possible fabrication.

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[MuddFoot]

Wish I knew that a year ago. I made some for my Dakota seats pima

I make MJ seat brackets so you can directly mount most XJ buckets to.
Other seats will mount to them with possible fabrication.

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[krustyballer16]

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