Installing a SM420 behind a Dauntless

Last night I started to investigate what was going to be required to get my steering tightened up. When I built the Jeep I used a steering column out of a 1978 CJ-7 (which it actually is just a GM column.) I found that the lower column shaft bearing was gone. I removed what was left of the inner and outer bearing races. This morning I found that Quadratec offers a "lower column bearing kit". This kit includes all parts needed to make it like new again. They actually offer kits from 2 different manufacturers, Crown and Omix. The Crown kit is a few dollars more but since I have never liked the quality of most Omix stuff I ordered the Crown parts.

I really don't want to put the engine back in till I have the steering back together. It just gets really tight to work down in the corner with the engine sitting there so until the column parts show up I will starting making my components for my new clutch control.

Pretty nice Allen, and so far it's looking just like the Buschert chain control !

I got some more work in on my roller chain clutch control yesterday. I think all that is left is to make the sprocket cover (which I will do today) and install it in the Jeep once I know exactly where everything is going to end up after the engine and transmission are installed. I plan to use carriage bolts to mount it to the frame to try and make is as snag resistant as possible.

My steering column parts should be delivered today according to USPS tracking. I will get it put together tomorrow morning and the install the engine and tranny.

You make it look so easy!  

Nice job so far. I have a 46 with Dauntless, waiting for another T18, but also planning another T-18 swap into a early five. Keep going, your getting much closer to done.

Ol' Unreliable wrote: Is there any special reason you didn't remove the front fenders to do this?

The thought had crossed my mind on numerous occasions. It would have made some stuff a bit easier. To be completely honest, what kept me from doing it is I would have had to clean all my tools off of them!

Installed the driveshaft last night with my fingers crossed that it would be at too steep of an angle causing it to bind. Turned out good. The photos below show the rear shaft angle with the rear axle at full droop. I had the jack under the rear bumper with both tires about an inch off the ground.

I realized its been a while since my last update. I have gotten the following things done:

-Exhaust on the driver side is done (I haven't installed the muffler on the passenger side.)

-Everything wired/hooked back up to the engine.

-Installed new electric fan. (I was using a mechanical fan and decided I wanted to try a thermostat controlled electric fan. If I don't like it I will go back to the mechanical fan.)

-Installed my old carburetor. (I am changing to the Motorcraft 2150 but don't have everything for it yet so just threw the old one on so I can go for a test drive.)

-Installed my new homemade roller chain clutch control

So all I have left is the following:

-Weld new tube in the front driveshaft and install it.

-Build the new transmission cover.

-Install new Motorcraft 2150 Carburetor

I was able to take it for a test drive yesterday evening after finishing a few things on it. I really like the 85:1 crawl ratio. I think it will be adequate... maybe. As for my homemade roller chain clutch control, it works very smooth. It is a huge upgrade from the factory bell crank control.

I had a real busy weekend so I was happy to meet my goal of taking it for a drive this weekend. I was busy because Friday morning at 5:20 in the morning I got a call from the sheriffs department asking if my parents were home. I told them the were in NYC with my daughter on a trip before school starts back up. I asked why they needed to know and he responded with "Their house is on fire and we need to know if anyone is home." I had taken them to the airport so all their vehicles were there so when they got on scene they thought people were in the house. Thankfully that wasn't the case. I then had to make the very hard call to let my parents know that the house was on fire and it was going to be a complete loss. If you guys will take the time to say a little prayer for them they could use it. It's all just "things" but a lot of "things" were family heirlooms that came across in boat with my great-great grand parents. That stuff and pictures can't be replaced. Below are a few pictures to show what their house looked like before and now after the fire. The photo was taken from the same spot in the yard. The 3rd photo is standing where their front porch was looking into the basement.







Edited by AKoller - 20 Aug. 2019 at 3:47pm

That's so sad.....such a picturesque home.

Sorry for their (and your) loss.