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Paddle Shifter Mod

25K views 89 replies 24 participants last post by  gitrdun 
#1 · (Edited)
#75 ·
You guys crack me up!

Made a bit of progress so far this holiday, but I had to take some family time too.

I was able to take apart a 12 and get some pics of the intermediate shaft connection to the 11-12 steering column. Although a different color they appear to be the same. Specs to come later, pics for now.



Pics of the 05 connection.



Here is what it has to connect to on the 12 column.



Now I just need to remove the 05 column and see what mods need to be done to the pieces to swap onto the 12 column and then what has to be done/fabricated to mount it up.

Then I will have a killer steering wheel and some paddle shifters!

After that I'm redesigning my dash and the wood will be turned into CF.
 
#76 ·
2005 Shaft specs: 0.7510 round dia./0.5630 flat dia.
2012 Shaft specs: 0.6915 round dia./ no flat.

The 2005 U-joint clamp still has more crushing room for the round part. Around 0.04, so that leaves 0.02 difference that I can make up using a slight mod to the clamp allowing it a full bite onto the '12 shaft.

Taking all this into account the '12 shaft will fit into the '05 intermediate shaft with a flat top and bottom ground into it at 0.5630 flat dia. All in all the 12 will fit.

Now I need to check and see what all has to be done to put a '05 clockspring on a '12 shaft. Once I clear that hurdle then it's time to create a mounting plate for the '12 and mount it up.
 
#77 ·
Well it just got a ton more complicated.

At this time I would like to thank all the engineers of the world for making shit WAY MORE COMPLICATED THAN IT HAS TO BE!

I'm not sure if they still teach the K.I.S.S. method, but they should have a refresher!

That being said here's where I'm at...

It would require several new parts to be prototyped and made in order to fit the '12 column into the '05, as the clock spring will not swap.

Here is a list of everything that I would need to create in order to swap the columns.

1. Cut the '05 columns clock spring mount off of the '05 column, bore it to fit the '12 columns outer tube and tap some set screws to mount it up. I would also have to shorten the '12 column's tube to allow the wheel to mount as the clock springs have a different depth vs shaft length.

2. CNC a key way into the '12 column's shaft to allow the '05 clock spring to know where it is positioned or the ESP and vehicle stability program is going to freak. The '12 has no key way, it's pressure fit.

3. CNC the rear of the '12 columns shaft to a 0.5630 flat dia. on the top and bottom to allow it to mount to the '05 intermediate shaft.

4. CNC a mounting plate for the 12 column to adapt to the 05 placement.

All of the above can be done, but it would be a huge amount of time and development costs.

Some would give up and call it a day, but I'm not built that way!

It will be done and here is how.

I plan to keep the '05 column and clock spring. My '05 wheel will become a donor and be milled down to create an adapter for the '12 wheel. This will be easier than starting from scratch as I will only need to mill the outside splines and taper stop.

Since I have the '12 column I know exactly what the specs of the splines are and can mill the outside of the '05 wheel to fit the '12 perfectly.

This will keep the '05 and '12 splines perfectly mated.

1 part and done!

Here are some '12 shaft and '05 shaft pics.







 
#79 ·
Dude, I think your girlfriend has been on your JG account. LOL :lol::cool:

and now back to the topic....

The 05 wheel has now been cut apart and we will see if the cast aluminum can survive a lathe and then a CNC mill.
 
#80 ·
another 59 grand and youll have the whole srt8
i admire youre perserverance but dont understand it.
guess ive fuked up too many things in the past trying to "make them better" so finally now im content to leave them as they were,or just pay someone else to endure the heartache.
carry on.....
 
#81 ·
Good luck at the mill Escape!! This is going to be sick once done, pity the 545RFE in the WJ is just 1-2-D or I'd be doing something like this. :D

Kennzz05; from my point of view there is just something about almost creating something yourself, totally unique. Either using parts from newer/other variations, fabricating stuff or just adding off-the-shelf mods.

Heck, I could have a 2005 Mercedes SL500 sitting in the driveway for the amount I've spent on my mods for my WJ at the moment.

If someone asked I wouldn't trade it for one free of charge though. I'm no where near done on this yet (could probably have a 2010 SL55 AMG by that time!) but when people start asking questions what you've done and they sense the time/effort/money you've put into something they begin to understand and respect why you done it, well sometimes...

I'm just in it to please myself not impress others - or I would've had the Benz now. :cool:
 
#83 ·
Good luck at the mill Escape!!

I'm just in it to please myself not impress others
Thanks man! I just love tearing stuff apart and making it better, if others like it that's even better.

:lol: :lol:
good stuff my man...
:thumbsup::cool:

So are you just leaving your WK sitting around without a stearing column or do you have an extra car that you are using throughout this whole mod? I really hope you arent putting it on and taking it off everytime u work on the damn thing
I have my wifes' TSX and my winter beater but the Jeep is all put back together and good to go.

Here's the kicker man.....

I ordered a junkyard steering wheel ($40 from LKQ and free delivery to my friends shop) thinking that I would use that one to mill down for the adapter. Then when it arrived it was in perfect condition so I am now driving around with a perfect 06 wheel and my original one is on the chopping block. :thumbsup:
 
#89 ·
I don't know why you can't see the vid..I'll figure somethin out. Try searching wk1 paddle shifters on youtube
 
#90 ·
Yeah I just searched that exact phrase and it worked. There is a DIY on cherokeesrt8dotcom. You can see how to do it there. There is a part that you may not feel comfortable with doing. Pm me and I can help you out
 
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