Been awhile since I posted. I have put turn signals on the headlights, installed bed roll lights and figured out the steering connection. I had to use a combination of the Dakota steering shaft coupled from a donor older Mopar as I needed a bit more length since the new firewall is back farther than the original Dakota firewall. By using both the shafts, I was able to increase the length, but still have the sliding feature that accounts for flex between the frame and body. Also, the Dakota shaft has a damper on the base by the rack and pinion, so I don't have to use a rag joint dampener. I had to move the steering column a bit to gain the needed clearance from the exhaust manifold, but since it is a tilt column I could put a little angle on it without anybody being the wiser. I also found a 1 inch ID / 2 inch OD heavy duty bearing to put in the column since I have to have a few inches sticking out in the breeze to gain the clearance. This will hold up to any load on the steering shafts. And if anybody in curious, the wheel is from a Plymouth Neon. I am using the steering column from the Dakota because the left stalk is the turn signals, wiper/washer control and headlight dimmer, and the column has a four way flasher built in. Since I am using the Dakota wire harness, I figured this was the easiest way to get it all done.
