Steering column

[74roadbird]

I bought a steering column from a 73 Charger and out it into a 74 RoadRunner. Both were non-tilt cars. For some reason, in the RoadRunner, there is a large opening in the firewall. Am I missing a plate or.....?
I'll try to attach a couple of pics later.

[SureGrip]

I'm pretty sure there should be a plate with a bushing that the column sits in...lemme see if I can find a picture.

Looks like this...this is listed under RT Specialties for 71-74 E bodies, but should be the same as B-bodies.

[74roadbird]

Early in this post, I had a picture called "From Engine Compartment" that showed the steering column attaching to a coupler joint, and then to the steering gear box. The shop calls it the "rag joint". I can't find that particular coupler assembly in any of my manuals. They all show the steering column coupler going directly to the steering gear box. Do I have a wrong steering column? Supposedly, it is out of a 74 Charger and the gearbox is out of a 74 Roadrunner. Has anyone else got a coupler like this? If so, I'm trying to ID what the bolts are. I'm going to try to include a couple of closer up pics as well.

[74roadbird]

Some additional information. Turns out, based on the hoses it takes, the power steering pump is probably out of a '71 rather than a '74. Did they use the coupler ("rag joint")? If so, anyone know where I can get the part number of the bolts and where I can get some?

[RS23U1E]

I don't know the answer to that - but I do know who I would ask: http://www.firmfeel.com/
They know lots about mopar steering. I have dealt with them and am impressed.

[gcoupe72]

In my experience, '73 up b bodies got the "rag joint". It's because the K member is isolated from the structure of the car with rubber mounts. Now if you replace the mounts with the solid ones, you could eliminate the extra joint.

[74roadbird]

I gave Firm Feel a shout, so we'll see where that goes. As for the "rag joint" being in '73 and up: I have a body and chassis manual for the '74, and a Plymouth shop manual for it, but neither shows a rag joint anywhere. That's what threw me, because the guy I got the column from said it was out of a 73 or 74 Charger, but it didn't have the joint either.

[1971SSP]

I can tell you a 73 Charger SE does have a rag joint. I found an NOS one to replace the worn out one in my brothers charger just a few months ago. I call it the hockey puck. Not a 71/72 thing, but for sure 73.

[74roadrunner440]

my 74 roadrunner uses a ragjoint type steering n what i found out they only used it in 74 73 runners did not i dont know y they use this type joint the older type worked just fine n the joint is exspensive if u can find it i belive firm feel sells them for around 80.00 hope this helps

[74roadbird]

Thanks everybody! That clears a few things up.