Rabbit ignition housing, switches and steering wheel into a Thing

Old Thing parts on the left and replacement Rabbit parts on the right.

What to get from the donor vehicle

- Steering wheel

- Turn signal and wiper switches

- Plastic ignition switch housing covers (it's a two piece deal)

- Ignition switch housing including the plastic bushing that goes between the shaft and bearing

- As much of the wiring from the donor vehicle as possible, especially the plastic plugs

Additional information

As far as I know these parts can come from '78 to '84 Rabbits and probably some newer years and other models too. I paid $38 for the complete column which included the U-jointed shaft. The complete Rabbit column shown here is for reference only and is not needed for this swap. The required parts can be removed from the column in the junkyard provided you have either the ignition key or a means to drill the ignition switch release hole. Otherwise the steering will be locked and the ignition switch housing will not come off. In that case you can get the whole column and remove the necessary parts at home.

The Bentley manuals for the Rabbit have the specifications for removing the ignition switch. Even if you have the Rabbit ignition key you will need to do this procedure if you want to use your old Thing ignition lock/key. The following steps start with the column already removed from the body. To find out how to disassemble and remove the ignition switch housing go to the '74 Thing ignition switch tech page and follow the instructions, then pull the outer tube out.

Part I: The mechanical portion of this conversion along with these pictures was completed in just under two hours

Rabbit column on top, Thing on the bottom.	Side view of both columns showing ignition housing clamp detail. Rabbit column is on top.

Note the difference between the two tabs. The Rabbit clamping bolt passes through the tab which is a better design.	The Rabbit ignition housing clamps onto the Thing column similarly to the original with the bolt passing behind the tab.

Note the interference between hi/low beam switch and tab on column that prevents the switch assembly from fully seating into the ignition housing. This is the one, slight, mechanical modification that has to be made to the Thing column.	Another view of this from the bottom.

I used a hacksaw to remove 3/8" as marked by the cross hatched area. This was a simple 5 minute step.	Remove the tape, debur the edges and clean the tube of any filings.

Reinstall ignition housing and add the switches to check the clearance. Remove the switches before installing the column into the vehicle.	Bottom side view showing clearance.

Install the column and ignition switch housing, leave the clamp screw loose until the steering wheel is on. Note the hole drilled where the ignition switch resides. This was done, per the Bentley manual, so I could get the Rabbit switch out and swap the Thing switch in.	Add the upper plastic cover and bolt the column to the underside of the dash. Next add the ignition, turn signal and wiper switches. I used the Rabbit plastic spacer (in hand) to press the Thing one back on.

Connect the wiring and install the lower plastic cover. The original ignition switch trim ring fits as before.	Add the steering wheel and tighten the ignition housing clapm bolt to complete the mechanical portion of the swap.