The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 65 automatic trans steering column

I have a 1965 short bed step side that's had a 350 V8 and a TH350 transmission installed. When I purchased the truck it had a floor mounted Hurst shifter. I'd like to move the shifter to the column. I do not believe the power steering is original to the truck, it may not even be original to a truck, but it works. I've looked into aftermarket steering columns but they cost a fortune. Oh, and I want to keep the original steering wheel. So, it occurred to me I may be trying to reinvent the wheel so to speak. Is there another steeringcolumn that will fit that I can use to shift the TH350 with my original steering wheel? I guess the other option, any recommendations on an aftermarket column?

Folks have been putting Junk Yard steering columns in these trucks for many years. Do some measuring then take your tape to the closest Pull-A-Part yard. For some reason a Chevy van comes to mind.🛠

Vans columns where popular because the ignition switch was not moved to the column until late eighties I believe. I believe the steer shafts where 2 pieces to collapse in a front end collision, so you can adjust the length. If it has a 3 speed column in it now you can weld the relay to one of the shift levers and fab a linkage for it. that way is not as popular as it used to be. You could also find an automatic column from another 64-66 truck.

Did they come with automatic transmissions?

I had to dig up my service manuals. Yep, aluminum powerglide for the 10-20 trucks, and powermatic for the medium and heavy duty trucks.

Personally I have never seen one of these trucks with a factory automatic. That would be a cool sight to see.

My old 1963 C10 was a factory Powerglide automatic when I bought it. I ended up putting a TH400 in it and everything in the shift linkage bolted up. I had to move the rear crossmember back to match the transmission mount, but the shift linkage worked just fine.

These trucks had Automatics in them, not all, but quite a few.

You still haven't seen one in person but here is a picture. Note it also has factory a/c.

[img]https://i.postimg.cc/F7sR7VYD/car-show-Gerald-s-024.jpg[/img]

I'm actually on the opposite end....I have a '66 short-bed, step-side C10 that has been set up with a 350 & a 200R4 with the shift on the column, and I'd really like to go to a floor-shift 4-speed manual transmission. If I do, maybe we could swap steering columns!

Here's how mine looks....obviously not the stock steering wheel; I am not sure but I doubt it's the original column either.