The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Looking for option for auto steering column for my '66

Hey Guys, what are my options. I have a '66 C-10 with 3 on the tree. Moving to a 700r over the winter. What are my options for an automatic steering column? I would purchase an ididit but I really want to keep my original steering wheel. What other years steering columns will work in the truck with minimal changes?

Someone said you could just bolt your oe steering wheel to an ididit, but their website says that won't work??

Also, some say that 70's models chevy vans interchange well.

Wanted to check in with the experts.

Thanks

jtroberts,

You can find a bunch of helpful info using Searching Stovebolt . Just enter "700R4" into the search box and you will be able to peruse existing threads with 700R4 info.

Also came across this link 700R4 steering column info that has a very large amount of reference material, tips and some pictures directly related to your 700R4 steering column question in one form or fashion.

Others will probably add their own experiences and hands on knowledge as they can.

Interested to see what you come up with to get this job done.

Wow - the price for the ididit seems to be a bit steep - especially with all the extras you need.

A column out of a 70-72 Chevy van should work just fine, including you original steering wheel.

Frank

JT,

Check your PMs when you get a chance.

I like the steering columns from the mid to late '80's GM vans/trucks, El Caminos for my builds, have used them on four or five vehicles.
I like tilt columns with all of the controls for lights, dimmer, etc., incorporated into the column.
If you are considering power steering, do not use an original steering wheel, they are two big which will result in over steer.
A really nice trick, I have used on several 1960 model GM trucks is to switch the front cross member to one from a later truck, 1971 to 83, power disk brakes and power steering.. A direct swap, 16 bolts, two of which the holes have to be elongated. An afternoon job.
I have a '98 5.7 Vortec w/4L60 trans and a '98 front cross member bolted into my '64 C-10. The rear end is a '98 HD ten bolt with 3.43 gearing.. 2,100 rpms @ 70 mph.. Wm

I found a couple of automatic steering columns (65 and 66), does anyone know if the steering shaft inside the columns are the same in both the manual and auto 2-wheel drive trucks? The guy wants to send me just the complete column less the shaft.

Will a '64 auto column that was used with a powerglide work with my '66 with a 700r4

I used a Lokar Nostalgic long stick. Looks like the old 4 speed and works great. Use any column then.

jt,

After a search through GMpartswiki this linked page indicates there were two different Overall Length (O.L.) steering shafts:

SHAFT ASSY, steering gear, with worm for 63-66 Series 10-30 trucks.

Have added a pic below with those items marked for easy viewing.

As indicated, the two shafts appear to be different due to the length. You will need to measure your existing unit and compare to what the seller is trying to offer to see if they are the same.

Hope this is helpful???

Dan

Thanks for the additional info Bartamos & Dan, I appreciate it very much

I have been told this is a 1971 Chevy steering column by people with the next gen chevy trucks:

next gen steering column

It was in there when I bought it, so no idea how it was installed, but it is a straight, non tilt column with the automatic shift on it.

My transmission is a TH350 3 speed automatic.

Some of the vendors have the replacement shifter indicators available if you go to a 4 speed automatic such as a 700r4.

-Woog

Woogeroo,
That's very interesting, but I'm thinking there had to be some serious modifications considering I've never heard of anyone else doing this. Does your truck have the key on the column?

Thanks

Pretty sure some of this is right. This info was in my locked garage next to my 46 CJ2a. Some in a locker at my AA meeting leader's Gym. I like to keep important things in safe places.

To Wit:
Any column could be bolted to your truck with its's brackets or your brackets or a combo or fab. Any GM steering wheel fits any GM column.
You will need to figure out the crossmember for trans, probably remove the old trans cross member. Remove the clutch pedal. You will need an "automatic" radiator....and a kickdown TV cable and brackets. Neutral safety switch.

The 700 came out in 1982, maybe a donor 4 speed column from that era would be smart. It would have the throw, the linkage and the indicator.

The 80's square body linkage will start with a rotating movement at the column which will operate a reciprocal motion lever to a "bell crank" which rotates a lever which is coupled to the 700r4 and rotates the trans shift shaft. (available on ebay sometimes)

You can use floor shifters as I mentioned earlier. A Lokar 4 speed look-alike or a Hurst style.

There are also cable shift kits to bypass all the linkage and can be operated by the column. That would be the overall easiest method for an automatic column. It may be possible to rig one of those to a 3 on tree lever.

........and there are rod arm kits from the column to the 700r4. One rod, some brackets. This could be even easier than the cable.

The hookup to the steering box of a donor column is a separate issue but plenty doable.

Any donor column turn signal switch will wire up.

You can still use the dash key if you wind up with a column key. I did that once, used the column key to lock column and dash key to start. You could shave off the column key boss and plug it.

Tilt is nice.

All this info is given Pro Bono and Por Solo Una Luna.

More interesting stuff from Bartamos, thanks....I have always heard that you will not be able to use your original steering wheel if you go to one of these later model columns, certainly not if you use an aftermarket column. That is why I preferred the '64-66 column.

As luck would have it, I have found an automatic steering column out of a '66 truck, so I think I'm in business. I did not want to do any fab work, not my specialty for sure. Definitely need to get a new crossmember, TV cable and a few other things. I really appreciate all of the info folks have provided. That's what makes this forum great....the contributing members

My key is still on the dash in the original location.

Poke around on my site there, might be more interior shots from different perspectives, look for anything that states: interior

https://stepsidematraca.wordpress.com/gallery/