The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 66 Steering Column?

The steering column in our 66 GMC has had some past "repairs" done to it and I would like to replace it with something out of a newer vehicle ( but use the original steering wheel if possible). Standard transmission with floor shifter and manual steering. Low budget so we can't go with an aftermarket new column.

Any recommendations as to what is a fairly simple swap from something that would be readily available at the wreckers?

Dave,I am getting ready to change out the steering column in my 65 Chevy.My truck is Caddy powered with a floor auto shifter. I will be looking for a tilt column out of a GM vehicle.That way the plugin for the horn,directionals,etc. will be the same.I have all kinds of room under the hood for this swap,so the length wont be a problem.I imagine your 66 GMC would be similar.

my truck has a non-tilt column, with automatic shifteron it out of a 1971 chevy truck.

this guy used a column from a 1983 suburban:

http://www.persh.org/pickup/steering.htm

:whistle: I used a column out of the early seventies. The geometry isn’t quite correct(i.e. tilts to far down and in the upright position it looks normal.) It will need to be modified, but that’s half the fun.(Power tools):)I kept the same mount under dash and when I got the column where I wanted it I marked it (using cardboard as a makeshift template) I wanted to have the wheels closer to the dash so the column had to be shortened. Because of the way the column is made...It flares out toward the top...it would only go so far under the dash. I’m not as skinny as I used to be….heehawed . I had to cut out my own mount and weld it to the column. Fit everything and then paint to match cab. I used a power steering box and pump out of a 71. This (as I was told) is one of the years that the pitman arm has the same spline count. I wanted one of those IDIDIT columns. But $400.00 was not in my budget. Plus I get a kick out of tinkering (keeps me out of the wife’s hair)Had to make a mounting plate for the power box. It has one mounting hole that is lower than the frame. Easy fix...used cardboard to make template from steering box. Cut out of 1/4 "steel plate. Drill or burn holes for bolts. Weld a nut on the back of the plate for the bolt on the bottom. Tilt in nice option…I have floor shift auto so that made things simpler.I want to do the power window thing and swap out the bench for buckets with a console in the middle. Well that will be next adventure……sorry to get so long winded, hope this helps. Grinder4400

Thanks guys, it looks like I have a few options. The Suburban/pickup column swap looks pretty straight forward.