The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Acceptable steering columns

Hey, gang.
While picking up some parts from a Classic Chevy dude today, I asked him about a tilt steering column for my '51 AD 1/2 ton. He said to get a van column from the seventies. Those are getting scarce in my area. I'm sure I saw other steering columns in these trucks from later years than the seventies. At the moment, ididit is ididnt for my budget. So what would be a good tilt column without the shifter with a SBC block hugger headers. Of course the complete steering system will be updated.
Thanks in advance
Tim

Tim,
Mine had a 70's Caddy tilt wheel in mine when I purchased it and it sat to far back an basically the wheel was in your chest.. it was too long and I lived with it until the ingnition switch said goodbye...I know the IDIDIT is pricey but it was the best investment I have made on my bolt, now I went with the chrome one an key in it, but for $150/$175 less you can get the paintable version so for $300 and they are just plain nice.
Tim

I have a tilt and telescoping steering column that I bought off a guy on this forum. It is out of a 67-68 oldsmobile 98. Check out this place.......it may give you some ideas. http://www.billionsandtrillionsinc.com/pics/interior/

I had a bad time on the phone with them (asking for a part for my steering column and they kept trying to sell me the whole column that I didn't need, must have been eager to sell something, offered the column for $120)

Tim hit the nail on the head with suggesting the Ididit or Flaming River columns. I went with a Caddy RWD telescoping/tilt column which initially was a bit pricey.....of course there was no key, so I spent a bunch of time disabling the shift lock mechanism before I could even start the shortening process. To add insult to injury, I discovered that the adaptor to mount an aftermarket steering wheel was $85.00.

On top of that, folks were quick to ask "why I used a GM column in a NON-GM vehicle?"

In reality, it would have been better to spring for a column that was the correct length and didn't need any serious massaging. IMO...it would be a WHOLE LOT EASIER to shorten the stock column.

Dave

48erchevyman: One or two guys have used a colum out of a 68 which I'm looking at doing. It leaves the switch in the dash but has turn signal lever. I also like it cause its small/trim. But of coarse you have to cut the shaft to fit but from what I read here it is not such a big deal ??

What part of S.C. or you from? I sent you an email and hopefully you can join the Second Southern Stovebolts Reunion in May in Spartanburg.

Edit: Welcome to the Stovebolt!!!

I am using a Camaro column and an S-10 column. A bit of fab work needed to mount, however nothing that a saw and a welder didnt cure.

I'm using a tilt from a 76 Monte Carlo. Seems to be the right length and all. I've been using it for the past 8 years,
Scott

I'm using the original column with PS, cut it off the old box, install a bearing, and make a floor mount.
Obviously it doesn't tilt, but it's cheap and looks original..

Grigg

Grigg, mind sharing with us the steering box you used....and the bearing you used in the old steering column? Any info appreicated.

I needed a column when I built a T-bucket a few years ago and found that one from a 65 Corvair worked really well. It wasn't tilt, but was nice and short, and included a turn signal switch. Just don't get one from an early model, 64 or earlier, since they use a goofy complicated multi-piece turn signal assembly.

Devin

The best column w/o shifter is from late 60's early 70's GM trucks. No mods needed. Ebay is the best bet.

I'm using late 70's early 80's gm van column w/ shifter. Added a 3 in drop and did not have to modify the lenght at all.

The bearing goes inside the column tube to center and support the steering shaft. They are is sold complete with adapter bushing by a number of the restoration parts suppliers for just that application. If I were to do it again I would buy my own bearing at a local bearing supply place and turn my own flanged bushing to adapt it to the column. If I am lucky I'll even find a bearing with an external snap ring and an OD that already fits the column ID as is, or close enough that a tail pipe expander will make it fit.

The steering box I used was from a 78 IH Scout II, it likely won't work with the original axle.. If it does work you'll need a special bell-crank for the right spindle. The Scout uses crossover steering, the draglink is above the springs and connects at the front of the right wheel.

Used a Borgeson shaft and U-joints to couple the two, now I think Flaming river may have the better U-joints. Whoever makes them, get the ones with a little button head allen screw that keeps the bearing cups in place, (easier to rebuild) not the joints with the bearing cups just staked in place.

Grigg

Just put in a 65 Riviera tilt column in my 50 and it worked out great. Very basic tilt and turn signal with horn, thats all. Length was perfect all I had to do was an upper and lower mount. Like someone said above, not a problen if you have a saw and a welder!

Hey, Thanks family! You have no idea how much this helps... But, being fellow Bolters, I'm sure you do