Ididit column vs stock
 

I am looking at tilt columns and have made a call to Ididit. Im looking at $ 650
for a column that is 3 inches shorter than the stock one so I would not have to collapse the intermediate shaft and that price includes moving the neutral safety switch as well or for $ 450 I can get a rebuilt stock tilt.
What do you guys think?

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

I went with a stock rebuilt tilt column that I purchased for $350.00 at the Pamona swap meet. I couldn't justify the cost of Ididit or Flaming River tilts.

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

I just spent around $450 total at Summit for two new Borgeson joints to replace the rag joints, a new DD bar to replace my mushy intermediate shaft and a universal Flaming River tilt column (tilt+telescope is $200 more). That's $100 more for mine than Fastfun paid for just a tilt column using the same old POS crappy rad joint and intermediate shaft. I paid less for my column than his (unpolished, needs paint, but ... I can get rattle can in my stock paint code for $30 online)

There was a big writeup on either CT or CCT magazine this month about how to replace your sloppy ragjoint setup in our trucks (1975, but it still applies) with an aftermarket column. What would you rather have? stock rebuilt, outdated, sloppy ... or nice, new, tight steering?

It's your call.

I have part numbers if you need them.

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

Flaming river tilt column is only $300 (non polished) for our trucks...
http://static.summitracing.com/globa...-fr20003_w.jpg
I'm lookin at them right now

I have a tilt column i just pulled from my truck, and will sell it to you cheap.

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

how much u sellin send PM

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

Aftermarket columns are cheaper than rebuilds anymore, and the internals like the singal terminators ands tuff last a hell of a lot longer.

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

i like my $25 van unit, i hr of labor to modify it, and a $3 can of paint... but I'm a cheap b@stard.

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

Part #'s please, thanks.

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

really not much differance in any of the columns as long as when you turn right the truck doesn't go left

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

Did you make a new colapsable slip joint on your new intermintent shaft.
If you dont have one and get in a major front collision you could be takeing your steering wheel in the chest!:jdp:

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

Flaming River makes a collapsible column if you want it. It's ~$155 more than the standard tilt column (~$325 standard, $475 collapsible?)

But this is the reality: Stock intermediate shaft is collapsible because the column is stationary (bolted to rag joint to everything). With my setup using U-joints, the column will give in one direction or another. All that aside, if I get in a collsion bad enough that the steering box is going to get hit, the steering wheel slamming into my chest is the least of my concerns! I mean, seriously...think about it. These trucks really have no safety features and I still have yet to find a 67-72 in the junkyard that's taken a head-first hit with the steering column rivet is busted (i.e. column collapsed). I understand the feeling of security some might get from it, but .... I just don't think it's necessary (hopefully I never eat my words or my steering wheel).

I guess I look at it like this: In the event of a possible accident, using the aftermarket column, I have more control over my truck to avoide the accident. I'd rather have more control with newer, safer equipment than to have the collapsible column "safety feature"

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

Flaming river column is part # FR20007 (35" long by 2" diameter?)

This is what member greasemonkey shared, and I bought:

The shaft from the column is a 1" DD shaft, the intermediate shaft is 3/4" DD, and the steering box is 3/4" 36 spline. So you need two ujoints: 1" DD to 3/4" DD, and 3/4" DD to 3/4" 36 spline. I used one Flaming River ujoint, Summit part # FLA-FR2517DD and one Borgeson joint BRG-013449; I used the Borgeson because the Flaming River joint of 3/4" to 3/4" 36 spline did not fit on my steering box splines (why I don't know, it was just too tight). The shaft was a Flaming River FLA-FR1850, you just cut it to fit. The ujoints are a simple bolt on, no welding needed.

So, all those parts:

Column (1): FR20007
Borgeson (1): FLA-FR2517DD
Borgeson (1): BRG-013449
DD Shaft (1): FLA-FR1850

You might also pick up a copy of Custom Classic Trucks or Classic trucks for their full writeup on this - it's really informative, gives part #'s and explains everything you need to know when measuring and welding, and also covers the perks of swapping to this setup.

The two U-Joints should technically buckle in a collision - if you really want added safety, you can set it up like an aftermarket import and throw in a third U-joint to allow for flex in the case of a collision.

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

I have the chrome tilt Retro-Fit column from Ididit in my '68 GMC and it is awesome. it only took about an hour, plugged the wires right in and cut the Borgeson linkage. It worked great. If you have any questions on the install check out the November/December Truck Builder Tech article. I shot the whole install.

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

If you're talking non-shift columns, yeah, aftermarkets aren't that expensive. But those aftermarket automatics are too rich for my blood. So I bought one of these. Pretty good deal, but backordered.

http://www.brothersonlinestore.com/p...number=RTSC72A

-Jamie

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

According to Flaming river, the columns made specifically for our trucks are:
#FR20003 - 35" - Paintable Mill Finish stainless Tilt Column - 1"DD, 1.75" dia.
#FR20003SS - 35" - Polished stainless Column - 1"DD, 1.75" dia.
as found HERE

FR20007 is the universal column, which aparently works fine (as demonstrated by shifty), but for the same price, i think i would go with the vehicle specific one. :rolleyes:

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

Brak - pretty sure the stock column on our trucks is 2" in diameter. The FR column you linked "for our trucks" is 1.75" diameter.

If you look at the details for the part you just linked it also says THAT PART IS UNIVERSAL TOO. :)

You could go with the vehicle specific one. The vehicle specific one for our trucks was out of stock when I went in, and I wasn't satisfied with the connector (it was flat).

You can criticize me on it all day long, but you know what? I want to go with what WORKS. This worked and was a direct swap-in for another member. I'm doing a swap that's not really typical in my truck, and I am so freaking sick of ordering parts that "should fit" or are "made for my truck" and had them not fit somehow. I wasn't going to go through it with $450 in steering column parts when another member has already shown his setup that works. :rolleyes:

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

The ididit column trly isn't that expensive considering it is a direct fit peice. For the chrome tilt column and install kit it was about $1000 bucks or so but it went directly in. It fits great and took no time to put in. I think quality and a direct fit speak for themselves.

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

Thanks for the info, I'll keep that in mind if the stock tilt rebuild doesn't work out. I have no experience with rag joints, steering shafts, etc. so I don't yet know what I'm in for... :)

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

i like my IDIDIT it went right in and i think it was one of the best selling points when i sold my truck.you rewally get what you put in to it.Tony

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

The Flaming River is a little higher quality-stainless, not steel or aluminum. They look like they belong in our trucks. Look at the shift arm. The best on the market...it fits our stock tilts too!
We have these made for us, just for our trucks. We have some improvements done and the shaft is splined so you can use the stock intermediate shaft for savings, or the ujoint shaft rod if wanted.

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

Price??

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

I Love my polished tilt ididit, I've seen some on evilbay for half of what they cost new.

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

I wasn't trying to criticize you, I was just posting information for the benefit of this thread, referenced the fact that the other column has been used successfully by you and another member, and then stated which one i am going to choose.

sorry if it came across that way :sexy:

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

Ok I called Flaming River and Ididit and got prices.
Both are going to e auto columns with nuetral safety switch and non polished for painting. Both are 33 inch long splined shaft
Flaming river $694.00
Ididid $675.00

Re: Ididit column vs stock
 

BTW 71chevylowrider what is the year make and model of those seats?