70's truck column vs van column
 

I'm in a bit of a pinch with our Camaro clipped 55 TF build. I've came to the point where I need to purchase a steering column and get the truck closer to being road ready.
I'm unable to find a van column to use and want to know if a 70's truck column will work for the time being. We don't have enough in the budget to afford a flaming river or ididit column right now, so I need to find an alternative.
I believe the only differences are the key switch and tilt but not 100% sure.
Has anyone installed a 70'S truck column in a Camaro clipped TF? if so, any help/pics would be appreciated.
Thanks

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

I am currently going through my second build of my 57 and for the last 20 years ran a 1980 Monte Carlo (non-column shift) tilt column. Perfect fit. I am now upgrading to an Ididit, but not due to issues with that setup. R/Jim

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

Thanks for the info
Did your truck have a camaro clip installed?
I'll keep the monte column in mind.
I will probably go with a column shift just to keep the floor area clear and make it easier on my daughters to shift.

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

Yep, 2nd Gen Camaro sub with SBC.

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

I have a van column I just listed on CL.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/pts/5287472288.html

The only difference I'm told is the output shaft for a van column is a little bit longer.

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

Any pics of your Installation?
Thanks

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

I have a 74 nova sub in my 57 TF with a 76 truck column in it no problem with angle no cutting of the shaft at all perfect

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

I think the Nova had a rear steering gear box. The camaro clip had a forward steering gear box.
Any pics of your setup?

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

A little dark and not the best angle only ones I have on my work computer worth showing

Not sure why they are so massive either.....

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

Looks about the same as the camaro sub frame. Did you have to put any support for the steering shaft?

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

I used the stock (to the column) loop bolt point under the gauge cluster and a kicker panel mount that I made out of an exhaust pipe the same size as the shaft and a piece of drop steel I picked up.

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

If you chopped the top, which it looks like you did, that bad boy looks great!

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

thank you yes it is a 3 inch chop still a long ways from the final stretch

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

still a long ways from the final stretch[/QUOTE]

Aren't we all?!?!
If you get a minute, could you post a pic from the steering gear box to the end of the column shaft? That's the part I'm the most concerned about. It looks like mine has too much of an angle to match up without some sort of extra joint in there.
And if I have an extra joint added, there would be no support in that area.

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

I will put one up when I get home nothing from that angle despite the wind and snow :waah:

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

Is this what you were after no additional joints but if you did add one towards the back you could make a bracket to keep it inline with the frame/add strength. if you want another spot I can gear up and go out again.

I clearly have yet to put my engine in (454) so I dont know how that will change things

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

Thanks. No need to go back out. I'll take your word for it. I'll just have to keep looking at the local junkyard for a truck column.

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

So you used a 76 Chevy truck column? The local yards in my area don't have anything past 89 lol anything else I can use?

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

The big thing that changes from truck to car ect is the overall length of the column body and the intermediate shaft they used the same steering backing plate for literally ever and if you wanted you could get a 2015 escalade wheel and put it in a 95 K1500 (ask how I know)

Anyhow there are plenty that will "work" but the intermediate shaft mounting may be different from the steering box

Basically measure and look I can check on length later on if need be

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

Just an FYI: 72 was the last year that chevy trucks had the ignition switch on the dash. After that, the switch is on the column. On the Chevy vans 78 I believe was the last year. The 70-78 Van columns interchange parts with the 72 truck tilt column.

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

nice chop job, do you have a windshield cut for that bad boy?

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

I do not have a windshield cut the last guy I talked to quoted 1000 bucks :jdp:


After that one I am considering doing it myself but with as many failed attempts I can imagine it may come to 1000 bucks either way oh well thats a problem for another day

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

I used a column from a 1982 Olds Cutlass. GM G bodies will work. Mine is a column shift and was used with a 1974 Camaro clip and a Flaming River u-joint at either end. No pics though, since I swapped out the clipped Chevy frame for the Dodge 4wd frame.

-Joe

Re: 70's truck column vs van column
 

Hey girlz55 - this is a typical GEN2 Camaro steering shaft setup (see photo) that you should be able to get away with any column. For the 55-59 truck I think you have to try and find the shortest column available which is about 26-28"????. It uses a joint at the column end and gets rid of the rag joint on the box and replaces it with another flex joint. You dont need a center support on this type.

http://garagescene.net/gallery3/var/...haft%20(5).JPG