Steering column choice for 57
 

Hi, Doing a 57 pickup with C4 suspension. What is everyone using for aftermarket steering columns? I have read the cheaper ones are dangerous as the internals are weak. It has a 31" chevy van column in it now but what somthing cleaner looking. Looking to get somthing soon as I am mocking up everything on the truck now. Thanks Steve

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

ididit makes some nice stuff

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

That's what I have, has tilt & emergency flashers, soild construction

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

I used a late '70's floor shift pu column, tilt, turn signals and flashers. I shaved the key switch and lock. i'ts a bit long but works good. Got it for $50 and spent a bit on new signal switch and bottom bushings making it new.

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

Ididit or Flaming River if you want clean aftermarket.

I've known a couple of guys who bought the cheap aftermarket ones and ended up replacing them in a short period because they got loose and there was no way to tighten them back up as there is on a GM factory column. You can go into a factory GM column and tighten it up if it is a bit sloppy. My wife is terrible for using the steering wheel to pull her self forward to reach the key or do what ever and I was always having to go into them an tigten them up.

I wish someone in the aftermarket would sell a collar/body that was minus the key switch to replace the one on a 70's Chevy truck tilt column. That piece if it were high quality would let you buy a wrecking yard column and make a real clean column out of it.

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

Following this thread.

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

GM makes some nice stuff :D

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

Thanks for the input guys. I have been looking at the ididit and flaming river columns and they look nice. It's hard to see the difference between a $300 column and a $1000 column. If its saftey it would be cheap insurance to get the ididit,flaming river. Steve

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What vehicle is that out of? I do like the looks of it

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Nice!

Love the interior. I'm contemplating options now for a console and runner along the bottom of the dash for A/C vents.

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

it's definitely safety related. the cheap columns are know to break at the tilt column joint and send the vehicle in the ditch or across the center line. i'll let dsraven post the link, i'm not seeing it now

gm spent millions and years of engineering to perfect the steering column
my column came out of an 86 gmc safari minivan, same van as the astro
it's pre-airbag with tilt, turn, key on column and hi/lo dimmer
you do need to cover up the bottom if you worry about fugly
i used the van steering wheel, always meant to put on a classic wheel, but i like it

nicest thing? IT COST ME $35 :D:D:D

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

check out my build.
lots of pics and info on my dash fascia/console/sub enclosure
i learned fiberglass on this truk

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

I have been looking for a nice GM column and this one fits most bills. I may have to rethink, i was looking for a column with the external PRND(O)L display for my 700R4, probably available in a older GM van though too.

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

the length of the astro column was just right
the astro is a 3 speed with the wire pull for PRNDLL, i used a stick on PRNDLLL from ididit
the shift lever is on the left side, makes for lots of room to work, but you gotta reverse the shift
i did this with an intermediate shaft, this shaft also changed the 3spd into a 4 spd
i added pics that show the fugly and the mount

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

I like the way the IDIDIT columns look and I am getting another column here soon

Mine will be painted and matched to make it look like it was made for that truck(originally)

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

unless your made of money, the $35 jy column makes sense, schrumgmc
you can always change it out later as they wire up with the same plugs
a 28" paintable ididit tilt column is over $700

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

Yeah the column I’m getting is $864 out the door... pretty expensive

It’s all in what you like I guess.

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

Lots of great suggestions here. What is the typical length is everyone using? The column that came with the truck was a 89 chevy van and the lower shift lever is on the opposite side so getting the linkage on will be tough. The length is 31" and am thinking 28" or 30". Steve

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

I have a follow up column question. I got the original bench seat and the steering column in. It has a CPP brake booster/pedal relocation kit already installed. The problem is with the column in the straight position by the time I reach the brake pedal my knee is against the bottom of the steering wheel. the column is a 89 chevy van and is 31". I am getting a new column so would it work to get a 33" column to get the wheel out further? The pic shows what I am talking about. Steve

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

change out your column mount to have the column almost touching the dash
i'm 6'4" and raised the drivers seat 2" over the bench height to give me more leg room
i have the plastic column trim 1/4" away from the dash,
didn't realize i messed up until the speedo went in
i had to grind the point off my cluster trim ring :crazy:

it works, it also looks like my wheel is higher than yours
i typically run the column tilt straight

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

Thank You. Trying to figure this stuff out before I disassemble for body work. Yours does look higher up than mine. Steve

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

hard to tell with that very iffy pic you posted :D:D:D

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

Ogre, Here are some more pics. My original pic was to show how my leg would go up against the steering wheel if I tried to use the brake. Thanks Steve

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

your column is a little higher on the floor and a little lower on the dash vs truk
just a little here and there obviously makes a lot of difference
not sure if your steering is locked in yet, now would be the time to fix the column layout
maybe moving the bottom down an inch would make all the difference

Re: Steering column choice for 57
 

i think our columns are the same height just not the same angle

maybe these will help