What year van for tilt steering conversion? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pritch · 10-10-2004, 12:08 AM

I found one in a '78 van, but I can't remember what year works.

Longhorn Man · 10-10-2004, 12:23 AM

72 - early 82.

purple gas · 10-10-2004, 10:46 AM

I had a 67 gm, 3 on the tree. ( one long shaft, no U-joint, and not colapsable,, safe eh?) got a column from a 77 van. I needed a lower short shaft with a U-joint & coupler, it seems automatic trucks came with them( many years will fit, but check your sizes, there's a few varieties). when I put it together the assembly was about 4 inches longer than the original shaft. ( not sure if all van column/ lower shafts are like that) otherwise, it fits perfect, just watch the nibs in the dash that line up with notches in the column.. Oh by the way the truck is undrivable this way, unless you take the seat out. 4 inches is a lot, so I have to get the lower shaft shortend. there may be combinations that fit perfect, but I'm tired of looking.. SO, don't wreck your old parts when you first put it together!! Hope this helps

71swb4x4 · 10-10-2004, 11:11 AM

purple gas

You need to collapse your lower shaft. Drill out the nylon pin and collapse the shaft with a hammer. Its the shaft that was between your old column and the steering box.

Longhorn Man · 10-10-2004, 12:18 PM

the 67 and 68 does need the shaft from a 69 - 72, the collapsable shaft started in 68.
I have never had to drill out the nylon...just hit the collapsable shaft on the shop floor. Worked every single time I've done it.

Tx Firefighter · 10-10-2004, 01:29 PM

Purple Gas, here's a picture.

You need to shorten this shaft. It's meant to collapse. Just drill the nylon rivets and hammer the shaft 4 inches shorter.

Then, you can bolt your column in like is was intended and get your clearance between you and the steering wheel back.

The picture is my truck. I have a motorhome column, but I have done several van and motorhome column swaps into these trucks. They're the same fitment.

purple gas · 10-10-2004, 01:51 PM

Damn, you guys are good,, and fast! Thanks for the tips on shortening the shaft. Anyone got any tips on how womens minds work?

Tx Firefighter · 10-10-2004, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purple gas

Anyone got any tips on how womens minds work?

I went and asked my wife. She says even women don't know the answer to that one.

Longhorn Man · 10-10-2004, 06:14 PM

Actually, i used to know a guy who figured out wmen...he died laughing.

68w/sbc406 · 10-10-2004, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

Actually, i used to know a guy who figured out wmen...he died laughing.

LMAO

chickenwing · 10-10-2004, 09:41 PM

Tx, does any other part of the column collapse? Thought that room was to keep someone from being impaled. Or am I missing something?

Tx Firefighter · 10-10-2004, 09:51 PM

No, that's where the collapse is built in.

There is still more room to collapse even after shortening it, but technically, you're right, there is now less collapse built into the column for safety.

chickenwing · 10-10-2004, 09:55 PM

OK. That is utilizing the van shaft? Can you utilize another shaft with the correct lenth built in? What year group/model? Thanks.

Tx Firefighter · 10-10-2004, 10:10 PM

No, that's the truck shaft that everyone uses.

The van intermediate shaft is way short.

10-10-2004, 12:08 AM	#1
pritch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hoytsville, Utah Posts: 3,365	What year van for tilt steering conversion? I found one in a '78 van, but I can't remember what year works. __________________ '68 Panel Project Boogie Chillin' '68 C-10 Ol' Green

10-10-2004, 10:46 AM	#3
purple gas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: saskatoon, planet earth Posts: 686	tilt tips I had a 67 gm, 3 on the tree. ( one long shaft, no U-joint, and not colapsable,, safe eh?) got a column from a 77 van. I needed a lower short shaft with a U-joint & coupler, it seems automatic trucks came with them( many years will fit, but check your sizes, there's a few varieties). when I put it together the assembly was about 4 inches longer than the original shaft. ( not sure if all van column/ lower shafts are like that) otherwise, it fits perfect, just watch the nibs in the dash that line up with notches in the column.. Oh by the way the truck is undrivable this way, unless you take the seat out. 4 inches is a lot, so I have to get the lower shaft shortend. there may be combinations that fit perfect, but I'm tired of looking.. SO, don't wreck your old parts when you first put it together!! Hope this helps Last edited by purple gas; 10-10-2004 at 10:54 AM.

10-10-2004, 11:11 AM	#4
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	purple gas You need to collapse your lower shaft. Drill out the nylon pin and collapse the shaft with a hammer. Its the shaft that was between your old column and the steering box. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

10-10-2004, 01:29 PM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Purple Gas, here's a picture. You need to shorten this shaft. It's meant to collapse. Just drill the nylon rivets and hammer the shaft 4 inches shorter. Then, you can bolt your column in like is was intended and get your clearance between you and the steering wheel back. The picture is my truck. I have a motorhome column, but I have done several van and motorhome column swaps into these trucks. They're the same fitment. Attached Images __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-10-2004, 09:41 PM	#11
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	Tx, does any other part of the column collapse? Thought that room was to keep someone from being impaled. Or am I missing something? __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!!

10-10-2004, 12:23 AM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	72 - early 82.

10-10-2004, 12:18 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	the 67 and 68 does need the shaft from a 69 - 72, the collapsable shaft started in 68. I have never had to drill out the nylon...just hit the collapsable shaft on the shop floor. Worked every single time I've done it.

10-10-2004, 01:51 PM	#7
purple gas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: saskatoon, planet earth Posts: 686	Damn, you guys are good,, and fast! Thanks for the tips on shortening the shaft. Anyone got any tips on how womens minds work?

10-10-2004, 06:14 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Actually, i used to know a guy who figured out wmen...he died laughing.

10-10-2004, 09:51 PM	#12
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	No, that's where the collapse is built in. There is still more room to collapse even after shortening it, but technically, you're right, there is now less collapse built into the column for safety. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-10-2004, 09:55 PM	#13
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	OK. That is utilizing the van shaft? Can you utilize another shaft with the correct lenth built in? What year group/model? Thanks. __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!!

10-10-2004, 10:10 PM	#14
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	No, that's the truck shaft that everyone uses. The van intermediate shaft is way short.

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