Anyone use an 88-94 steering column?

[gopokes]

I got a line on one of these columns I can get pretty cheap. I did some searches and found people using the steering wheel but not the column. I was wondering if it would fit, or how much work it would be to make it fit. I haven't had a chance to measure it yet or even see it in person.

[Putter]

Well, you will either have an unused key hole (ignition switch) in your dash or your column. If you want to use the column one, you will have some wiring to do...PLUS you will have one key for the ignition and a seperate one for the doors.

[Critter]

Originally Posted by Putter

Well, you will either have an unused key hole (ignition switch) in your dash or your column.

I have seen pics of people who made this swap and used the column key. They just put another cigarette lighter in the spot of the original key switch. That way they had 2 power ports like a newer vehicle for radar detector, phone charger, MP3 etc. It looked fine and most everyday people are probably none-the-wiser.

[heeroyue2002]

i have a picture of a guy using a later model steering column, he said he had to do some rewiring to make it work.

[406 Q-ship]

The columns out of the 88-94 trucks are very easy to break to steal the truck. These are the columns that any punk with a screwdrive can break and drive off with your pride and joy. You could not pay me to install one in any of my vehicles.

[gopokes]

Originally Posted by 406 Q-ship

The columns out of the 88-94 trucks are very easy to break to steal the truck. These are the columns that any punk with a screwdrive can break and drive off with your pride and joy. You could not pay me to install one in any of my vehicles.

I don't like the sound of that. Dang, this is one place I was hoping to save some cash. I can't afford an aftermarket one right now, any other models that might work?

[463]

just some infro on my 73-87 column. i use a 1980 chev tilt column with a wire coversion custom built with a min of fuss on the install. i did this in 1984 and still working good today.

[406 Q-ship]

Originally Posted by 463

just some infro on my 73-87 column. i use a 1980 chev tilt column with a wire coversion custom built with a min of fuss on the install. i did this in 1984 and still working good today.

Use only the columns before the early 1980's or the trucks with the wiper switch on the dash and the high beam switch on the floor. Another thing to look for is the columns without the square bulge on the left side are OK. The columns with the bulge that have the wiper and high beam switch through the turn signal stalk are the columns that can be broken with a screwdriver.

The column you want is the one pictured above.

[squirel]

I put one in out of a 90 suburban but that was because I was using the front cross member out of it and the tranny. I welded up the hole for the old ignition before I painted the interior. Wiring is not a problem as I put a new painless wiring kit in mine. I did have to shorten it about 2 inches. As for it being easier to steal. All it takes to steal one with your original ignition is two pieces of wire to jump the ignition plug and there is nothing to break as your original does not have a steering lock. Hide a kill switch at least that will slow the punks down

[Critter]

Originally Posted by 406 Q-ship

The columns out of the 88-94 trucks are very easy to break to steal the truck. These are the columns that any punk with a screwdrive can break and drive off with your pride and joy.

True, but with the way the factory ignition switch is in a 67-72 I can reach under the dash with 2 little pieces of wire for jumpers and be driving off in a matter of seconds. I have never stolen a vehicle, but I have done this on a handful of old worn out farm/ranch trucks and when keys were lost.

By the way I was around a friend that put one of the 88-94 columns in a 65 truck. Of course he did a little rewiring, but wasn't that hard. It physically fit in there real nice.

[gopokes]

Originally Posted by Critter

True, but with the way the factory ignition switch is in a 67-72 I can reach under the dash with 2 little pieces of wire for jumpers and be driving off in a matter of seconds. I have never stolen a vehicle, but I have done this on a handful of old worn out farm/ranch trucks and when keys were lost.

By the way I was around a friend that put one of the 88-94 columns in a 65 truck. Of course he did a little rewiring, but wasn't that hard. It physically fit in there real nice.

I'm not terribly concerned about the security aspect because my truck will always be in the garage, or at work and we have gates with 24 hour security survaliance. Did your friend have to shorten the column at all?

[Critter]

Originally Posted by gopokes

I'm not terribly concerned about the security aspect because my truck will always be in the garage, or at work and we have gates with 24 hour security survaliance. Did your friend have to shorten the column at all?

I completely agree about not being worried about it. I was just making a point that our factory ignition switch is probably the easiest setup to hotwire there ever was especially beings it's so close to the bottom of the exposed dash. The 88-94 style columns may be weak in relation to other columns but there is no way its as vulnerable as the factory 67-72 switch.

He didn't shorten the column, but I think he may have altered the intermediate shaft. I can't swear to it though (it's been about 12 years ago), I just remember it not being all that big of a deal to install. Sorry, that's probably not a lot of help.

[gopokes]

Originally Posted by Critter

I completely agree about not being worried about it. I was just making a point that our factory ignition switch is probably the easiest setup to hotwire there ever was especially beings it's so close to the bottom of the exposed dash. The 88-94 style columns may be weak in relation to other columns but there is no way its as vulnerable as the factory 67-72 switch.

He didn't shorten the column, but I think he may have altered the intermediate shaft. I can't swear to it though (it's been about 12 years ago), I just remember it not being all that big of a deal to install. Sorry, that's probably not a lot of help.

Right on, I am probably going to end up smoothing out my dash down the road anyway so I'm not worried about having the key hole there. I think I might just get the column and see if I can make it work, he doesn't want that much for it, so if it doesn't I guess I can scrap it and try something else. Plus another board member here in OKC is saving me some cash on shortening my driveshaft! I love this website.