4 speed column conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

beaterC10 · 03-25-2004, 11:11 PM

I have been looking without success to find a floor shift tilt column for my 83. I contacted the guy on ebay that sells rebuilt columns, he doesn't have one for an 83. The 84-87 column he just sold went for over $200.

I'm now looking for a way to convert my column shift tilt column into a floor shift column.

I found out the switch bowl is interchangeable for most of GM and some Jeep tilt columns from 77-92. Since that much interchanges and it is a GM part, seems like there is some chance for interchange in some of the rest of the parts.

I am making the assumption I can use the original truck steering shaft and tilt knuckle and replace the shifter related parts with the equivalent parts from a floor shift column.

The likely candidates look to be Jeep Wrangler and Firebirds. They seem to go cheap, are commonly floor shift, and look similar to a truck column. Has anyone tried this?

The other option is knock the shifter pin out, lop the shifter boss off, and bondo the resulting hole.

Any other ideas?

stepside71 · 03-25-2004, 11:18 PM

dealer item perhaps ?

**swervin ervin** · 03-25-2004, 11:50 PM

Here's what I did.

Shiftlight

beaterC10 · 03-26-2004, 10:07 AM

what is that on the column, a shift light?

**swervin ervin** · 03-26-2004, 11:18 AM

Yes.

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/inte...shiftlight.htm

85Silverado · 03-28-2004, 02:10 AM

Hey, I have a '78...will a newer (84-87) tilt column fit in place of my current non tilt?

beaterC10 · 03-29-2004, 09:51 AM

It would bolt in, but the problem is wiring. 1984 has the wipers and dimmer on the column, 1983 has the wipers and dimmer on the dash.

03-25-2004, 11:11 PM	#1
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	4 speed column conversion I have been looking without success to find a floor shift tilt column for my 83. I contacted the guy on ebay that sells rebuilt columns, he doesn't have one for an 83. The 84-87 column he just sold went for over $200. I'm now looking for a way to convert my column shift tilt column into a floor shift column. I found out the switch bowl is interchangeable for most of GM and some Jeep tilt columns from 77-92. Since that much interchanges and it is a GM part, seems like there is some chance for interchange in some of the rest of the parts. I am making the assumption I can use the original truck steering shaft and tilt knuckle and replace the shifter related parts with the equivalent parts from a floor shift column. The likely candidates look to be Jeep Wrangler and Firebirds. They seem to go cheap, are commonly floor shift, and look similar to a truck column. Has anyone tried this? The other option is knock the shifter pin out, lop the shifter boss off, and bondo the resulting hole. Any other ideas?

03-25-2004, 11:18 PM	#2
stepside71 Project Money Pit Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Pensacola Florida Posts: 90	dealer item perhaps ? __________________ For sale: GMC rad support $50, L/F 69-72 fender $50, (1) 69-72 & 67-68 Chevy hood $50 ea.,1 disc brake spindles w/ calipers and rotors $ 25 WTB: (1) R/F inner fender. OR will trade

03-25-2004, 11:50 PM	#3
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Here's what I did. Shiftlight __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10 Last edited by swervin ervin; 03-25-2004 at 11:55 PM.

03-28-2004, 02:10 AM	#6
85Silverado Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 198	Hey, I have a '78...will a newer (84-87) tilt column fit in place of my current non tilt? __________________ Paul D. '78 C20 Scottsdale 350ci 3 speed with granny gear 14 bolt rearend My trucks are "Car-Guy safe".......which pretty much means death trap in the hands of a normal civilian.

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03-26-2004, 10:07 AM	#4
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	what is that on the column, a shift light?

03-26-2004, 11:18 AM	#5
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Yes. http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/inte...shiftlight.htm

03-29-2004, 09:51 AM	#7
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	It would bolt in, but the problem is wiring. 1984 has the wipers and dimmer on the column, 1983 has the wipers and dimmer on the dash.



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