Dress UP Column Kit

[CAP11]

I ordered a billet dress up column kit for my '85 and it came fedex today. The kit came with a replacement tilt handle, turn lever, hazzard light knob, and shifter arm.

I was able to quickly replace the tilt handle and the hazzard knob. But I couldn't figure out how to replace the shifter arm. Anyone done this before? I'm working a night shift right now, so I didn't have a lot of time or patience to try to figure it out . Just hoping one of you could point me in the right direction.

Also, my original turn lever has the wiper controls on it. My new turn lever doesn't have the wiper controls so I guess I'll have to live without replacing it. Not a big deal but if you have any ideas please let me know.

Thanks

[87 Shortwide]

when this is done, we expect pics you know.

[cochino12]

there is a pin that holds the shifter arm to the column. TAke a punch or something and tap it out.

[CAP11]

OK I'll try to punch that pin out tomorrow. Thanks for the information.
What should I do about the turn lever? Is there a billet style turn lever with the wiper control?

I'll show you guys some pics when I'm done. I'm also planning on installing a headliner in this truck in the near future and I'll show some pics of that as well. Thanks for all the help.

[76sierraclassic]

I certainly don't mean to hijack your thread, but I just got a kit in too this week for my '76. I got my shifter a couple of weeks ago, and I can't get it to work right. First off, it wouldn't even go into the slot until I filed a couple of small burrs off of the inside. Then once I finally got it to go in far enough to get the pin back in, it wouldn't "lock" into any of the gears. Basically, you can just take it up and down through the gears either direction just by pushing it with your finger.....totally not safe....and it won't stay in park. I noticed that the end of the original shifter looks totally different than the one on the billet shifter, but I figured it was just a different design that should still work the same way.

If anyone can help me out on this, I'd appreciate it. Also, if anyone has any information on what it takes to change out the signal light lever on the older models, that'd be good too.

Mike

[CAP11]

OK I got my shifter arm changed today. I just drove out the pin from the old arm and installed the new arm. Looks 100% better IMHO. Thanks for the help, you guys are great.

Because of the wiper control issue I have decided to skip changing out the turn signal arm. Guess I'll just mask everything off and paint it with some chrome paint. Anyone need a billet turn signal?

I also went ahead and did the chrome paint upgrade to my gauge reflector today. I also did the chrome upgrade to the heater/ac control panel that has been discussed here before. Both were nice additons. I'll post some pics soon.

[83C]

Where did you purchase the dress up kit? I just took my steering column and wheel apart today and I want to dress it up with that kit.

[benscool1]

We need pics, sounds like it turned out pretty good.

[CAP11]

I got the kit off of ebay. Bigbauto was the name of the company it came from. No pics yet, my digital camera is at a friends house. I'll get it in a few days.

I never did use the turn signal lever because of the wiper controls. If someone wants the turn signal lever let me know.

[smokinn]

Originally Posted by CAP11

. If someone wants the turn signal lever let me know.

I'll take it.

Jason

[apstguy]

I have the dress up kit from Carrige works which sounds identical. 85-up you can't replace the turn signal lever but you can get a billet cover to go over the end. The only manufacturer that I can find that makes it is Empire Motor Sports. They say the lever cover is for a 88-94 but it will work just fine on a 85-91 OBS.

[CAP11]

Smokinn, check your PM.

Apstguy,

Thanks very much for the information, I ordered a cover today from empire motor sports. This site is a huge help. Thanks again.