Newer tilt steering column

[454_72_4X4]

Just wondering if anybody on the board has investigated using a newer style tilt column?
I'm thinking about the 73+ truck or car column with the ignition key on the column.
I'm sure mounting one wouldn't be to big of problem but the wiring might be an adventure.

Any experiences/ideas?

[bobthecop]

ttt

[Longhorn Man]

it's been done, but the column is a larger diameter, plus the ignition switch headache, the later ones also have the high beam and wiper controls to deal with too... then you have all the dash switches to deal with when you are done...
you trying to get a tilt... or a locking column?

[brak]

I had one a while back posted for sale, and it's now on ebay.

As Longhorn Man stated, it is a wider diameter, so whoever installed it in my truck, just trimmed the plastic gauge panel to make room for it... I didn't even notice until i removed the column. not sure if the brackets on the side were custom, or original for this column, but it bolted right into the truck with no issues.

Also he spliced together an adapter from the flat to round harness which worked fine.

[454_72_4X4]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

it's been done, but the column is a larger diameter, plus the ignition switch headache, the later ones also have the high beam and wiper controls to deal with too... then you have all the dash switches to deal with when you are done...
you trying to get a tilt... or a locking column?

Yea, I thought the newer ones were larger diameter. That shouldn't be to much of a problem.
I'm thinking about staying with the "older/newer" columns. (73-77? or so.) Ignition switch on the column but no wiper or dimmer.
Although the dimmer on the column would be nice too. I've replaced my floor mounted dimmer about 3 times in the last few years.

Like everybody else I'd like to have a tilt wheel but the factory original ones bring completely insane prices and even the van tilts are bringing way to much to make that an option. Not to mention my truck has a manual transmission which makes the original style tilt basically unobtainable, (for me anyway).

Another reason is familiarity (Spelling?). Every vehicle I own has the key on the column. I've been driving GM vehicles all my life and I can usually get the key in the lock on the first try without searching for it. It's just "there" I guess. I ya know what I mean.

Dealing with the stock in dash ignition switch is easy. Most modern cars/trucks have more than one cigarette lighter/power point, so I'm thinking about putting another power point where the old ignition is now.
Or another idea I've had, (especially since I've been keeping track of an airbags on a 4x4 thread...), is putting a pair of airbag pressure gauges where the cigarette lighter and ignition is now.

The wiring is my main concern.

brak, Ya got a link to your ebay auction or an item number?
Is it for a floor shift by chance?

Could ya post a close up pic of the wiring adapting?

[454_72_4X4]

Bttt

[corn]

Thats not a bad idea. I like the switch in the dash better though...

[454_72_4X4]

Originally Posted by corn

Thats not a bad idea. I like the switch in the dash better though...

Hahaha, I'm just the opposite! I like the column mounted switch!