Is a 1978 steering column the same as 1977? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PugDad · 08-04-2010, 02:32 AM

Well, that's the question!

Anybody know for sure?

79gmcc15 · 08-04-2010, 02:47 AM

Yup same thing assuming its from a truck.

PugDad · 08-04-2010, 02:51 AM

Yep, from a truck...thanks 79gmc

**N2TRUX** · 08-04-2010, 09:01 AM

The column is the same. The connectors and pin out might not be. 77 was a transition year for our trucks. There are several things that started, several things that ended, and others that were one year only on the 77 model.

OleBlue79 · 08-04-2010, 12:39 PM

The end connectors are different but the shaft they connect to that goes to the steering box is the same. Swap the entire shaft assembly.

77gmcjoe · 08-04-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

The column is the same. The connectors and pin out might not be. 77 was a transition year for our trucks. There are several things that started, several things that ended, and others that were one year only on the 77 model.

I agree that there were a few oddball items in 1977, but the tilt column I put in my '77 was from a newer truck (I don't remember exactly what year it was, but somewhere between a '78 and '80) and the only thing I found that was different was how the key cylinder was retained in the column. I had to pull the cylinder out of my old column since I didn't have a key for the new one, and it was a little bit of work to get it out. If I remember correctly, it was much easier to get the one out of the newer column, and the cylinder I was using slid right in.

And like OldBlue79 said, I swapped the entire assembly.

OleBlue79 · 08-06-2010, 04:20 PM

I went home and checked my 77, 78 and 79. The connectors to the lower steering shaft are the same on the 77 and 78. It is a clamp that holds the two pieces together with a bolt through an ear on the clamp. In 79 it switched to a bolt that goes through the clamp and the center of the shaft. I hope this helps.

WigglesTheHoly · 08-06-2010, 04:42 PM

Unrelated but I swapped from a 76 to a 79 just two weeks ago and the only thing I had to change was the wiring. Must note too I was going from an auto to a stick.

vtwinsport · 08-07-2010, 12:57 PM

I swapped from a 76C10 to a 78 C10. Wiring harness pins holder was different, retainer clamp/ bolt was different, column to shaft was different, key cylinder is different and won't stay locked in column.
Get the whole assembly right down to the steering box.

08-04-2010, 02:32 AM	#1
PugDad Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 69	Is a 1978 steering column the same as 1977? Well, that's the question! Anybody know for sure?

08-04-2010, 02:47 AM	#2
79gmcc15 Gettin It One Pice At A Time Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: everett, washington Posts: 2,688	Re: Is a 1978 steering column the same as 1977? Yup same thing assuming its from a truck. __________________ RIP ELJAY Work In Progress 1979 GMC C1500 Trailering Special. Getting the truck done, one piece at a time. “You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans.”Ronald Reagan “I don’t know the key to success but I know the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby

08-04-2010, 02:51 AM	#3
PugDad Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 69	Re: Is a 1978 steering column the same as 1977? Yep, from a truck...thanks 79gmc

08-04-2010, 09:01 AM	#4
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Is a 1978 steering column the same as 1977? The column is the same. The connectors and pin out might not be. 77 was a transition year for our trucks. There are several things that started, several things that ended, and others that were one year only on the 77 model. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" Last edited by N2TRUX; 08-04-2010 at 09:01 AM.

08-04-2010, 12:39 PM	#5
OleBlue79 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 127	Re: Is a 1978 steering column the same as 1977? The end connectors are different but the shaft they connect to that goes to the steering box is the same. Swap the entire shaft assembly.

08-06-2010, 04:20 PM	#7
OleBlue79 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 127	Re: Is a 1978 steering column the same as 1977? I went home and checked my 77, 78 and 79. The connectors to the lower steering shaft are the same on the 77 and 78. It is a clamp that holds the two pieces together with a bolt through an ear on the clamp. In 79 it switched to a bolt that goes through the clamp and the center of the shaft. I hope this helps.

08-06-2010, 04:42 PM	#8
WigglesTheHoly IT Guy/ Father/ Chevy lover Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hoisington, KS Posts: 568	Re: Is a 1978 steering column the same as 1977? Unrelated but I swapped from a 76 to a 79 just two weeks ago and the only thing I had to change was the wiring. Must note too I was going from an auto to a stick. __________________ 78 Chevy (Pictures) SOLD 79 Chevy LWB (pasture) 83 Chevy LWB (crushed rusted beyond repair) 02 TrailBlazer SOLD 03 VW Passat wagonSOLD 95 extended cab silveradoSOLD (still in family) 05 Crew Cab Silverado 5.3 (The Turd) WTB: 66 El camino Technology Specialist aspiring to be a gear head.

08-07-2010, 12:57 PM	#9
vtwinsport Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: edmonton, alberta Posts: 293	Re: Is a 1978 steering column the same as 1977? I swapped from a 76C10 to a 78 C10. Wiring harness pins holder was different, retainer clamp/ bolt was different, column to shaft was different, key cylinder is different and won't stay locked in column. Get the whole assembly right down to the steering box. __________________ 76 Silverado, 2wd, long box, 350/th350, 3.42 posi, edelbrock performer 64cc heads, edelbrock 1405, 2101 intake, Hedman Headers, Comp Cam XE262 http://beerbreadbike.wordpress.com/

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