Compatiable years of steering columns?

[Chlsnk]

My column broke and i'm going to be going down to the local pick and pull today to get a new one. My question will any automatic column shift 73-87 column work and bolt right into my 84 2WD pickup? Are 2WD and 4WD columns the same?

[James McClure]

Chlsnk: The colunms should fit without difficulty. Be aware though that IF you get a colunm out of a later model you may wind up with one that had a 4 speed automatic in it and you don't want that because in 84 there were only 3 speeds available if memory serves. If you can only get a 4 speed one you will have to strip the upper half of both and change the detent plate where the shift handle tab fits into it. 2 or 4 WD will not make a difference. jim

[71Farmtruck]

Also the reverse light switch connector is different on some models, I swapped a '91 burban column into my old '84 longbed theft recovery and had to use the old switch because they were different.

[Chlsnk]

Well no luck on finding a column today and I guess the search goes on. Im about fed up with it though and am about to rig up a toyota ignition and just make it driveable because walking sucks in the winter here!

[sierra4x4]

The main differance in columns is that 73-82 or 83 had the wipers on the dash and the dimmer switch on the floor and the newer ones like yours has it all on the column.

[N2TRUX]

Actually there are several differences. I can't remember where the year breaks are, but the differences include the lower shaft, the wiring connectors, and the wiper/washer on the stalk. You can swap parts and pieces to make older columns work, but be aware that it might not just "bolt in".

[no1uno55]

what is broken in your column?

[heavychevy79]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Actually there are several differences. I can't remember where the year breaks are, but the differences include the lower shaft, the wiring connectors, and the wiper/washer on the stalk. You can swap parts and pieces to make older columns work, but be aware that it might not just "bolt in".

Yea we tried to put a 73-80 column in a 81 and it didn't match the firewall
or something to that effect.
We didn't get as far as hooking up the wiring.

[Chlsnk]

Ah I see! And the ignition rack selector (pot metal piece) and the ignition ears are broken off and I don't want to use that ignition because im worried my key may break and twist off in the ignition so I dont want that to happen. I would like to wire in a toyota ignition I have under the dash and by pass the ignition on the column for the time being until I can get a hold of a new column. I am really tired of walkin at this point.


Does any one have a wiring diagram for the ignition wires?

[kevinr1970]

Originally Posted by James McClure

Be aware though that IF you get a colunm out of a later model you may wind up with one that had a 4 speed automatic in it and you don't want that because in 84 there were only 3 speeds available if memory serves. If you can only get a 4 speed one you will have to strip the upper half of both and change the detent plate where the shift handle tab fits into it. 2 or 4 WD will not make a difference. jim

My '82 K5 has the OD shift pattern although the orange finger is missing. That isn't to say someone didn't replace the cluster in my truck at some point; they jimmy rigged everything else?

BUT, I think OD started in '82.

I was under the impression that the shift "detents" were a function of the transmission not the column? If you put a OD column in a 3sp truck it will still shift just find but the orange finger/indicator will be off? And vice-versa?

[no1uno55]

the ignition switch is very easy to change out and less than 15 bucks with keys at most parts stores. and the rack selector also under 15 bucks is not that bad just take your time and fix yours.

[Dooley]

GM started offering OD Automatics in 1982 in the light trucks. That said, my 1988 V30 2 dr regular cab pickup has a 3 speed T400 from the factory.