Replace turn signal lever with multi-function stem?

[C10Silverado79]

I haven't found anything with a search so does anyone know if you can retro-fit a multi-function stem like this to and older truck or do you have to swap out the steering column to make it work? I'd like to get the wiper functions up off the dash board.

[westofb]

I think it would be easier to swap collumns. Get one from the salvage yard and when you remove it, get all the plugs that attach to the column with as much extra wire attached to those plugs as possible. Then you are going to have figure out how to wire the new pigtails into your current harness. You will be able to eleminate the floor mounted dimmer switch as well. You may run into probs on the wipers, I am not sure if the wiring is the same between post and pre 80 trucks and am sure it is different if you try to add on intermittent wipers..
Good Luck!

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Originally Posted by westofb

I think it would be easier to swap columns. Get one from the salvage yard and when you remove it, get all the plugs that attach to the column with as much extra wire attached to those plugs as possible. Then you are going to have figure out how to wire the new pigtails into your current harness. You will be able to eliminate the floor mounted dimmer switch as well. You may run into probs on the wipers, I am not sure if the wiring is the same between post and pre 80 trucks and am sure it is different if you try to add on intermittent wipers..
Good Luck!

Yep find an 84 model(first year for the multi function switch) in a wrecking yard and get the column,wiring harness both under the dash and under the hood as well as the wiper motor and the washer fluid reservoir. This way you've got everything you're gonna need to make the swap as easy as possible.
Keep the floor mounted dimmer switch in place and wire it up as an ignition interrupt switch to keep any would be dirt-bags from driving off with your ride.