Convert van tilt auto to floor shift truck tilt ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Ironhorse** · 10-19-2003, 10:26 PM

I have not been able to find a floor shift tilt column with out spending vast amounts of green stuff. Is it possible to use a floor shift column bowl without the shifting arm, and mount it to an automatic truck tilt there by eliminating the shifting arm and giving the look of an original floor shift truck tilt? What about using the same procedure on a keyless van tilt from an early 70's van? Are the columns all the same between the truck and early vans? I know that the van tilt must be shortened for the shaft to fit. I have the possiblity on a early 70's van tilt (auto) for a good price and not having a lot of experience with tilt columns need a bit of knowledge and advice here. Any wiring problems I'm apt to run into? Thanks for any replies and help.

**Ironhorse** · 10-20-2003, 05:09 AM

anyone ?

smokekiki · 10-20-2003, 09:25 AM

Try this...http://www.julianos.com/column_shift_cover.html

tom hand · 10-20-2003, 09:32 AM

I don't think the "bowl" from a non-tilt column would fit, and would be a major pain to install. The simplest method would be to cut off the bump where the shifting arm attaches and fiberglass the hole shut...after a repaint, you would be the only one to know. Depending on what year van tilt you get, it could plug in or need an adapter. The color codes are the same on both, I just used well hidden butt connectors.

**Ironhorse** · 10-20-2003, 05:40 PM

The tilt I have in mind is from a 77 Chevy auto column. It is still in a yard and they priced it to me at $65 and they pull it. The turn and tilt lever do not match our truck years. Are they a simple swap out item for correct tapered style? Also the 4-way hazard switch is fastened by a Phillips head screw. I can live with that after cleaning it up and painting the screw head. The NSS on the column is not needed for my floor shift application, jumper or cut and delete the un-needed wiring? Lots of questions I know but never having done this before don't want to buy a column and then not be able to use it. Again, thanks for the help.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 10-20-2003, 06:23 PM

Yes you can change the tilt and signal levers out with the correct style the tilt lever just screws in and the signal lever is held in place with a phillips head screw. As for the wiring you shouldn't have to remove anything for the saftey switch because the only things on the column plug are for the turn signals hazard lights, horn, and the light for the indicator and since you are going for the floor shift then you don't even have to hook it up. and GM makes an adapter for the flat to u-shaped plugs. It is GM part# 1894851. I hope this helps!!

10-19-2003, 10:26 PM	#1
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,294	Convert van tilt auto to floor shift truck tilt ? I have not been able to find a floor shift tilt column with out spending vast amounts of green stuff. Is it possible to use a floor shift column bowl without the shifting arm, and mount it to an automatic truck tilt there by eliminating the shifting arm and giving the look of an original floor shift truck tilt? What about using the same procedure on a keyless van tilt from an early 70's van? Are the columns all the same between the truck and early vans? I know that the van tilt must be shortened for the shaft to fit. I have the possiblity on a early 70's van tilt (auto) for a good price and not having a lot of experience with tilt columns need a bit of knowledge and advice here. Any wiring problems I'm apt to run into? Thanks for any replies and help. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

10-20-2003, 05:09 AM	#2
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,294	anyone ? __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

10-20-2003, 09:25 AM	#3
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,473	Try this...http://www.julianos.com/column_shift_cover.html __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

10-20-2003, 09:32 AM	#4
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	I don't think the "bowl" from a non-tilt column would fit, and would be a major pain to install. The simplest method would be to cut off the bump where the shifting arm attaches and fiberglass the hole shut...after a repaint, you would be the only one to know. Depending on what year van tilt you get, it could plug in or need an adapter. The color codes are the same on both, I just used well hidden butt connectors. __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

10-20-2003, 05:40 PM	#5
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,294	The tilt I have in mind is from a 77 Chevy auto column. It is still in a yard and they priced it to me at $65 and they pull it. The turn and tilt lever do not match our truck years. Are they a simple swap out item for correct tapered style? Also the 4-way hazard switch is fastened by a Phillips head screw. I can live with that after cleaning it up and painting the screw head. The NSS on the column is not needed for my floor shift application, jumper or cut and delete the un-needed wiring? Lots of questions I know but never having done this before don't want to buy a column and then not be able to use it. Again, thanks for the help. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

10-20-2003, 06:23 PM	#6
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Yes you can change the tilt and signal levers out with the correct style the tilt lever just screws in and the signal lever is held in place with a phillips head screw. As for the wiring you shouldn't have to remove anything for the saftey switch because the only things on the column plug are for the turn signals hazard lights, horn, and the light for the indicator and since you are going for the floor shift then you don't even have to hook it up. and GM makes an adapter for the flat to u-shaped plugs. It is GM part# 1894851. I hope this helps!! __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA



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