Tilt Column - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

John Pasinski · 12-11-2013, 07:51 PM

I'm seeing tilt columns come up for sale every once in a while. I have a couple of questions.
I've never really thought about installing a tilt column in my truck. Unfortunately though; it seems the older I get, for some reason yet unknown to me, my cab and in particukar the distance between my steering wheel, and seat is getting smaller.
Was a tilt column available for a 4 speed floor shift? The ones I've seen on the board all seem to be for automatics.
Are there any major issues to install? Especially since my column is already out. It looks like everything is the same except at the top where it will tilt. So it appears to me that it just installs like non-tilt.

**leddzepp** · 12-11-2013, 08:12 PM

Installs very easily. There are 4 speed tilts out there, but they are harder to find.

Steve Cole · 12-11-2013, 08:29 PM

There is one listed right now on Craigslist. It's in Auburn, Alabama. $400 and it looks pretty good.

69SWB4X4 · 12-11-2013, 08:39 PM

Does the pick up and van column interchange?

71swb4x4 · 12-11-2013, 08:51 PM

I agree, you can find a floor shift tilt. They are fairly rare and usually command a higher price than an auto tilt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69SWB4X4

Does the pick up and van column interchange?

Yes and no. You have to modify the intermediate shaft, the wiring harness will usually have the flat plug instead of the half moon, and the neutral safety switch is usually too low, but all of those things are easily overcome.

hugger6933 · 12-11-2013, 09:14 PM

Here is what I did to a much cheaper van tilt[$75 bucks]. I took off the shifter indicator then welded up the screw holes then I knocked out the shifter retention pin[ it was a little loose and wollowed out, the reason for the $ 75 price tag]. Then i ground off the shifter "hump" and the last mod I did before the cosmetics was to place the shifter arm [at the bottom] in what would be the park position.Once that was done I tacked the arm to the tube so that it could not move. After that op was done, I cut off the arm and ground smooth the ends so it would look good. Next I filled the large holes [the one where the light goes and the one where the shifter went. The one where the light went, I placed a small piece of tape under the hole for backing then filled with short hair fiber strand. After the holes were filled and sanded smooth, I primed it with 2 coats of high build primer. The next step will be to paint it body color and reinstall or in this case install as the truck was a 3oot and I am changing to a T-5. Easy Peasy, and it will appear as though it came with a factory tilt. Jim

John Pasinski · 12-12-2013, 04:06 AM

I should have asked this in the original post. What years will fit? Will an early 80's fit also?
I may start watching for one.
Hugger; you make it sound easy. Usually with you talented guys, when you say easy, it usually means the rest of us will end up giving up w/o success.

Andy4639 · 12-12-2013, 08:12 AM

I installed a orignal 4 speed tilt out of a blazer years ago. My buddy and I spotted it in a junkyard. The blazer was burnt up and the steering wheel melted off of it. The sticks were gone also.
I payed the guy $40.00 for it and he took it out.

We took it back to the shop and blasted it and installed all new bearings and stuff. It's been in the 71 ever since 1990. U want regret it if U buy one no matter how U get it.

hugger6933 · 12-12-2013, 08:42 AM

The van columns go up to about 81 I think. Also motor homes are a great source for them and they look much closer to the truck tilt than the van tilt, and they go until 85 that I know of for sure because I have an 85 with the tilt and the main diff is the arm angle is a slight difference [on the shifter at the bottom] I have two of those motor home tilts one van tilt and one truck[ none for sale they all have project homes]but If I were to do this shifter removal again [it only took a couple of hours tops] I would try my best to find a cheaper van tilt or a motor home tilt. Then you could use that leftover money elsewhere. Jim

**Grumpy old man** · 12-12-2013, 09:24 AM

CPP has a brand new chrome tilt with all GM internals for $189.00 and free shipping ! on e bay .

Andy4639 · 12-12-2013, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

CPP has a brand new chrome tilt with all GM internals for $189.00 and free shipping ! on e bay .

That is a steal at that price.

Steve Hafner · 12-12-2013, 10:08 AM

. . . .

I bought a reproduction tilt column from one of the "big" catalog companies that sold for $329 in October of 2010.

It turned out to be made in China and isn't made as good as the originals.

It has a lot more play in it then an original would have.

I learned the HARD WAY to pay a little more and get something made . . H E R E !!!

. . . .

**Tom Vogel** · 12-12-2013, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

There is one listed right now on Craigslist. It's in Auburn, Alabama. $400 and it looks pretty good.

If thats a true 4spd tilt, Id jump on it for sure.

teeitup · 12-12-2013, 11:37 AM

John finding a four-speed tilt is very hard, four hundred dollars is a great price for one, I bought one a year ago for $425 shipped but after I redid it I got over 500 in it now

John Pasinski · 12-12-2013, 02:59 PM

Thanks again everyone for all your help. It's greatly appreciated.
I looked at LMC (not to buy) but for comparison. LMC says with theirs; I would also need to buy a different steer wheel (from them), and a steer wheel installation kit.
I'll have to look at the junkyard? I called about the unit on Craigslist. Waiting to hear back.

Acorn · 12-12-2013, 03:36 PM

Are the CPP columns made in the U.S.A.?

redbaron · 12-15-2013, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

CPP has a brand new chrome tilt with all GM internals for $189.00 and free shipping ! on e bay .

CPP is an over seas made column. I ask this very question at the 2013 SEMA show at CPP's booth and their representative looked down and said it's over seas.

Lattimer · 12-16-2013, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

CPP has a brand new chrome tilt with all GM internals for $189.00 and free shipping ! on e bay .

Don't buy a CPP column. I made that mistake. Terrible quality. If you are going aftermarket go with ididit or Flaming River.

John Pasinski · 12-16-2013, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

There is one listed right now on Craigslist. It's in Auburn, Alabama. $400 and it looks pretty good.

Going back over my post, I realized I forgot thank STEVE COLE for letting me know about the column on Craigslist.
Thanks Steve, I bought it. The seller is a really nice guy. He went out of his way to get it shipped the same day I bought it. I hope to have it Tuesday.
I know sometimes Craigslist sellers can be on the "odd side", but generally, most of the people I've met from Craigslist were pretty nice.
Now..............If I could only earn the money for truck parts as fast as I spend it!

12-11-2013, 07:51 PM	#1
John Pasinski Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: orlando Posts: 456	Tilt Column I'm seeing tilt columns come up for sale every once in a while. I have a couple of questions. I've never really thought about installing a tilt column in my truck. Unfortunately though; it seems the older I get, for some reason yet unknown to me, my cab and in particukar the distance between my steering wheel, and seat is getting smaller. Was a tilt column available for a 4 speed floor shift? The ones I've seen on the board all seem to be for automatics. Are there any major issues to install? Especially since my column is already out. It looks like everything is the same except at the top where it will tilt. So it appears to me that it just installs like non-tilt. __________________ A man's thoughts devise his ways; but it's GOD that directs his steps.

12-11-2013, 08:12 PM	#2
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,031	Re: Tilt Column Installs very easily. There are 4 speed tilts out there, but they are harder to find. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

12-11-2013, 08:29 PM	#3
Steve Cole Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Faith,NC Posts: 1,626	Re: Tilt Column There is one listed right now on Craigslist. It's in Auburn, Alabama. $400 and it looks pretty good.

12-11-2013, 08:39 PM	#4
69SWB4X4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 54	Re: Tilt Column Does the pick up and van column interchange?

12-11-2013, 09:14 PM	#6
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Tilt Column Here is what I did to a much cheaper van tilt[$75 bucks]. I took off the shifter indicator then welded up the screw holes then I knocked out the shifter retention pin[ it was a little loose and wollowed out, the reason for the $ 75 price tag]. Then i ground off the shifter "hump" and the last mod I did before the cosmetics was to place the shifter arm [at the bottom] in what would be the park position.Once that was done I tacked the arm to the tube so that it could not move. After that op was done, I cut off the arm and ground smooth the ends so it would look good. Next I filled the large holes [the one where the light goes and the one where the shifter went. The one where the light went, I placed a small piece of tape under the hole for backing then filled with short hair fiber strand. After the holes were filled and sanded smooth, I primed it with 2 coats of high build primer. The next step will be to paint it body color and reinstall or in this case install as the truck was a 3oot and I am changing to a T-5. Easy Peasy, and it will appear as though it came with a factory tilt. Jim

12-12-2013, 04:06 AM	#7
John Pasinski Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: orlando Posts: 456	Re: Tilt Column I should have asked this in the original post. What years will fit? Will an early 80's fit also? I may start watching for one. Hugger; you make it sound easy. Usually with you talented guys, when you say easy, it usually means the rest of us will end up giving up w/o success. __________________ A man's thoughts devise his ways; but it's GOD that directs his steps.

12-12-2013, 08:12 AM	#8
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Tilt Column I installed a orignal 4 speed tilt out of a blazer years ago. My buddy and I spotted it in a junkyard. The blazer was burnt up and the steering wheel melted off of it. The sticks were gone also. I payed the guy $40.00 for it and he took it out. We took it back to the shop and blasted it and installed all new bearings and stuff. It's been in the 71 ever since 1990. U want regret it if U buy one no matter how U get it. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

12-12-2013, 08:42 AM	#9
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Tilt Column The van columns go up to about 81 I think. Also motor homes are a great source for them and they look much closer to the truck tilt than the van tilt, and they go until 85 that I know of for sure because I have an 85 with the tilt and the main diff is the arm angle is a slight difference [on the shifter at the bottom] I have two of those motor home tilts one van tilt and one truck[ none for sale they all have project homes]but If I were to do this shifter removal again [it only took a couple of hours tops] I would try my best to find a cheaper van tilt or a motor home tilt. Then you could use that leftover money elsewhere. Jim

12-12-2013, 09:24 AM	#10
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: Tilt Column CPP has a brand new chrome tilt with all GM internals for $189.00 and free shipping ! on e bay .

12-12-2013, 10:08 AM	#12
Steve Hafner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northport, Alabama Posts: 1,353	Re: Tilt Column . . . . I bought a reproduction tilt column from one of the "big" catalog companies that sold for $329 in October of 2010. It turned out to be made in China and isn't made as good as the originals. It has a lot more play in it then an original would have. I learned the HARD WAY to pay a little more and get something made . . H E R E !!! . . . . Attached Images

12-12-2013, 11:37 AM	#14
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,395	Re: Tilt Column John finding a four-speed tilt is very hard, four hundred dollars is a great price for one, I bought one a year ago for $425 shipped but after I redid it I got over 500 in it now __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

12-12-2013, 02:59 PM	#15
John Pasinski Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: orlando Posts: 456	Re: Tilt Column Thanks again everyone for all your help. It's greatly appreciated. I looked at LMC (not to buy) but for comparison. LMC says with theirs; I would also need to buy a different steer wheel (from them), and a steer wheel installation kit. I'll have to look at the junkyard? I called about the unit on Craigslist. Waiting to hear back. __________________ A man's thoughts devise his ways; but it's GOD that directs his steps.

12-12-2013, 03:36 PM	#16
Acorn Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Winnsboro Texas Posts: 367	Re: Tilt Column Are the CPP columns made in the U.S.A.?



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