steering colume question

[kglowacky]

Please understand I bought this truck apart and it has a newer steering column in my stack of parts to install. The column is out of a 89 suburban. My question is there is a flat plate close to the end of the column with a rubber gasket on it. Does this plate go on the inside of the firewall or outside. Looks like to bolts to the firewall Thanks

[HAULIN' IT]

Inside. The bolts go from the inside...through the rubber/metal plate & out through the firewall as well. Lorne

[kglowacky]

thanks

[kglowacky]

does anybody know is a1989 Suburban steering column is the same length as a 1978 c10 column. Got this truck in parts and when I installed the column today it sure looks too long in the distance between the seat and steering wheel. HAvent put the seats in yet.

[HAULIN' IT]

That should be the same. What you may run into (depending on if you have the '89 lower shaft or not) is the stub just past that rubber/plate that we were talking about, has 2 styles. I don't recall when it changed, but it was something around '78 I think. If you have the complete '89 column you will be all set.
The only other items you have to work around is the wiring/plugs...having 2 dimmer & wiper switches, ect. Lorne

[kglowacky]

I got the entire column so that is not going to be an issue. But the column just seems to put the steering wheel in may lap. I don't have the seats in yet so let me put one in and see what I got. Thanks

[kglowacky]

I posted this on LS swap but I would like to ask you all. I bought a new rag joint on ebay. The bolt head is so large you cant get a socket around it and a no room for a wrench. Is there a special bolt needed to secure this rag joint. There is not enough clearance between the outside of the socket and the metal of the joint.

[Bloodhound]

Originally Posted by kglowacky

But the column just seems to put the steering wheel in may lap.

Sounds about right for these trucks. Somewhere there's a thread on here where someone was able to move their column towards the firewall a couple inches.

[kglowacky]

Update on moving column forward. Today I decided to try to move the column forward. I accomplished moving it approx. 3.5 inches forward. Here's the details. First it is a column shift tilt out of a 89 Suburban. I put this in 78 C-10. All the brackets on the column remained original. The column is bolted on the top to two studs that are part of the brake pedal assm bracket. I took the brake assm bracket off and drill two holes 3.5 inches inward on the bracket Then I welded studs in these holes. Now the bracket needed modified on one side to add the stud but it was just cutting and welding a plated on so the stud could had a solid place to rest. The only thing so far that I haven't solved is the park rev neutral drive electronic switch at the end of the column had to be removed, so the column would slide through the firewall. Not sure what this switch is for but I am thinking it shows you what gear you are in on the dash. It may also only let you start the truck in park. I figure I can wire around it for starting purposes and the 78 c-10 has a manual gear indicator in it. Now you will have to shorten the shaft between the column and Steering box and that was explained in this thread earlier. Any questions please feel free to ask.