steering column upgrade

[kglowacky]

bought a 1978 c-10 in pieces. The seller was bragging about how he was giving me a upgraded tilt steering column out of a 89 suburban. Just installed it in car and it looks way to long between the dash and the seat . Anyone know if this column would be longer??? Thanks

[MDPotter]

I don't know much about square bodies. But if it has the same style connection between the section that attaches to the rag joint and the rest of the column, you can melt the plastic out of that joint, slide that connection in (to shorten the overall length), drill two new holes, and bolt it back together. That's what I did as my column was longer than I wanted.

[truckdude239]

Originally Posted by MDPotter

I don't know much about square bodies. But if it has the same style connection between the section that attaches to the rag joint and the rest of the column, you can melt the plastic out of that joint, slide that connection in (to shorten the overall length), drill two new holes, and bolt it back together. That's what I did as my column was longer than I wanted.

thats what i did was melt the plastic and collapse the intermitt shaft but i did not bolt it back together as it is ment to collapse incase of an accident

[kglowacky]

I like the idea . One question . I am guessing some fab has to be done on the attaching bracket where it bots to the dash.

[Wgesnerjr]

One thing to note: 78 has dash mounted wiper switch and floor mounted headlight dimmer. The 89 column will have all that on the turn signal stalk.

[kglowacky]

agree I will may one or the other work depending on the new wiring harness that I buy

[87chevy.com]

Originally Posted by kglowacky

bought a 1978 c-10 in pieces. The seller was bragging about how he was giving me a upgraded tilt steering column out of a 89 suburban. Just installed it in car and it looks way to long between the dash and the seat . Anyone know if this column would be longer??? Thanks

Thats just how it is. Ive only had tilt steering in all of my (3) squares I've owned and thats just how it feels. Only option to get rid of it is to do what you already mentioned slide the column towards the firewall, but to get the most out of it, your going to need a cut off wheel and welder.. ill take a picture of mine when the replacement wiper switch comes in Tuesday. basically with the sport steering wheel its about an inch from the dash. cannot go any further.

I also have a picture or 2 on my imageshack account that shows one of the mods needed to accomplish it. once the steering wheel is reinstalled, ill update with pictures.
clint

[kglowacky]

I got mine to slide in 3 inches by removing the lower switch on the column which is a switch that tells what gear you are in and then drilling two hole in the brake bracket 3 inches down (have to fab a small notch on one side) from where the originals are and welding studs in the holes. Now the column looks good. Only challenge is do I need the switch I removed. I am thinking it is only for a dash light to tell me what gear I am in or to only let it start in park. I will figure out a solution for this.

[87chevy.com]

Originally Posted by kglowacky

I got mine to slide in 3 inches by removing the lower switch on the column which is a switch that tells what gear you are in and then drilling two hole in the brake bracket 3 inches down (have to fab a small notch on one side) from where the originals are and welding studs in the holes. Now the column looks good. Only challenge is do I need the switch I removed. I am thinking it is only for a dash light to tell me what gear I am in or to only let it start in park. I will figure out a solution for this.

one switch is for reverse lights
other switch is park neutral

so, no switches = no reverse lights or park neutral unless you wire in the 4L60e park neutral switch properly which no engine swap pallet people do ever



heres the pictures I found when I did this mod 7 years or more ago:

simply cut out a section, dont go to deep, just cutting the tube off



picture shows the new rectangle shaped notch in the 2nd tube for the park neutral / reverse light switch




took the piece of colum i just cut out and cut it in half and swapped locations. tacked them together and placed over column to get the new location for the park neutral / reverse switch hole location.

welded up



also recommend getting a new steering column bearing at the end / engine side from a jeep wrangler, Omix-Ada 18019.03 is better than the Crown brand.
and the jeep wrangler steering shaft. its cheaper than the Cherokee, has the same fittings as the Cherokee but is about a foot longer, once shortened direct bolt in, just need to add a rivet to the column shaft to act as the notch some people talk about it needing. The wrangler version I bought did not require the steering column shaft to be notched for the bolt to pass through. I wound up adding a small washer and a rivet between the end of the shaft and where the pinch bolt is so if it became loose, it couldn't slide off (because the rivet head would stop it.

shaft at column showing rivet and washer to get the right height.



gearbox side



clint

[kglowacky]

I am impressed. I will do this to mine . Thank You it will make my project that much better. Thanks again some of that Houston Proud ingenuity

what year jeep wrangler

[87chevy.com]

Originally Posted by kglowacky

I am impressed. I will do this to mine . Thank You it will make my project that much better. Thanks again some of that Houston Proud ingenuity

what year jeep wrangler

87-95 Jeep Wrangler is the one I bought and used.
Clint

[kglowacky]

I am using a 89 column it has a different connecter then a 78 the 89 has a oval type looking connection on column shaft. The 78 is a perfect circle with spines. Do you remember what he jeep is . Thanks

[kglowacky]

update. just finished the job of moving the column switch. A little tricky since I cant weld very good but overall straight forward. Ordered a new lower bearing per the info above. Interesting it shows it to fit a wrangler but no where could I find one to fit my 89 suburban column. Goes to show good to ask on this forum.. Thanks again it was a big help

[87chevy.com]

Originally Posted by kglowacky

update. just finished the job of moving the column switch. A little tricky since I cant weld very good but overall straight forward. Ordered a new lower bearing per the info above. Interesting it shows it to fit a wrangler but no where could I find one to fit my 89 suburban column. Goes to show good to ask on this forum.. Thanks again it was a big help

No problem, I actually just removed the steering column on mine and the bracket that it bolts too. After 7 years, i just noticed it was barely touching the ignition switch wires. Only noticed it because I was replacing the wiper wash switch, and was actually disappointed that the pulse settings don't click like i was expecting it to, guess its just a rheostat or something in there?

So, I scooted the pedal over the thickness of a cylinder head washer.. maybe 1/4-3/16. I'll take a picture but there's I though of 2 ways it could be done.
one, requires welding, but it needs to be solid weld, since its brake pedal pivot mounting point.
or
two, take it to a machine shop and have them mill off what ever thickness of washer you provide on the pedal and spacer.

I almost was gonna take it to the machine shop, although its a easy job, its still gonna cost 50-100 for their time and tools. Itching to get it back together then onto other upgrades.
clint