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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Prattville, AL
Posts: 608
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New steeing column quality vs cost
Before I order my new steering column I wanted to check with the group to see if I'm on the best path.
What I am planning on ordering is a CPP chrome, tilt, automatic steering column. I have been told the CPP retooled their columns are good quality. It comes with the shift and turn levers. With shipping and such it comes in around $520. What do you Y'all think?
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-------------------------------------------------------- 1967 C10 "Snowball" (Currently in a thousand pieces down from a bazillion) 1989 Toyota DLX pickup "The Hulk" |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
A while back I was shopping columns and after reading about the aftermarket problems I went with a stainless Flaming river manual column from Pickmup , Just like good brakes I kinda like to know the column is a quality piece . If I had a 4wd running in the ditch wouldn't bother me as much ....
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![]() 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop |
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Wenatchee, Wa
Posts: 910
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
Same as Grumpy. Flaming River
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: hebron, illinois
Posts: 139
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
Go for the quality. I bought a cheap ebay one for $300 for my last truck. What a POS. the bearing went bad after a week.
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,702
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
I am enjoying my rebuilt and shortened original stock steering column. I guess if I didn't have a steering column at all I would buy a used one and have it rebuilt and shortened.
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Prattville, AL
Posts: 608
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
Thanks for the info. I do have two old columns that are wore out and I don't want to use them. I figure the $200 to $300 ones are crap and I really only want to do this once.
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-------------------------------------------------------- 1967 C10 "Snowball" (Currently in a thousand pieces down from a bazillion) 1989 Toyota DLX pickup "The Hulk" |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Indanapolis, IN
Posts: 604
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
Factory gm, ididit, or flaming river only.
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#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca
Posts: 1,210
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
If you have the funds, get the best you can. I have a tilt CPP and while it is OK, It just doesn't feel as solid as the stock one did. I've had it a few years now and one of these days will change it out.
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Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: California
Posts: 945
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
$800!!!! Wow I am glad steering columns aren't my problem/goals...
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Prattville, AL
Posts: 608
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
Found another concern the neutral safety/backup light switch. The ones I have been looking at do not come with so I am concerned that I will run into problems getting one without the switch. Looking at the columns themselves I don't see any holes for the switch.
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-------------------------------------------------------- 1967 C10 "Snowball" (Currently in a thousand pieces down from a bazillion) 1989 Toyota DLX pickup "The Hulk" |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Catskill Mountains,NY
Posts: 8,471
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
I got a rebuilt oem tilt that was shortened for the 72. Very happy with it may have to get one for my 68
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Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary. |
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#12 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Edmonton Alberta
Posts: 1,331
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
I haven't tried the Flaming River but that stainless finish sure is preferable to chrome imo, depending upon the look you are going for, of course.
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DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10 |
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#13 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,211
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
Buy a GM column. If an original truck tilt isn’t in your budget, get a van or RV column. Check the parts for sale area. I’ve bought 8 or 10 of them from Member clay68. He disassembles them, cleans and greases the bearings, relocates the neutral safety switch and installs turn signal switch and gear indicator(as needed) for the same price as a garbage Chinese column.
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07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count |
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#14 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Cheraw
Posts: 1,305
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
2X on what SoCo10 said go to the parts for sale posts. Plenty of members selling rebuilt factory columns. They will be better than after market. You can maybe get one of them to rebuild one of your columns and use the other one for parts if you need any.
Last edited by BigBird05; 09-19-2021 at 05:32 AM. Reason: add info |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Prattville, AL
Posts: 608
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
Thanks, I'll look on the parts board.
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-------------------------------------------------------- 1967 C10 "Snowball" (Currently in a thousand pieces down from a bazillion) 1989 Toyota DLX pickup "The Hulk" |
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#16 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 181
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
Quote:
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Steve ___________________________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=618848 |
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#17 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Yuba City, Ca
Posts: 1,945
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
Is the CPP column Chinese made? I wouldn’t even consider it if it is.
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Kirk 72 Blazer CST 4wd highlander |
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#18 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,963
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
another vote for randy500 - haven't bought from him (yet), but the unsolicited reviews from very satisfied customers on this board tell the tale. When the time comes, I will go to him for a column or rebuild without hesitation. Nothing really beats a nice GM column, so why not spend the $ rebuilding a quality piece rather than experimenting with flaming river, cpp, etc - some of them may actually be high quality, but when it comes to what looks right in your cab, original far exceeds any other option in my humble opinion. Also echo Troy's note above about the van van tilt option - can be done easily and they are always less $ than a true truck tilt - but same level of quality.
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#19 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Portland - OR
Posts: 243
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
Quote:
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Prattville, AL
Posts: 608
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Re: New steering column quality vs cost
Since Randy500 can't be reached. What other board members sell rebuilt column shift, tilt steering column that people would recommend?
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-------------------------------------------------------- 1967 C10 "Snowball" (Currently in a thousand pieces down from a bazillion) 1989 Toyota DLX pickup "The Hulk" |
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#21 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 2,121
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
Quote:
- He was very courteous & column packaged well & shipped when he said. - It LOOKED great. - Hazard switch was jammed in & would not pull out. - When took apart to fix the switch found the upper bearing was installed in wrong side of piece under turn signal switch. - Lower bearing installed on shaft at wrong distance from end. This all has been a total pain in my ass & the thing that has delayed me from being able to take the maiden voyage in my truck this past weekend, so no I'm not impressed with his work to say the least!
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'72 C to K20 "Cannibalizer" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...32#post8653432 '85 K30 "Big Nassy" '01 2500 Suburban ...party wagon & tow truck '06 Silverado SS...DD '06 C1500 WT...DD '07 Classic C1500 WT...DD Built & sold cause can't keep 'em all: '72 Blazer "The Bucket" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=433190 '55 Chevy straight axle gasser https://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173938 '69 Pro Street Chevelle http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332541 '86 M1031 CUCV http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=553619 |
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#22 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,702
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
KevsClassics is recommended by several board members, and anew4961 is recommended by Grumpy old man in this other thread https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=826030.
If you have a steering column shortened, I recommend have the person doing it shorten the outer jacket and shift tube and move the neutral safety and reverse light switch closer to the steering wheel, which Randy did for me. That way the transmission linkage position does not change under the hood. And have the center shaft shortened and re-splined. Randy did not shorten and re-spline my center shaft and instead used a spacer tube. He had considered shortening it and did the spacer instead. It works great, but I had to re-route my parking brake cable slightly and that part annoyed me. I would prefer everything under the hood be in the same position as before shortening. Non-tilt steering columns can be shortened more than tilt columns. The huge majority of people want tilt columns, I'm not sure why and I like my non-tilt column just fine. Mine was the first non-tilt column that Randy had worked on. Mine is now shorter by 2.5 inches and it is very nice having the steering wheel further away. |
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#23 | |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 20,005
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
Quote:
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810493 OP, if you are looking for a rebuilt column board members 70shortfleet and KevsClassics sell rebuilt OEM tilt columns.
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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 |
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#24 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 4,339
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Re: New steeing column quality vs cost
I'll second the mention for 70shortfleet. I have bought more than 1 from him. My most recent was a 4 speed, non-tilt for my 1970 GMC Jimmy that was color matched for my 1 year only blue poly color that he luckily had some of. Top notch experience and would buy from again.
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: St Peters, MO
Posts: 439
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Re: New steering column quality vs cost
I also got a rebuilt GM tilt from Les (70shortfleet) and sold my CPP one on CL - wish I would have just stepped up for a GM column to begin with. My cousin just got one from Les for his '71 K10. Fortunately for me Les is nearby, so I got the nickel tour of his shop and talked trucks for a while.
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1967 C20, 350 SBC w/Comp roller cam, 700R4 w/3.42 posi, PS, 4-wheel PDB, Old Air AC & GM Tilt column. |
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