Is this a van tilt column? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**chev-obsession** · 12-16-2019, 09:36 PM

Hey guys,

To make a long story short I got this column out of a mid 70’s Chevy motor home for free today. I know it’s rough and missing quite a bit. Is this a tilt column? It’s not perfectly straight where the gear selector is and it has a few heavier springs inside and looks to have the horseshoe rod end. I couldn’t get anything to make it tilt. But I figured for it being free and 20 minutes of my time, I didn’t have much to loose

**chev-obsession** · 12-16-2019, 09:37 PM

More pics

**70shortfleet** · 12-16-2019, 10:21 PM

looks like one, need a picture of the lower part, could be a motor home tilt also.

**chev-obsession** · 12-16-2019, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70shortfleet

looks like one, need a picture of the lower part, could be a motor home tilt also.

Lower part of the column where it bolts to the steering box?

**FirstOwner69** · 12-17-2019, 12:39 AM

Here's a picture of the 3 types of tilts.
Top- motorhome
Middle- truck
Bottom- van (picture this one without the fitting attached on the splines at the end of the shaft. I hadn't removed it when I took the picture.)

**chev-obsession** · 12-17-2019, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Here's a picture of the 3 types of tilts.
Top- motorhome
Middle- truck
Bottom- van (picture this one without the fitting attached on the splines at the end of the shaft. I hadn't removed it when I took the picture.)

Dang the motorhome and truck look identical!!

Do you know if there is a way I can activate the tilt in the column I have with all the levers being gone? I started pushing on the spring and couldn’t get the tilt to activate.

**FirstOwner69** · 12-17-2019, 01:50 AM

Here's a closeup that shows the difference between motor home and truck tilts. The motor home column has a bent transmission linkage arm and the neutral safety switch farther up the column.

Without a lever I don't think you'll be able to tilt it. I suppose a long bolt with the correct threads would work.

**chev-obsession** · 12-17-2019, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Here's a closeup that shows the difference between motor home and truck tilts. The motor home column has a bent transmission linkage arm and the neutral safety switch farther up the column.

Without a lever I don't think you'll be able to tilt it. I suppose a long bolt with the correct threads would work.

I didn’t see that little difference. I defiantly have a van column then. Now the task comes to see if I can get it to tilt...

Andy4639 · 12-17-2019, 09:51 AM

Get some 1/4" x20 all thread rod or a 1/4" x 20 long bolt and screw it into the column. Put the tube in a vise and you may have to spray it down good with some kind of lubricate like WD-40 to loosen it up. From the rod threads on the steering wheel end any way.
Yep looks like a van tilt from the pictures.

Nice score for free though!

**70cst** · 12-17-2019, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Here's a picture of the 3 types of tilts.
Top- motorhome
Middle- truck
Bottom- van (picture this one without the fitting attached on the splines at the end of the shaft. I hadn't removed it when I took the picture.)

Excellent - Thanks

**chev-obsession** · 12-18-2019, 02:03 AM

Thanks for your guys input!! I was able to get a bolt into the tilt mechanism and activate the tilt, she needs a rebuild but that’s a project for another day.

12-16-2019, 09:36 PM	#1
chev-obsession Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: kennewick, WA Posts: 1,504	Is this a van tilt column? Hey guys, To make a long story short I got this column out of a mid 70’s Chevy motor home for free today. I know it’s rough and missing quite a bit. Is this a tilt column? It’s not perfectly straight where the gear selector is and it has a few heavier springs inside and looks to have the horseshoe rod end. I couldn’t get anything to make it tilt. But I figured for it being free and 20 minutes of my time, I didn’t have much to loose Attached Images __________________ 1965 c/10 swb 1969 c/10 lwb Last edited by chev-obsession; 12-16-2019 at 10:01 PM.

12-16-2019, 09:37 PM	#2
chev-obsession Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: kennewick, WA Posts: 1,504	Re: Is this a van tilt column? More pics Attached Images __________________ 1965 c/10 swb 1969 c/10 lwb

12-16-2019, 10:21 PM	#3
70shortfleet Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: St.Peters, MO Posts: 2,226	Re: Is this a van tilt column? looks like one, need a picture of the lower part, could be a motor home tilt also.

12-17-2019, 12:39 AM	#5
FirstOwner69 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin & Arizona Posts: 4,843	Re: Is this a van tilt column? Here's a picture of the 3 types of tilts. Top- motorhome Middle- truck Bottom- van (picture this one without the fitting attached on the splines at the end of the shaft. I hadn't removed it when I took the picture.) Attached Images

12-17-2019, 01:50 AM	#7
FirstOwner69 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin & Arizona Posts: 4,843	Re: Is this a van tilt column? Here's a closeup that shows the difference between motor home and truck tilts. The motor home column has a bent transmission linkage arm and the neutral safety switch farther up the column. Without a lever I don't think you'll be able to tilt it. I suppose a long bolt with the correct threads would work. Attached Images

12-17-2019, 09:51 AM	#9
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Is this a van tilt column? Get some 1/4" x20 all thread rod or a 1/4" x 20 long bolt and screw it into the column. Put the tube in a vise and you may have to spray it down good with some kind of lubricate like WD-40 to loosen it up. From the rod threads on the steering wheel end any way. Yep looks like a van tilt from the pictures. Nice score for free though! __________________ 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.

12-18-2019, 02:03 AM	#11
chev-obsession Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: kennewick, WA Posts: 1,504	Re: Is this a van tilt column? Thanks for your guys input!! I was able to get a bolt into the tilt mechanism and activate the tilt, she needs a rebuild but that’s a project for another day. __________________ 1965 c/10 swb 1969 c/10 lwb



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