What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DENALI · 02-09-2012, 11:35 PM

I would like to install a tilt column in the 54 i am going to build. I was curious as to what you guys used for a donor vehicle? Are there any out there without a key so i can use the dash key and a button? Thanks

pgf545 · 02-09-2012, 11:37 PM

We went after market....Ididit with the key in the dash and a column shifter. I have a couple of pictures on my build thread.

Bernie

OrrieG · 02-10-2012, 01:20 AM

82 Eldorado, tilt telescope. shorter than standard gm columns. But some folks do not like the "bulk" of the gm columns. After the photo was taken, I lowered it about 3/4" so it wasn't at the extreme bottom of the tilt.

soupernova · 02-10-2012, 04:15 AM

I'm going to use a tilt out of a pre 81 Chevy/gmc van less bulk and no key in the column and cheap to find
Posted via Mobile Device

BigBlocksRule · 02-10-2012, 07:34 AM

^ I have one out of 70's van. Clean with no extra plastic or junk, nice tilt and the key is on the dash. You may have to look awhile, I just happened on one that was being parted out in a field after finding all of 'em missing in junkyards.

usmc_butler · 02-10-2012, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBlocksRule

^ I have one out of 70's van. Clean with no extra plastic or junk, nice tilt and the key is on the dash. You may have to look awhile, I just happened on one that was being parted out in a field after finding all of 'em missing in junkyards.

x2 some vans have the shift linkage that comes out on the opposite side though so watch out...

papastrk · 02-10-2012, 11:50 AM

X3 on 70's Chevy van column. It was a nice, clean install that was affordable when there are so many things to purchase along the way in a build.

_Ogre · 02-10-2012, 03:06 PM

89 astro mini van, but it has column shift/key/dimmer/tilt/cruise
also cost me $35 and looks a lot like orrieg's column under the firewall

Maximus · 02-10-2012, 05:52 PM

I used a 78' firebird column, but wanted the key in the column (EZ Wiring harness already pre-wired for the GM Column iginition)

If you don't want the column ignition, as mentioned a late 70's column is the best choice, and most of the vans are automatics and have the gear selector on the column, a bonus for you automatic runners...

only thing I have heard is sometimes you have to have the column shortened a little. A driveline shop can probably do it if you dont want to...

trailrunner · 02-12-2012, 03:15 PM

This thread addresses the info that I'm looking for today. I've got a '52 that I need a steering column for, and I also have the EZ wiring kit with the steering column connector. One more question, though ..... where do you guys locate your transmission gear indicators? Back in the day, these were located on the column itself. But on the pic of the '89 Astro van column, I don't notice the steering indicator. Do you install that into the dash? Thanks. Bill

papastrk · 02-13-2012, 05:13 AM

Indicator remains on the column as original.

55metalmonkey · 02-13-2012, 12:19 PM

I'm useing a mid 60s caddy tilt/telescopeing one in my 55, I'm sure someone has used the same in a AD

OrrieG · 02-13-2012, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trailrunner

This thread addresses the info that I'm looking for today. I've got a '52 that I need a steering column for, and I also have the EZ wiring kit with the steering column connector. One more question, though ..... where do you guys locate your transmission gear indicators? Back in the day, these were located on the column itself. But on the pic of the '89 Astro van column, I don't notice the steering indicator. Do you install that into the dash? Thanks. Bill

You can get aftermarket indicators for auto trans that mount on columns that do not have them. From plain plastic to chrome trimmed with light.

_Ogre · 02-13-2012, 03:32 PM

safety first? really fred? maybe everyone should do a column change every 100,000 miles on the dd.

_Ogre · 02-13-2012, 03:39 PM

trailrunner
the astro/safari column had the prndl in the dash, it worked off a thread that was screwed to the column.
i used a stick on prndl from ididit, i'm thinking it cost me $14

the astro column was prnd21, i put in a 700r4 and just used the prnd321 from ididit
i also cut off the sheet metal floor mount and re-positioned it for my floor

this pic shows the prndl a little better

mr48chev · 02-13-2012, 04:08 PM

the last tilt I had in the 48 was out of an 84 Olds Cutlass because it was the one that i found in my friends wrecking yard that had was made for use with a floor shift. I still had to shorten it several inches but that isn't that hard to do with the post 1968 GM columns.

This time around I'm hunting for a van tilt w/o the switch and I'll cut the shifter off and fill the hole and repaint it. A bit of work but a lot less money than an aftermarket unit.

02-09-2012, 11:35 PM	#1
DENALI Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: RC Kansas Posts: 71	What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? I would like to install a tilt column in the 54 i am going to build. I was curious as to what you guys used for a donor vehicle? Are there any out there without a key so i can use the dash key and a button? Thanks

02-09-2012, 11:37 PM	#2
pgf545 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Santa Fe,Texas Posts: 933	Re: What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? We went after market....Ididit with the key in the dash and a column shifter. I have a couple of pictures on my build thread. Bernie __________________ 52 Chevy Truck (Dad's) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206021

02-10-2012, 01:20 AM	#3
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? 82 Eldorado, tilt telescope. shorter than standard gm columns. But some folks do not like the "bulk" of the gm columns. After the photo was taken, I lowered it about 3/4" so it wasn't at the extreme bottom of the tilt. Attached Images __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

02-10-2012, 04:15 AM	#4
soupernova Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 25	Re: What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? I'm going to use a tilt out of a pre 81 Chevy/gmc van less bulk and no key in the column and cheap to find Posted via Mobile Device Last edited by soupernova; 02-10-2012 at 04:17 AM. Reason: added info

02-10-2012, 07:34 AM	#5
BigBlocksRule Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 2,047	Re: What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? ^ I have one out of 70's van. Clean with no extra plastic or junk, nice tilt and the key is on the dash. You may have to look awhile, I just happened on one that was being parted out in a field after finding all of 'em missing in junkyards.

02-10-2012, 11:50 AM	#7
papastrk Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Southern Oklahoma Posts: 181	Re: What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? X3 on 70's Chevy van column. It was a nice, clean install that was affordable when there are so many things to purchase along the way in a build.

02-10-2012, 03:06 PM	#8
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,677	Re: What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? 89 astro mini van, but it has column shift/key/dimmer/tilt/cruise also cost me $35 and looks a lot like orrieg's column under the firewall __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

02-10-2012, 05:52 PM	#9
Maximus Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 672	Re: What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? I used a 78' firebird column, but wanted the key in the column (EZ Wiring harness already pre-wired for the GM Column iginition) If you don't want the column ignition, as mentioned a late 70's column is the best choice, and most of the vans are automatics and have the gear selector on the column, a bonus for you automatic runners... only thing I have heard is sometimes you have to have the column shortened a little. A driveline shop can probably do it if you dont want to... __________________ 1955 2nd Series 3100 - 400 Pontiac / BW Super T-10 4-Speed 1972 K5 Blazer 350 Auto 4x4 1928 Ford Model A Tudor

02-12-2012, 03:15 PM	#10
trailrunner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Charles Town, WV Posts: 34	Re: What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? This thread addresses the info that I'm looking for today. I've got a '52 that I need a steering column for, and I also have the EZ wiring kit with the steering column connector. One more question, though ..... where do you guys locate your transmission gear indicators? Back in the day, these were located on the column itself. But on the pic of the '89 Astro van column, I don't notice the steering indicator. Do you install that into the dash? Thanks. Bill

02-13-2012, 05:13 AM	#11
papastrk Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Southern Oklahoma Posts: 181	Re: What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? Indicator remains on the column as original.

02-13-2012, 12:19 PM	#12
55metalmonkey Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: West Kelowna, BC Posts: 488	Re: What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? I'm useing a mid 60s caddy tilt/telescopeing one in my 55, I'm sure someone has used the same in a AD

02-13-2012, 03:32 PM	#14
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,677	Re: What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? safety first? really fred? maybe everyone should do a column change every 100,000 miles on the dd. __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

02-13-2012, 03:39 PM	#15
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,677	Re: What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? trailrunner the astro/safari column had the prndl in the dash, it worked off a thread that was screwed to the column. i used a stick on prndl from ididit, i'm thinking it cost me $14 the astro column was prnd21, i put in a 700r4 and just used the prnd321 from ididit i also cut off the sheet metal floor mount and re-positioned it for my floor this pic shows the prndl a little better __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

02-13-2012, 04:08 PM	#16
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,346	Re: What have you guys used for a tilt steering column? the last tilt I had in the 48 was out of an 84 Olds Cutlass because it was the one that i found in my friends wrecking yard that had was made for use with a floor shift. I still had to shorten it several inches but that isn't that hard to do with the post 1968 GM columns. This time around I'm hunting for a van tilt w/o the switch and I'll cut the shifter off and fill the hole and repaint it. A bit of work but a lot less money than an aftermarket unit.



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