Steering Column Swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Free88 · 08-28-2006, 01:31 AM

Has anyone changed a straight column to a tilt column on an 81 Chevy pickup. The column is out of an 87 with the dimmer and wiper switches on the left side of the column, controlled by one lever. Getting the dimmer hooked up is no problem. The problem is in the wiper switch. What wires are used to hook up the motor? The wiper motor on the 81 is different than the 87. If I use the motor from the 87 on the 81 the pump hooks up differently and I am not sure of how to hook up the wires from the wiper switch from the dash to the new column switch. removing the switch from the dash of the 81. Is there a post or some kind chevy person that can help? Thanks.

piecesparts · 08-28-2006, 10:15 AM

The circuits should hook right up. The switch is in a different place, but the principal is the same. The only thing tha tyou would have to look into, is the switch on the 87 column--does it have a intermittent wiper indication? I am guessing that the wiper motor inyour truck is not inetermittent, if it is on the dash. If so, then you should change out the switch to match your wiper motor. The wiper switch is a little bit of a trick to remove, but it can be done, especially if the column is still on the bench. I have done it ther and in a truck.

Free88 · 08-28-2006, 11:17 PM

IS there an adapter plug that will go from the dash mounted switch to the column mount. The steering column has an intermittent switch and the other does not. We have the motor and all for the swap. There is a black box on the steering column that the wiper switch hooks into. I believe this to be the delay wiper control. The other end nas a plug that hooks up to the fuse block. I have cut the wires to the fuse block, leaving enough wire to rejoin woth another hook up later. Th eonly problem now is to get the wipers from the dash to the column. Thanks for the help. Any other ideas. All is appreciated.

wildmanaaron · 10-11-2006, 10:30 PM

I'm in the process of doing the same thing. Does anybody else have any information on this swap?

HotRod73 · 10-12-2006, 09:58 AM

i have a NICE steering column ide like to get rid of email me or pm me if interested from a 80s model complete with steering wheel and keys ill take $35 its tight too

beaterC10 · 10-12-2006, 10:27 AM

The black box on the column is the wiper delay. The only differences between delay and non-delay wipers for a given year are the wiper switch and the wiper delay box.

08-28-2006, 01:31 AM	#1
Free88 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Northwestern Ontario Canada Posts: 359	Steering Column Swap Has anyone changed a straight column to a tilt column on an 81 Chevy pickup. The column is out of an 87 with the dimmer and wiper switches on the left side of the column, controlled by one lever. Getting the dimmer hooked up is no problem. The problem is in the wiper switch. What wires are used to hook up the motor? The wiper motor on the 81 is different than the 87. If I use the motor from the 87 on the 81 the pump hooks up differently and I am not sure of how to hook up the wires from the wiper switch from the dash to the new column switch. removing the switch from the dash of the 81. Is there a post or some kind chevy person that can help? Thanks. __________________ 1986 Silverado Short box fleet side. project 2005 VW Tiguan 4 Motion 1997 Blazer S10 4x4 1990 Chevy Silverado K1500 Extended long box

08-28-2006, 10:15 AM	#2
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Steering Column Swap The circuits should hook right up. The switch is in a different place, but the principal is the same. The only thing tha tyou would have to look into, is the switch on the 87 column--does it have a intermittent wiper indication? I am guessing that the wiper motor inyour truck is not inetermittent, if it is on the dash. If so, then you should change out the switch to match your wiper motor. The wiper switch is a little bit of a trick to remove, but it can be done, especially if the column is still on the bench. I have done it ther and in a truck.

08-28-2006, 11:17 PM	#3
Free88 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Northwestern Ontario Canada Posts: 359	Re: Steering Column Swap IS there an adapter plug that will go from the dash mounted switch to the column mount. The steering column has an intermittent switch and the other does not. We have the motor and all for the swap. There is a black box on the steering column that the wiper switch hooks into. I believe this to be the delay wiper control. The other end nas a plug that hooks up to the fuse block. I have cut the wires to the fuse block, leaving enough wire to rejoin woth another hook up later. Th eonly problem now is to get the wipers from the dash to the column. Thanks for the help. Any other ideas. All is appreciated. __________________ 1986 Silverado Short box fleet side. project 2005 VW Tiguan 4 Motion 1997 Blazer S10 4x4 1990 Chevy Silverado K1500 Extended long box

10-11-2006, 10:30 PM	#4
wildmanaaron Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bowling Green, KY Posts: 396	Re: Steering Column Swap I'm in the process of doing the same thing. Does anybody else have any information on this swap?

10-12-2006, 09:58 AM	#5
HotRod73 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Norman, Oklahoma Posts: 553	Re: Steering Column Swap i have a NICE steering column ide like to get rid of email me or pm me if interested from a 80s model complete with steering wheel and keys ill take $35 its tight too

10-12-2006, 10:27 AM	#6
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	Re: Steering Column Swap The black box on the column is the wiper delay. The only differences between delay and non-delay wipers for a given year are the wiper switch and the wiper delay box.



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