can i use this on my truck??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

muscletruck · 10-28-2002, 10:07 PM

can i use an 81 half ton chevy truck tilt column on my truck? thanks

ckhd · 10-28-2002, 10:15 PM

The key is in the wrong spot. I think that's the main reason we don't use them.

IMHO, anything can be made to work with the proper fabrication.

muscletruck · 10-28-2002, 10:25 PM

oh ok..so its not gonna be a direct bolt up?
thanks
-jeremy

**Desert Rat** · 10-28-2002, 11:08 PM

It can be made to fit but fabbed,column has key,its a fatter column,remember 1981 is also metric crap,and the shift indicator is in the cluster in the 73 up trucks.If you are looking for a tilt get one from a van almost a direct bolt in,including conversion and installation a max of 2 hours with,breaks inbetween.or spend the $ and buy a truck one.

lofly'a · 10-28-2002, 11:35 PM

i have considered this swap in my 71 gmc project, and the problem lies (in my view) mostly at the dash cutout where the column passes in route to the floor and the underdash "tunnel" support bracket. i plan on removing the outer shell/cover on the lower shaft of the column and measuring/modifying it to see if it will pass without modifying the dash, all these columns have an outer sleeve to hide the ign rod and wiring. as far as the key cylinder and/or shifter goes, remove all the inner mechanisms to them, grind the outer column raised surfaces off and fill with epoxy or fiberglass, sand smooth and finish (yes i've done it before). i know this is a long way to get a tilt column, but 67-72 tilts go for 250.00 and up everywhere i've inquired and van tilts are non-existent around here

and i have at least 2 tilt/teles, and 4 or 5 complete tilt columns so what the hell, as long as i don't have to chop up the dash to get it to fit. and.......if i do get the tilt/tele to fit (guess you can tell that i can care less about stock or stock looking) then it will be a lot more comfortable to cruise. you could also use the key cylinder if you chose to, you'll have to rewire the signals and horn anyway if you make this swap. if anyone else has swapped a later model tilt in a 67 to 72 please help, i would also like to hear and learn from your experiences

10-28-2002, 10:07 PM	#1
muscletruck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: anahiem,ca,usa Posts: 201	can i use this on my truck??? can i use an 81 half ton chevy truck tilt column on my truck? thanks __________________ i think i found me truck! 78 Crew Cab Dually 454/TH400, Dual Flows, Edelbrock Intake, Cam, Lifters, Billet Grill, K&N Airfilter, Grant Steering Wheel, A/C, soon to be power windows and locks, lots of plans for this... ....gas prices go down please

10-28-2002, 10:15 PM	#2
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	The key is in the wrong spot. I think that's the main reason we don't use them. IMHO, anything can be made to work with the proper fabrication. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

10-28-2002, 10:25 PM	#3
muscletruck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: anahiem,ca,usa Posts: 201	oh ok..so its not gonna be a direct bolt up? thanks -jeremy __________________ i think i found me truck! 78 Crew Cab Dually 454/TH400, Dual Flows, Edelbrock Intake, Cam, Lifters, Billet Grill, K&N Airfilter, Grant Steering Wheel, A/C, soon to be power windows and locks, lots of plans for this... ....gas prices go down please

10-28-2002, 11:35 PM	#5
lofly'a Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Alexandria, LA 71301 Posts: 1,451	i have considered this swap in my 71 gmc project, and the problem lies (in my view) mostly at the dash cutout where the column passes in route to the floor and the underdash "tunnel" support bracket. i plan on removing the outer shell/cover on the lower shaft of the column and measuring/modifying it to see if it will pass without modifying the dash, all these columns have an outer sleeve to hide the ign rod and wiring. as far as the key cylinder and/or shifter goes, remove all the inner mechanisms to them, grind the outer column raised surfaces off and fill with epoxy or fiberglass, sand smooth and finish (yes i've done it before). i know this is a long way to get a tilt column, but 67-72 tilts go for 250.00 and up everywhere i've inquired and van tilts are non-existent around here and i have at least 2 tilt/teles, and 4 or 5 complete tilt columns so what the hell, as long as i don't have to chop up the dash to get it to fit. and.......if i do get the tilt/tele to fit (guess you can tell that i can care less about stock or stock looking) then it will be a lot more comfortable to cruise. you could also use the key cylinder if you chose to, you'll have to rewire the signals and horn anyway if you make this swap. if anyone else has swapped a later model tilt in a 67 to 72 please help, i would also like to hear and learn from your experiences __________________ -02 avalanche (daily driver) -66 gto ragtop 389/400 (garage queen, hand-me-down from dad) -72 Tribute Trans Am (6.0LS/T56 6-speed) in progress -2003 YUKON (Wife's) -71 gmc swb fleet (current project, gonna shave everything, bags, stuff w/ 20's, gen III powertrain) -48 3100 SWB - 12/31/23 LONG TERM Project

10-28-2002, 11:08 PM	#4
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	It can be made to fit but fabbed,column has key,its a fatter column,remember 1981 is also metric crap,and the shift indicator is in the cluster in the 73 up trucks.If you are looking for a tilt get one from a van almost a direct bolt in,including conversion and installation a max of 2 hours with,breaks inbetween.or spend the $ and buy a truck one.



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