Yet another tilt column question. This one: Using a '91 suburban column.

[skorpioskorpio]

I know there is a multitude of tilt column threads here, but most of the more relevent ones seem to be older. Anyway I am in search of a '69-72 Jimmy/Blazer project and doing a little research here. I currently have a '91 Suburban sitting idle that I plan on parting out for some of the components I may need and sell off the rest. I am going to probably use the buckets and the 3rd row seat, but would also like to use the tilt column and have it all work. How much work is this? I guess it is a larger diameter than the stock column? Is the length the same? I plan on replacing the steering with a mustang rack anyway so I'm not so concerned with the hookup to the stock steering box, I figure that will get sorted out with the new joints I'll need to get anyway. I know the key is on the column, but I kind of want that.

I also plan to do a vintage air setup and was thinking of ditching the stock center vent location and replacing it with 2 side vent "eye balls" where the original key and cigarette lighter are on either side of the H/A controls so I have space for a double DIN reciever/nav on top, is there enough depth for that there? Also is there anyone that has retrofitted delay wipers?

[skorpioskorpio]

Bueller? Bueller? Anybody? Anybody?

Apparently it's been done, this looks like a '91 Suburban column on a current auction pic:



I have no idea what works on the Blazer, or what was involved in putting the column in, and that's what I'm trying to find out. This particular one looks kinda hacky, has a hole in the dash where the key used to be and a heater vent hose hanging out of the radio slot for whatever reason. It also looks like maybe it's a little far from the dash but it's hard to judge.

[truckster]

I've never seen one, but that doesn't mean you can't do it. It might take some creative engineering and fabrication, though.

There was a guy a while back who put an entire 67-72 body on a newer truck. He used the interior from the newer truck, including the dash, and somehow made it look right. So I guess it's possible.

[skorpioskorpio]

Well looking into the Ididit and Flaming River columns they seem to fall short of some of the modern nicities of lets say the last of the pre-airbag columns. Just from the sense of not having to think when moving from vehicle to vehicle, the natural expectation is to reach for the wipers and the high beams on the column now. I know this board is full of purests that probably think a locking key on column is total blastphamy in one of these old trucks I personally am interested in building a truck for myself and for the next 20 years so I'm not so concerned what the next owner may have to undo or how correct it is for the truck....and lets face it putting a 20 year newer GM column on one of these trucks is no less blastfamous than putting an aftermarket column on.

The way I look at it between a more modern column, a Dakota or Classic Insturments cluster and the things you can stick in a double DIN component opening now, you can basically get everything in one of these old trucks that you can get in a new truck except anti-lock brakes and airbags. Oh and without the nightmare of every last thing connected to a central ECU that pops a check engine light for hundreds of codes including many with no relation to the engine at all.

As far as the basic column fit I would think that a 1991 column would measure out the same as a 1973 column so maybe that is an easier question because I would think the 1973 through 1991 would all be the same given they are essentially the same truck. This way I guess I'm asking can you put a 73 column in a 72, and it's not a 20 years span into the largely unknown land of Rs and Vs.

[truckster]

I had to laugh at myself when I read your second line. My Pontiac has the light switch on the turn signal stalk, and my Chevy van (both the same model year) has the wipers there. I drive the Pontiac more, so when I get in the van I sometimes turn the wipers on by mistake.

[skorpioskorpio]

Yea, my '03 Sonoma has the on at dusk headlights feature and when I drive the girlfriends car I have to make that concious effort to find and turn on the headlights everytime. I think this may be the best new feature since intermittent wipers....and easy to add, the lights not the wipers. I also thought if I moved the high.low to the column I could use the foot switch for something else, like fog lights or something. Actually before intermittent wipers Mercedes used to have a foot switch for the wipers, basically wipers were on low for as long as you held the switch down so if you pressed the switch for a moment they would wipe once and park, was a cool feature.