Which steering column to use?

[yossarian19]

I'm wanting to put the shifter on the column (saves me having to buy the Lokar), get a modern start switch & a tilt wheel sized for power steering.

I've already got the CPP power steering kit that uses the 70s-80s C10 box.

I also don't want to buy a lot of new hardware (column drops, firewall pass bracket, etc) to make a column work, or at least I want to know what I need ahead of time.

Is the 73-83 C10 column a good fit? I can't come up with a reason it wont work, but if I'm learning just one thing in this build, it's "ask lots of questions"

Looks like I just get the 73-83 column I found on ebay, bolt it in, attach the intermediate shaft I've got from the kit & call it a day.
What am I missing, though, that will bite me in the ass?

[Dan in Pasadena]

I've slways heard here that early '70's Chevy van columns are the way to go. Keeps your ignition in the dash, cheaper than ididit or Flaming River.
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[mknittle]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

I've slways heard here that early '70's Chevy van columns are the way to go. Keeps your ignition in the dash, cheaper than ididit or Flaming River.
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I wish I would have known that when I made mine

[Dan in Pasadena]

If you've got the fab skills to "make" your own steering column, my hat's off to you. Had to be cheaper than any other option...I'd think.
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[mr48chev]

Aftermarket tilt, Flaming River or Ididit period. Don't buy the off shore junk off Ebay or you will end up spending the extra money to replace it with one of the good ones.

The Chevy Van columns that don't have the key switch in them are some of the cleaner later model columns. That is if an early 80's column can be called a later model column. They do have the shifter on the column though but that could be eliminated and smoothed off with a bit of work.

I've got a regular column out of a 70 pickup that I had years ago that is going in my 48. It isn't a tilt but it is a clean column that came out of a four speed truck that doesn't have a shift handle on it. It shouldn't look out of place with the rest of the interior of the truck or the theme of the truck. Halfway to Texas on one of my planned road trips I may wish I had put a tilt in it though.

[54 jimmy]

I used a 67-72 chevy truck column fit in the factory clamp and all only had to trin the floor hole to get the shift are through. if you need better pics I can get some for you.

[yossarian19]

Sounds like any of the 60s / 70s columns will work, just depends where I want my ignition switch.
Are the ignitions removable without leaving scars on the column? I'd rather keep it in the dash but can't find a Van column on ebay...

[54 jimmy]

let me do some digging around I my be able to find you a van column. I think I know where there is one.

[skymangs]

I used a 65 Chevy pickup column. It was a pretty straightforward swap. I made my own drop bracket though.

[OrrieG]

82 eldo column with 48 steering wheel. The eldo columns are about 4" shorter than regular GM auto columns which keeps the part sticking thru the firewall minimal. I used combination of astro van and stock 74 truck for the shaft from the column to box.

[_Ogre]

I used an astro van column w ignition, key, wiper, blinkers and cruise on it. It's similar to s10 column
Length Is good and it was cheap, as in 35 bucks
You will need to dress up the base as it was covered w plastic in the van

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

If you've got the fab skills to "make" your own steering column, my hat's off to you. Had to be cheaper than any other option...I'd think.
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it was fun
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=474288