Can't afford a Van column. Can you use the key on an 84-92 steering column?

[AustinBelair]

I'd love to keep the key on the dash but I gave up finding a Van or motorhome column in my budget range. My dad and I just can;t afford the prices.

Will a column from a 1982?-1990? work and can I use the key on the column in these?

[jtrichard]

even if you use a non van column you can still use your dash key switch you can do it a few ways keep the key in the column just for wheel lock or defeat the wheel lock and then you wont need the key in the column .....as for the column switch i don't know if you would have the length in the cab for that switch as it is near the fire wall...... there is a pickapart in Austin out here they get $35 for a column

[NEWFISHER]

Or you can shave the column lock of the cup and gut the switch rod etc from it and make it look like an early one. Re pin or splice the connector for turn and horn and leave the dash ignition. You could even have cruise if you get the right one

[AustinBelair]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

Or you can shave the column lock of the cup and gut the switch rod etc from it and make it look like an early one. Re pin or splice the connector for turn and horn and leave the dash ignition. You could even have cruise if you get the right one

Hmm tell me more. How do you close the huge hole where the key cylinder was?

[NEWFISHER]

Grind it off as flush as you can get it. Mix up some JB weld or 2 part epoxy and shape the area. Smooth it out with body filler, prime and paint it. Same goes with the hole for the hazard switch and the automatic arm.

[truckeroy]

I am trying to put a newer column in my 64 also. I want to remove the column key and keep the dash key. Can you tell me how to defeat the column lock? I have removed the ign switch, but the shaft seems to still be locked? Is there something else that has to be removed? Thanks

[bama63]

you will have to remove lock plate (7) in the exploded view, behind that you will see 3 screws to remove the bell, inside the bell you will see the rack gear and pinion pin that the tumbler engages, remove both and reinstall in reverse order,make sure to reinstall the lock shaft plate or there will be looseness in the column, hope this helps.

[truckeroy]

Thanks for the info. If I understand correctly, you have to remove the plastic turn signal cam assembly to get to the 3 large screws that hold the housing in place. Will the housing come off without the turnsignal/tilt in the protruding box being disassembled? I don't want to end up with a mess. Can the rod going down to the ign switch just be pushed un and left alone? Won't this accomplish the same thing? Thanks, Roy

[McCoyAZ]

If you don't need tilt, there are a crap load of 70's columns out there for sale.

[truckeroy]

Here in the midwest that's not true. When they rust away they crush them. It's hard to find 80's stuff around here anymore. Shipping from out west is not worth the cost. I have two columns and I'm just trying to use what I have and find out how to keep the locking function inoperable.

[64shortbox]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TILT-STEERIN...692e60&vxp=mtr


How about this tilt for $ 80.00

Up for sale is an original TILT steering column, column shifted automatic transmission. Complete assembly from the mounting plate to the top, including the nuetral safety switch, the turn signal switch and harness, mounting bracket, horn ring contact and spring, nut and lock washer, as assembled by GM. Was taken from a 67 Catalina. I am pretty sure this will fit an Impala, Caprice, Oldsmobile 88/ 98, Buick Electra, Buick Wildcat, and Buick Rivera and more...



Item is sold as is. Pictures show everything. Item has been sitting on my garage shelf for 30 years.




I only ship to USA.




Bid with confidence - check my ratings.




Please feel free to ask questions.

[truckeroy]

My point exactly. $80 for the column and $80 to ship. It's a column shift and I would have to rework it for floor shift. Not worth $160 to me when I have 2 tilt columns in my garage already even if they do have ign in the column. If I find one locally like that in the future I can always switch it out. I still just want to know the easy way to keep the steering wheel from being locked after removing the ign switch. Is it OK to just push the ign rod up and forget it? bama63 told me the way to remove the parts, but it looks like many small parts for the trun signal and tilt need to be removed to get that housing off and I don't want to end up with a pile of parts left over. HA.

[pdxhall]

There is a pdf of the GM steering column rebuild at this wiki. in the column on the left of the page under 'catagories' click on steering. Great pics and write up on rebuilding these columns.

http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...Coalition_Wiki

[truckeroy]

Thanks, that looks like it is very detailed.