What (used) steering column did you use on your 47-53 ?

[FamilyBowTie]

Looking for options on steering colums.

I've seen the ones on ebay but would like to know if there are ones I can look for at the local pull a part.

Please post pics if you have them also.

Thanks

[nvrdone]

Try a first gen jeep cherokee

[Big Daddy Bear]

Tagging along to see what comes up...

[donandal]

1992 GMC 2500 van...with tilt.

length was good,just added flange at bottom
to bolt to firewall.

rebuild parts for signals, switches etc. readily available

[Ricos54]

Summit racing stainless steel/tilt steering column made for our truck $359

[oldman3]

Hey Rico, I used a 78 Chevy Caprice tilt column, cut off the column shift stub and filled. Here's a couple pics....Jim

[lv2tri2]

This column came out of late 60s Caddy. Telescopic, tilt, turn and emerg. signals. No ignition or column lock.[ATTACH]


[/ATTACH]

[va4cqd]

80s s10

[FarmerSid]

Bringing this back up for some more ideas

[Zach B]

73-87 columns get used a lot I think. They may require a little modification to fit though

[HUSSEY]

I think most modern columns don't look very good unless a shroud of some sort is build around them like Oldman3 did. I initially tried a column out of a 67-72 Chevy truck but thought it was to long. I thought about shortening it but in the end I ended up getting a plain steel Ididit column from Jegs shipping included for $349 and I'm very happy with its quality.

Guess that's not what you were asking but that was my experience.

[Hampshire]

in the end I ended up getting a plain steel Ididit column from Jegs shipping included for $349 and I'm very happy with its quality.

Ditto - looks & works great

[Katrina/10]

Chevrolet van column up to 81 fits in the original dash brackets.

[47 Fasttoys]

Stock, yes it's used, cut down, new bearings top and bottom, cheap turn signal switch. Not real fancy but real effective.
Rob

[jhnpldng]

I used a stock column in my 64 and had it hooked up to a cable shift 4l60e. It was an automatic column which are pretty rare for a 60s truck. But it was skinny so it didn't look out of place and prob wouldn't look out of place in a 47-54. I never did get around to making a new gear indicator for the OD 4l60e but it wouldn't have been too hard. Just clear plexiglas with white letters. I've still got the column if anyone wants a pic of the column shift bracket. I mounted the bracket to the column using existing bolts. I used the existing ign switch but since there wasn't enough circuits, I had to add a relay. Never had a nice wiper switch figured out. Turn signals were the same. Yellow, green etc.
One downfall to a 60s column is that it's not collapsible.

[chopit]

The PO of my project modified the original and planned to use the 3 sp column shift for the automatic for nostalgic look. Haven't decided if I am going to continue in that direction.

[jhnpldng]

Originally Posted by chopit

The PO of my project modified the original and planned to use the 3 sp column shift for the automatic for nostalgic look. Haven't decided if I am going to continue in that direction.

Hey, there's an idea in there somewhere. A kit to modify the old three on the tree columns into auto columns.

[chopit]

Originally Posted by jhnpldng

Hey, there's an idea in there somewhere. A kit to modify the old three on the tree columns into auto columns.

The only disadvantage I see so far is you don't have a visual indicator for what gear you are in. I've been driving long enough it wouldn't matter to me lol. Might trip some people out.

[am0254338]

I'm using a 67-72 column in mine. No ignition tumbler in them. They are almost identical in length to the original. Turn signal and same gear indicater as a lot of these after market columns available. They even fit although snuggly in the original column bracket on the dash. Mine is not tilt though.

[_Ogre]

while the new aftermarket columns are nice, any oem column will give years of service
stay away from the offshore columns with tilt as they have bad reputations for failure

truk has an astro van column in it, same as s10 column, cost me $35
junkyards are full of columns for cheap, the only issue is you need to make a cover

oldman3 made a pretty sweet cover on his posted above



this is the cover i made for the astro column

[Cautrell05]

About 20 years ago I built this one for a customer. Used a mid 80s chevy van column. tilt, wipers, ignition, column shift with a gear indicator. Using the same thing on my 47 build.
Nick

[_Ogre]

^^^ same looking column in my truk, 86 chevy astro/gmc safari van
doesn't look bad without the cover
it all depends on the level of finish you do to your truck

[Khaus]

Originally Posted by am0254338

I'm using a 67-72 column in mine. No ignition tumbler in them. They are almost identical in length to the original. Turn signal and same gear indicater as a lot of these after market columns available. They even fit although snuggly in the original column bracket on the dash. Mine is not tilt though.

Posted via Mobile Device

[Khaus]

Do you have any pictures? I've heard these columns are longer. Want to see how you mounted it and how it fits.

Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

[Matt_50]

I have a 80s c10 column collecting dust but after seeing one up close in a 52, it just doesn't look right. Definitely works but if you want a stock look try something like out of a late 60s truck. I got my hands on a 55 bel air column with auto shift. Mocked it up. Looks awesome. No tilt though, and I gotta fab a bottom bearing. The new kits look great.. But i don't know about you but my budget is too tight lol.