72 column in a 65

[Sizemore 65]

What is the best way to mount the 72 column to the mount from the 65? Looks like wires are in the way on the 72 column and is holding the mast off from laying right in the mount that bolts under the dash. Anyone use spacers or something else before welding the column to the mount?

Thanks
Aaron

[65chevysub]

I have a 72 tilt column in my 65 Suburban that a friend put in for me in 1999. Looks like the only thing that doesn't look factory are all the butt connectors for the wiring. I even have my original deluxe steering wheel on it. I can't post pics as I'm on the work computer.

[Clyde65]

I have a 72 colum in my 65 as well. I included a couple pix but not sure if you can see. I basically used a piece of rubber between the emergency brake bracket pieces. Also the mount under the dask i didnt use but could have. The wiring i just moved around on the plug to match the colum plug. Good luck!!!

[64shortbox]

First of all I want to say I'm the Cheapest, Laziest S.O.B you will ever meet in your life. This is what I did. I did what GM did for mounting the truck columns in 1967. They used a centering pin to keep the column centered and used a simple U 2 bolt U strap to hold the column to the dash. If I remember correctly I got a 3/8" x 1" bolt & a 3/8" jamb nut, drilled a 3/8" hole in the bottom of the dash and another one in the center of my column. I kept the 64 factory rubber piece in place and got a piece of I think 1/2" thick rubber (scrap from work) punched a 5/8" hole in the middle to clear the jamb nut and used the factory unmodified E brake column mount bracket to wedge the column in place.

For the wiring I clipped the female connector off a 70's donor car & bought the correct male terminal ends to match from eBay BUT if I remember correctly either Flaming River or Ron Francis did sell a short adapter that would adapt your 65 wiring plug to a 72 column if you don't want to take the time or have the time to wait. At 62 years old it's NOT fun to be on my back working under a dash.

If your truck is an automatic you MUST move the Neutral Safety Switch further down the column (towards the firewall) there is noway around this But believe it or not that was pretty easy.

As an added bonus I also added 4 way emergency flashers since the column already had the switch & the wiring.

If you need a better explanation and/or better pictures just let me know.

[64shortbox]

Here's the column wiring adapter I was thinking of. It's from Classic Industries, $31.99 and includes the fused 4 way flasher too.

http://www.classicindustries.com/pro...s/mp37618.html

[racecougar]

I used the stock '65 mount along with a hose clamp, as quite a few other members have done.