Converting a 3 on the column to auto - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

skokie · 10-19-2003, 06:08 PM

I have been looking for a steering column for my 68 chevy. I want to convert it from auto on the floor to on the column however since I am new at this this I need to know what I will need. I am shopping around for the column steering wheel down. Is there anything else I will need?

Thanks in advance
Brad

Tx Firefighter · 10-19-2003, 06:48 PM

You need the shift linkage pieces that go from the column to the tranny. The factory stuff is several pieces that bolt to the frame, tranny, and between the two.

I always use these though. They cost 40 dollars and work scads better than the factory stuff. Looks trick too.

GET IT HERE

72shadetree · 10-19-2003, 06:51 PM

dont forget the auto x member and trans lines/cooler you will have to remove the 3spd crossmember

Tx Firefighter · 10-19-2003, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 72shadetree
dont forget the auto x member and trans lines/cooler you will have to remove the 3spd crossmember

I had a big thing typed up with all that he needed, including, mount, flexplate, and cooler, lines, etc, till I noticed in his thread that he wanted to convert his floor shift auto to a column shift auto. I'm confused now.

skyhawk1 · 10-19-2003, 06:56 PM

Or, you can do the "Red Neck" Way. Just use one of the 3-speed shifter levers. I did it that way (don't remember wich one I used) and it worked just fine. Just be careful when you start it because it will start in any position.

skokie · 10-19-2003, 06:59 PM

Tx Firefighter
I am confused as well

Originally the truck was a 3 on the column, Previous owner put in a new 400 turbo tranny and disabled the 3 on the column. What I am looking to do is make it an auto on the column and patch the hole in the floor that was cut for the floor shifter.
Ok now I am confused to

Thanks
Brad

Tx Firefighter · 10-19-2003, 07:02 PM

That's real simple then. Bolt in the column and hook up a linkage to it. Either stock or aftermarket linkage.

By the way, if you post on the parts board looking for an auto column, you'll find plenty offers to sell you one, as long as you don't want a tilt that is.

Seriously, that linkage kit above is the bomb. It's all new and UPS man delivers it in a few days. Way easier than rounding up a stock setup usually.

Kevin

skokie · 10-19-2003, 07:23 PM

Thanks Tx Firefighter. I have my eye on a column on ebay and I asked a bud of mine who was heading to a salvage yard to have a look as well. Other than the linkage and the column mounting itself is there anything else I will need? Very new to this stuff and I am learning as I go.

Thanks

Tx Firefighter · 10-19-2003, 07:25 PM

Column and linkage will do it.

Be careful of ebay steering column. There are plenty of guys here who will sell you a column cheaper than what they go for on ebay, and you support a board member too.

I bought mine from a fellow member here (Ratrod) for 25.00.

skokie · 10-19-2003, 07:26 PM

Gotcha. Will watch them. Btw is there a difference if i decide to go with a tilt wheel?

Tx Firefighter · 10-19-2003, 07:29 PM

Tilt and no tilt will interchange.

Do a search on here for "van column" and you'll find a way to get tilt for cheap. Requires a couple of real simple changes. Last one I put in took about 2 hrs total including doing the minor mods required.

skokie · 10-19-2003, 07:30 PM

Will do and thanks again. Am sure to have more questions later

Brad

bigvinnie · 10-19-2003, 07:31 PM

not much difference other than price and "cool" factor...

Bryan68custom · 10-19-2003, 09:12 PM

Tx Firefighter can that linkage be made to work on a power glide , my linkage is getting sloppy

Tx Firefighter · 10-19-2003, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bryan68custom
Tx Firefighter can that linkage be made to work on a power glide , my linkage is getting sloppy

I don't know. Try calling Kugel Komponents. They're usually very helpful on the phone.

Bryan68custom · 10-19-2003, 09:19 PM

Thanks I'll try them tomorrow from work.

skokie · 10-20-2003, 04:28 PM

Well I called the guys at Kugel and placed a order. Now to get a column. I found a salvage yard that has these trucks. Thats all they do so I guess its time to hit the boneyard

Thanks for all of the help.

10-19-2003, 06:08 PM	#1
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,354	Converting a 3 on the column to auto I have been looking for a steering column for my 68 chevy. I want to convert it from auto on the floor to on the column however since I am new at this this I need to know what I will need. I am shopping around for the column steering wheel down. Is there anything else I will need? Thanks in advance Brad

10-19-2003, 06:48 PM	#2
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	You need the shift linkage pieces that go from the column to the tranny. The factory stuff is several pieces that bolt to the frame, tranny, and between the two. I always use these though. They cost 40 dollars and work scads better than the factory stuff. Looks trick too. GET IT HERE __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-19-2003, 06:51 PM	#3
72shadetree KEEP ON TRUCKING Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: martinsville va Posts: 2,563	dont forget the auto x member and trans lines/cooler you will have to remove the 3spd crossmember __________________ 72 cheyenne 2wd lwb 71 k20 sons bassett va

10-19-2003, 06:56 PM	#5
skyhawk1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Oceana WV USA Posts: 184	Or, you can do the "Red Neck" Way. Just use one of the 3-speed shifter levers. I did it that way (don't remember wich one I used) and it worked just fine. Just be careful when you start it because it will start in any position. __________________ "The World's a Mess"! 71 C-10 72 Suburban 2WD Oceana, West Virginia

10-19-2003, 06:59 PM	#6
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,354	Tx Firefighter I am confused as well Originally the truck was a 3 on the column, Previous owner put in a new 400 turbo tranny and disabled the 3 on the column. What I am looking to do is make it an auto on the column and patch the hole in the floor that was cut for the floor shifter. Ok now I am confused to Thanks Brad Last edited by skokie; 10-19-2003 at 07:03 PM.

10-19-2003, 07:02 PM	#7
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	That's real simple then. Bolt in the column and hook up a linkage to it. Either stock or aftermarket linkage. By the way, if you post on the parts board looking for an auto column, you'll find plenty offers to sell you one, as long as you don't want a tilt that is. Seriously, that linkage kit above is the bomb. It's all new and UPS man delivers it in a few days. Way easier than rounding up a stock setup usually. Kevin __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-19-2003, 07:23 PM	#8
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,354	Thanks Tx Firefighter. I have my eye on a column on ebay and I asked a bud of mine who was heading to a salvage yard to have a look as well. Other than the linkage and the column mounting itself is there anything else I will need? Very new to this stuff and I am learning as I go. Thanks

10-19-2003, 07:25 PM	#9
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Column and linkage will do it. Be careful of ebay steering column. There are plenty of guys here who will sell you a column cheaper than what they go for on ebay, and you support a board member too. I bought mine from a fellow member here (Ratrod) for 25.00. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-19-2003, 07:26 PM	#10
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,354	Gotcha. Will watch them. Btw is there a difference if i decide to go with a tilt wheel?

10-19-2003, 07:29 PM	#11
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Tilt and no tilt will interchange. Do a search on here for "van column" and you'll find a way to get tilt for cheap. Requires a couple of real simple changes. Last one I put in took about 2 hrs total including doing the minor mods required. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-19-2003, 07:30 PM	#12
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,354	Will do and thanks again. Am sure to have more questions later Brad

10-19-2003, 07:31 PM	#13
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	not much difference other than price and "cool" factor... __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project

10-19-2003, 09:12 PM	#14
Bryan68custom Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Denison, Tx. Posts: 189	Tx Firefighter can that linkage be made to work on a power glide , my linkage is getting sloppy __________________ 2004 Extended cab LS silverado 2001 Buick Lesabre 1968 Chevy Custom 10 LWB Anniversery model 2008 crew cab lt (rolling on dubs) "The nice part about living in a small town is when you don't know what you're doing, someone else always does"

10-19-2003, 09:19 PM	#16
Bryan68custom Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Denison, Tx. Posts: 189	Thanks I'll try them tomorrow from work. __________________ 2004 Extended cab LS silverado 2001 Buick Lesabre 1968 Chevy Custom 10 LWB Anniversery model 2008 crew cab lt (rolling on dubs) "The nice part about living in a small town is when you don't know what you're doing, someone else always does"

10-20-2003, 04:28 PM	#17
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,354	Well I called the guys at Kugel and placed a order. Now to get a column. I found a salvage yard that has these trucks. Thats all they do so I guess its time to hit the boneyard Thanks for all of the help.



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