55.2-59 column choices?

[Missyblue]

Hey so looking for advice hoping to keep my original steering wheel, switching to automatic, and wouldnt mind key staying in dash but doesnt have to, also not sure if I care about tilt hard to tell till I try I guess so what's my options for column.

new....seems like people recommend ididit and can be very anti otherothwrs for safety any experience?

used......I have heard 73-87 gm column and 70-95 gm van
which of these would be better/easier or any other advice you have as I search for 1

also if I find one any other parts to pull off the vehicle with it that would be helpful

thank you

[nvrdone]

ive got a column out of a jeep Cherokee. its really a gm - I think about 1990. its got the key in the column, wiper switch on the turn signal arm, tilt, and a round cover so it looks good in the truck. don't have it installed yet, that's a future project. I think I paid about $25.00 for it.

[mick53]

Originally Posted by Missyblue

Hey so looking for advice hoping to keep my original steering wheel, switching to automatic, and wouldnt mind key staying in dash but doesnt have to, also not sure if I care about tilt hard to tell till I try I guess so what's my options for column.

new....seems like people recommend ididit and can be very anti otherothwrs for safety any experience?

used......I have heard 73-87 gm column and 70-95 gm van
which of these would be better/easier or any other advice you have as I search for 1

also if I find one any other parts to pull off the vehicle with it that would be helpful

thank you

I have a 53 3100. I kept my stock column and took the turn signal switch and wheel off a 57, they fit together. It bolted right on. They charged me $20 at the junk yard for them. I had to shorten my column 4" because of the dished wheel on the 57. That cost $30. I'm going to put a smaller diameter ring on my stock 57 steering wheel because I have electric power steering and want to keep the old school look but don't need the giant wheel. looks totally stock with self canceling turn signals. You will need to get a new electrical switch for the inside. They are about $30. These came on everything from Corvettes to Bel Air to trucks and are easy to find. All the springs and stuff are available cheep. Do not pay the $200 of so for the repops.

[Missyblue]

thanks for the advice. I have my stock column but it's manual and I need an automatic so that's why I'm asking. I'll definitely start checking the local yards for stuff

[Dachshund]

Not real helpful, but is the "Mike the Headless Chicken" thing still going in Fruita?

[dsraven]

have you seen this thread?
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=330192

[Missyblue]

Originally Posted by Dachshund

Not real helpful, but is the "Mike the Headless Chicken" thing still going in Fruita?

haha
yes they still do the festival

[Missyblue]

Originally Posted by dsraven

have you seen this thread?
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=330192

thanks I'll check it out. I only have a phone and it doesnt seem to let me search this forum very well at times so I missed it so thanks for the link

[mr48chev]

The trouble with some of the clean looking columns is that the donors are getting hard to find like the late 70's early 80's Chevy vans.

You could take the column that fit the best or maybe was the cleanest looking apart and remove the switch, lock cyilder at the top and linkage and the grind down the housing and fill the hole and sand it off. Or remove the cylinder and put a plug in the hole or maybe a push button for a secondary horn.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I found a deal via Craigslist on an unused Flaming River column that had been damaged in shipment. Flaming River provided a replacement “cup” free of charge so I ended up with a pretty nice column for pennies on the dollar. Best of luck on your search.

[roger55]

Ididit automatic tilt-column kit:



I eliminated the ashtray and moved the ignition switch over to the right some so it wouldn't interfere with the gear shift lever.

Mock-up photos:

[Missyblue]

Originally Posted by roger55

Ididit automatic tilt-column kit:



I eliminated the ashtray and moved the ignition switch over to the right some so it wouldn't interfere with the gear shift lever.

Mock-up photos:

wow looks nice! my dash is already painted from the previous owner so.hope I don't have to do that. was it an absolute necessary or just close enough it bothered you?

[roger55]

No, you don't have to move the keyswitch. But it is a little awkward in the stock location.

[whitedog76]

I kind of like the Limeworks columns. Very cool and Retro looking. They can get a little pricey when you add it all up though. You have to buy the shifter kit seperate.

[Missyblue]

Originally Posted by roger55

No, you don't have to move the keyswitch. But it is a little awkward in the stock location.

ok thanks for the info

[_Ogre]

$35 1986 astro van column in my truk. Works great for the last 36000 miles

[Missyblue]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

$35 1986 astro van column in my truk. Works great for the last 36000 miles

thanks that's on my list just trying to see what i can find at the salvage locally. hoping for oem used vs the brand fancy new route haha

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by roger55

Ididit automatic tilt-column kit:

Roger, Maybe I asked this before and have forgotten the answer - Old Timer's Disease!

Where did you get the surface mount AC vents you used? I have seen something similar to yours made for '55-'57 Chevy cars and wondered if the profile fit our dashes or if I'd have to grind them some to make them fit nicely?

EDIT: Oops. Nevermind. I went through your build thread and saw they're from Vintage Air.

[Russell Ashley]

This thread is timely as I just converted to an automatic. Right now my original shift lever is my shifter and is fine except that I don't have a gear indicator. I do have an interlock so it will only start in park. The steering wheel position was never comfortable to me so I want a tilt column for that reason. Roger55's setup is exactly what I want so I might have to go with an Ididit like that, but I want to make a junkyard hunt before I pull out the credit card.