Manual to Automatic Steering Column - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**twoskies** · 01-06-2022, 10:32 PM

Evening All

66 chevy short stepside, had a 3 speed on column, PO changed to floor, not a very good job,lol
im going to be more than likely going with a 700R4,
What steering column should i be looking for and other parts

i have access to a few squarebody trucks, maybe one is automatic that would work ?

thanks for any help and Happy New Year to all

AcampoDave · 01-06-2022, 11:31 PM

It's easy enough to install a later model column and the bracket to clamp it up to the bottom of the dash is simply fabricated. The center link, rag joints, and etc are also usually salvaged from a donor squarebody. The trouble however, comes when trying to retain the factory emergency brake lever. Stock columns had a smaller diameter tube than the later GM columns and if you peek under there you can see that the pass through of the e-brake bracket needs to reworked to be wider so it will fit around the modern column tube. This part of the deal is a PIA and requires a lot of patience. I've done it a few times but that was when good donor colums were easier to find (70's Coupe de Villes were my favorite for the tilt/tele feature) and stock e-brake brackets were readily available. These days I think I would go with ididit or Flaming River and just get a column that is "plug and play" so to speak and use Borgeson for the related centerlink shaft, u-joints, rag joint etc.
Here's a link from the past with more links included http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=291299

**The Rocknrod** · 01-07-2022, 07:56 AM

Take a look at our FAQ section:
Steering Columns

tilt steering for our trucks, aftermarket or later model swap ins? : May 2008 / 15 posts

DPowers 1966 build thread - post 8, shows the install of a tilt steering column from a 1964 Impala into his truck.

Tilt column How to install : January 2005 / 24 posts

Neutral safety on van column : August 2003 / 9 posts

Steering column Q : December 2002 / 2 posts

Everything you wanted to know about van column install : August 2003 / 25+ posts

Steering column question???? : February 2007 / 15+ posts

tilt column : March 2005 / 10+ posts

GM Column help : February 2008 / 9 posts

Tilt column help needed please : January 2014, information about which wires go where, by color and purpose

steering column question : June 2014

1960 steering column, turn signal parts and discussion on repairs, etc..

**Chevy Fleetside** · 01-07-2022, 10:50 AM

I was able to find a column from a mid 70's van. They are different then the square body column's Page post #35 is how I hooked up the lower half of the a square body column to the upper column. I am running a square body steering box though. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=259536&page=2

01-06-2022, 10:32 PM	#1
twoskies Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: kokomo,indiana Posts: 334	Manual to Automatic Steering Column Evening All 66 chevy short stepside, had a 3 speed on column, PO changed to floor, not a very good job,lol im going to be more than likely going with a 700R4, What steering column should i be looking for and other parts i have access to a few squarebody trucks, maybe one is automatic that would work ? thanks for any help and Happy New Year to all __________________ A Little Better Every Day Cancer Survivor, most dont know what they have until its gone, appreciate everything

01-06-2022, 11:31 PM	#2
AcampoDave Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: central California Posts: 2,731	Re: Manual to Automatic Steering Column It's easy enough to install a later model column and the bracket to clamp it up to the bottom of the dash is simply fabricated. The center link, rag joints, and etc are also usually salvaged from a donor squarebody. The trouble however, comes when trying to retain the factory emergency brake lever. Stock columns had a smaller diameter tube than the later GM columns and if you peek under there you can see that the pass through of the e-brake bracket needs to reworked to be wider so it will fit around the modern column tube. This part of the deal is a PIA and requires a lot of patience. I've done it a few times but that was when good donor colums were easier to find (70's Coupe de Villes were my favorite for the tilt/tele feature) and stock e-brake brackets were readily available. These days I think I would go with ididit or Flaming River and just get a column that is "plug and play" so to speak and use Borgeson for the related centerlink shaft, u-joints, rag joint etc. Here's a link from the past with more links included http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=291299 Last edited by AcampoDave; 01-07-2022 at 12:40 AM. Reason: Added link

01-07-2022, 10:50 AM	#4
Chevy Fleetside Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,779	Re: Manual to Automatic Steering Column I was able to find a column from a mid 70's van. They are different then the square body column's Page post #35 is how I hooked up the lower half of the a square body column to the upper column. I am running a square body steering box though. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=259536&page=2 __________________ "A man and his truck, what a beautiful thing" 65 Short Fleetside BBC 65 Long Fleetside 283 3 on the tree for now. my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259536

01-07-2022, 07:56 AM	#3
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Manual to Automatic Steering Column Take a look at our FAQ section: Steering Columns tilt steering for our trucks, aftermarket or later model swap ins? : May 2008 / 15 posts DPowers 1966 build thread - post 8, shows the install of a tilt steering column from a 1964 Impala into his truck. Tilt column How to install : January 2005 / 24 posts Neutral safety on van column : August 2003 / 9 posts Steering column Q : December 2002 / 2 posts Everything you wanted to know about van column install : August 2003 / 25+ posts Steering column question???? : February 2007 / 15+ posts tilt column : March 2005 / 10+ posts GM Column help : February 2008 / 9 posts Tilt column help needed please : January 2014, information about which wires go where, by color and purpose steering column question : June 2014 1960 steering column, turn signal parts and discussion on repairs, etc.. __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?



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