1990's steering column in a 51

[abig84]

need some advice from people who have put a 80s or 90s column in one of these trucks which is the best way to go about it.

i gutted a 1991 silverado last year, using the engine, transmission steering column etc off it. i did save the bracket from under the dash but obviously isnt a bolt in. did you have to modify the column itself or the bracket?

im just worried about cutting a hole or doing something stupid where it doesnt work, after the column is in i think the rest of the build shouldnt be half bad. so any kinda tips or advice about whats the best way to tackle this project?

[iowaboynca]

I was going to try to go this route, but I think you'll find the column is too long, at least that's what i think w/mine. Didn't feel like modifying it too much.

[mr48chev]

Those later columns are too bulky and too cluttered for earlier trucks. I keep eyeballing the tilt column in my 77 C30 with a 4 speed that is clean and uncluttered and you can still get parts easily. It does have the switch on the column that I don't care for on earlier trucks but a lot of folks like the locking column.

Had a column out of an 84 Cutlass that had a floor shift automatic in the 48 for a long time. Not real cluttered and it did have the dimmer on the column.

[Katrina/10]

I like using pre-83 van columns, they bolt right it.

[mr48chev]

Those are as clean and slick as you can find.

Abig84, I'd highly suggest walking around a few car shows or cruise nights and studying the steering columns guys stick in earlier model cars or trucks. You will discover that some are obviously swapped but look right and like they belong there, some look kinda ok but out of place and some just give you that what the heck were they thinking thought. Same goes with steering wheels, I saw a near perfect little 53 Chevy ragtop yesterday that had everything going for it until you saw the late model GM something or other sport steering wheel that looked like a total afterthought. Hopefully his special order one off custom wheel hasn't come in yet.

[abig84]

the last couple shows i been too i seen similar columns in the trucks but didnt look to closely. but maybe they were s10 columns or a van column as someone else said. i just figured it would be simple enough to just plug and play with the electrical of this column as it came out of the truck with the same drivetrain, even going to install the cruise control.


are s10 columns shorter? i might actually have one buried in the garage i can dig out, would probably be a older model like a 87 s10

[_Ogre]

check out the s10 column in your garage is should be shorter
ogre has an 86 astro van column in 58 truk
similar in everything to the s10

[handyhands]

Using 86 s10 in my 53 chevy

[va4cqd]

im using an 86 s10 column in my '50

[mobileortho]

Ditto on the S10. I'm in the middle of a floor shift to a column shift using a 92.

[b-mac]

I wanted to go the S10 route, but after seeing a few at car shows, I thought they looked out of place.

It's been too long to find it in history now, but I bought a chrome column from ebay, with the GM wiring connector, for around $170 I think. You still need a wheel, but as MR.48 said, they aren't bulky like the late model stuff.

[_Ogre]

before buying a column off ebay read this: https://issuu.com/zone10nzhra/docs/i...eering_columns

[mobileortho]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

before buying a column off ebay read this: https://issuu.com/zone10nzhra/docs/i...eering_columns

Yep! That article and the cost of an Ididit or Flaming River unit is the reason I chose a rebuilt OEM column.

[b-mac]

Damn...
It's been nice knowing you guys.

[robertsjm711]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

before buying a column off ebay read this: https://issuu.com/zone10nzhra/docs/i...eering_columns

This document emphasized the weakness of tilt columns - do you think the non-tilt ones are not a good idea also? Is tilt a necessity in these trucks?

I was also looking for a pre-83, but really didn't like the key in the column. These are all I have found so far used (ebay, craigslist, etc.)

[Desert1957]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

before buying a column off ebay read this: https://issuu.com/zone10nzhra/docs/i...eering_columns

Thank you for this info, I just completed my other 34 project with one of these cheap steering columns. Guess I should go back and replace it.

[abig84]

so i finally went in the attic and dug through my pile-o-steering columns and found the old s10 one. its even got tilt, but looks like the turn signal stalk is kinda screwed up, but should be able to swipe one out of the half stripped columns i have. it does look like its going to be a better choice its slightly shorter and it looks like the ignition switch and every other electrical plug is the same as the 90s full size one. ive always loved how chevy is so interchangeable within its makes and models

s10 on the right





brought down a 80s fullsize column but of course was longer, but the 1991 is slightly longer then the 80s, useless knowledge of the day.

i havent even touched this truck in about 3 weeks, weekends been busy with family stuff or other things. im sure you know how it goes. but my next project is getting this thing mounted in the truck

[abig84]

ill dig out the s10 column this weekend and see how it looks, placing the fullsize column in it does look kinda goofy, im sure i could make it work but going to be a lot of work. pretty sure the s10 column will have the same style ignition switch so should work with the factory wiring harness which im going to use for the time being, just going to have to tie up the thousand extra wires for the time being.

[dsraven]

also try to match the angles if you can. in my opinion the column looks kinda goofy tilted all the way up in order to drive it. if tilted for just getting in and out then that is a different story.

[dsraven]

my opinion only. just ask the wife how much that means.......haha.
your truck and your money, do what you like. that's hotrodding. just make it safe.

[abig84]

Originally Posted by dsraven

my opinion only. just ask the wife how much that means.......haha.
your truck and your money, do what you like. that's hotrodding. just make it safe.

yeah thats my dilemma with this thing, im trying to build it cheap and safe. and the steering is the most dangerous part of all this which is why im trying to do it right.

so far the game plan is to use a modern column then a k5 blazer gear box bolted to the frame.

[_Ogre]

non tilt just has the straight shaft, pretty hard to have a failure there
thou i'd worry about failure of the cheap turn signal switch or column wiring

[_Ogre]

does the s10 column have the prndll on it?
my astro column did not. had to use the stick on prndlll that ididit sells, works fine

the multi-function switch (turn/hilo/cruise) was the same for many years, gotta love gm
if the arm is the only thing messed up it comes out of the multi-function switch
i changed mine to use with rosta cruise control, to remove: push in, rotate clockwise and pull out

[va4cqd]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

does the s10 column have the prndll on it?

no it doesn't. s10s used a string attached to the column that pulled the needle in the gauge cluster

[_Ogre]

i added an ididit shift indicator to the astro column as it had the string
the astro had a 3 speed, ogre has a 4 speed 700r4