Steering Column

[FAKKY]

Hey guys

So - looking to make decision on steering column. But as with everything so far struggling making up my mind. Here's my options.

******
Cheapest
******

OPTION (A)
Keep original steering wheel and column. Has the aftermarket bolton turn signals.


Cant think of any extra costs - already have the lower bearing. Just need to cut the lower tube, seat in and weld back up. Wont have tilt, no self cancelling turn.

Would have to purchase a shifter like

http://www.americanshifter.com/catal...ith-black-knob

so TOTAL $230


OPTION (B)

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Standa...ift,67294.html

Tilt, turn signal cancel. And shifter in built (column). Would just need the linkage or cable.
eg

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Ididit...xoC9MQQAvD_BwE

So TOTAL $380 (but unsure if current steering wheel will work) Might need an adapter or buy new steering wheel.


******
MIDLEVEL
******

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Standa...ome,66575.html

together with linkage

http://www.americanshifter.com/catal...ith-black-knob

So TOTAL ~$500 (but unsure if current steering wheel will work) Might need an adapter or buy new steering wheel).

********
TOP LEVEL
********
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Ididit...BoCdpsQAvD_BwE

together with linkage

http://www.americanshifter.com/catal...ith-black-knob

So looking at

TOTAL ~ $730 (but unsure if current steering wheel will work) Might need an adapter or buy new steering wheel).



Those are the main options. A couple of things.

1) I looked into the chinese columns - I wouldn't buy anything but the speedway ones. They have had 3 returns out off hundreds sold, ididit 1 return out of 30. The guys who I spoke with at their shop said the quality is good and they run them.

2) Column or Floor. I don't really mind. I like the column for being different but worry about clearance with headers as well as making that linkage work.

Floor I like that its direct linkage and no clearance issues. I have heard a few guys don't like the interference by feet ...... but sitting in the truck cant see how that would be.

3) GM column out of yard. I suppose this is still an option - but really havent found a yard column I like that I know is goign to work from threads. Already spent a few hours pulling stuff and paying for it to determine wont work how I want it so been a bit hit and miss.


So over to you guys ----- missing anything ...... whos gone with what option and do they think its worth it ?

thx


My current steering measures near 34-35" but that puts down close by frame. I think I only need a 30" here's the pics with tape measure


about 4" out the firewall




30" gives more than enough clearance for a floor shift column (7" of lower and upper column)

Be tighter on a column shift (10" total upper) but think it will work with just coming through firewall around 2".

[FAKKY]

FYI I know the IMGUR pics show up real large.
Hit the CTRL button and - button to shring screen.
Then ctrl-+ to go back to original size.

[mr48chev]

Dang that is the highest resolution photo ever posted on here. Can't see a thing.

Three viable choices when buying a steering column for your truck project. Ididit, Flaming River or good used oem. Do not waste your money or time buying one of the "cheapest" ones off ebay or off the vendors who sell cheap parts. Main reason is that six months after you start driving the rig you will be wasting our time asking how to fix your cheap steering column as it is loose and not working right.

[mr48chev]

As far as the length you need you need to have the steering wheel you intend to run or one with he same depth of dish if it has one and same diameter of rim and the seat you intend to run in place so you can hold the steering wheel in place to tell exactly how far you need it from the dash to be comfortable driving the truck. from that spot you need to figure out how far it needs to stick though the firewall.

On the list of things that cause a project rig not to get driven much after they are finished I'd say an uncomfortable driving position including seat and steering wheel and/or gas pedal setup are the three that kill the fun. If they aren't comfortable to drive they just don't get driven much.

[FAKKY]

Thats a good point - and initially I thought about just putting the stock back in and deciding how it all drives. Then I can always deal with replacing after as not to much to take out.

But wife thinks good idea to just get going on it - since I keep slipping further and further behind due to excuses on not making up mind

She wants to keep the steering wheel (large) if we can ...... but its not a deal braker and you can find steering wheels even new for appropriate price. Just not sure how impportant tilt and signal cancelling is. I never or rarely use tilt in normal cars - but these are not normal cars

The truck original had a manual 5 speed when I had it. So having a floor shift automatic doesnt seem like it would be an interference. But some guys have said yes.
etc.

[Donaldo]

I would suggest getting the Ididit column, safety and lives are worth the upgrade, no plastic parts top break going down the road...

I couldn't find an adapter to an original wheel and horn set up, so I made one, a steering column end was sacrificed and the stock upper shaft bearing and horn contact were modified, I made a dash/column mount to fit and it all seems to work.

[Donaldo]

Column mount and wheel attached.

[FAKKY]

Question

Are Ford/Mopar/GM ididit/flamingriver/oem columns interchangeable - only main difference being the wiring schematics/colors - but would crossover fine ?

How about truck/versus car columns. I would assume most of the stress is on the shaft and most are built with 1" DD. Plus I wont have manual steering will be hydroboost.

thanks

[svr]

I used an early 80's tilt floor shift pickup column. I wanted the key on the dash so i took it apart and removed the lock, filled the hole and shaved it smooth. Its a bit long under the floor but works good with my R&P. It has a 1" 48 spline shaft makeing it easy to line up the steering wheel.

[Russell Ashley]

If you would rather keep your factory wheel and column you can buy a factory style turn signal setup that fits into the column and does self cancel. You wouldn't have tilt though. I helped make the steering wheel position in my 57 a little better by shrinking it to fifteen inches but it's still too high to be comfortable to me, and not like having tilt. This is just my opinion, but I think I'd rather have an OEM column from a junk yard than any of the after-market ones.

[_Ogre]

may ogre offer option C:?

most any gm column will fit, junkyards are full of them, compatible with all aftermarket harness, keyed column, tilt, self cancel, hazard, hi/lo beam switch, steering wheel and horn included
ogre's is 86 chevy astro van, but s10 is similar

$35

[FAKKY]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

If you would rather keep your factory wheel and column you can buy a factory style turn signal setup that fits into the column and does self cancel.

Got a link for a self cancel aftermarket ?

[FAKKY]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

may ogre offer option C:?

most any gm column will fit, junkyards are full of them, compatible with all aftermarket harness, keyed column, tilt, self cancel, hazard, hi/lo beam switch, steering wheel and horn included
ogre's is 86 chevy astro van, but s10 is similar

$35

These as simple to pull as the 57 truck - just the drop column ?
Any idea of options of donor trucks other than that ?

One thing thats put me off yards is spending 1 hour walking around not knowing what Im looking for - or not the right year (so someone says a 86 astro ... does a 87 work ?... they dont have an 86) , then spending 1 hour pulling something that "may work" ... then paying $40.

So 2 hours and $40 to find out it doesnt work ..... and start over.



Although I did get a great deal on some other items. Rear end

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by FAKKY

Got a link for a self cancel aftermarket ?

Here's a link to one of the places that have them. Pretty much all of the places that have parts for these trucks have them. Not cheap though. I think the junk yard column is the better way to go and is the way I'd do it if I were at that point with my truck.
http://www.bowtiebits.com/store/stor...Category_ID=53

[FAKKY]

Spent a few hours last night looking at online inventories as well as called a few shops that were open this morning.

Cheapest was $75 but is not local - its 1.5 hours away so 3 hour round trip.
Anotherone near that one for $100.

then these 2

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-1991-CH...JWcerg&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-Chevrol...NYTEtG&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STEERING-COL...610602&vxp=mtr

Most of the yards only had mid nineties as earliest in yard.

[Black_Sheep]

Before you buy an aftermarket column take a look at this because not all columns are created equal. There are some units that lack a "fail safe" tilt knuckle and are made of inferior materials. Know what you are getting...

https://issuu.com/zone10nzhra/docs/i...eering_columns

[Black_Sheep]

Early '70's Cadillac (no key) tilt column. With the Nova front sub, the only thing needed to connect everything was a spline to DD adapter.

[mr48chev]

Flaky read what what we are telling you real close and understand that we are giving it a serious try to save you a lot of grief when we tell you DO NOT BUY one of those cheap Ebay or online steering columns. They do not hold up and that is a documented fact from all the complaints we have seen on them across the car and truck forums and on almost an FB car group. This is one spot on your truck that you absolutely cannot go cheap.

[OrrieG]

I used an 82 ELdorado column, tilt and telescope. key in column with lock in wheel, turn signals, headlight dimmer and cruise control for future, and column shift. All were features I wanted. Eldo column is same length as standard GM from firewall to steering wheel, but much shorter on firewall side, only projects a couple of inches. Like Donaldo I adapted a 48 big steering wheel, splines are the same but you need to figure out the horn mechanism. I used 74 truck and Astro van u-joints to match to the 74 steering box.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

most any gm column will fit, junkyards are full of them,

s10 is the same basic column as the astro. craigslist is full of parts for both

Originally Posted by FAKKY

One thing thats put me off yards is spending 1 hour walking around not knowing what Im looking for - or not the right year

take a tape measure. most any gm column will fit, all you need is the right length give or take a few inches
nothing will be bolt-in, it will take some work to make it fit

anyone selling a $500 column on eay is looking for a sucker

[Kansas T]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Flaky read what what we are telling you real close and understand that we are giving it a serious try to save you a lot of grief when we tell you DO NOT BUY one of those cheap Ebay or online steering columns. They do not hold up and that is a documented fact from all the complaints we have seen on them across the car and truck forums and on almost an FB car group. This is one spot on your truck that you absolutely cannot go cheap.

It would be nice to see a list of stores selling them, I know Summit is one of them.

[_Ogre]

this is the lower end of my column
not sure of the measurement but it worked fine with mustII ifs