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Old 12-03-2005, 05:01 PM   #1
crawdad
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3 & 4 speed tilt columns

I'm wanting to put a tilt column in my truck and was wondering what the differences were between the 3 speed and 4 speed tilt columns. My truck has the T-350 tranny, so I would need the 3 speed column. I see lots of 4 speed tilts, but not too many 3 speeds. My question is can they be interchanged? Is there anything "simple" that you can do to make the 4 speed column work with the 3 speed ? Appreciate any help.
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Old 12-03-2005, 05:23 PM   #2
Prerunner1982
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Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns

yeah, change the gear indiactor, where it say P R N D OD 2 1.. that should be all you need... should be, being the key phrase...
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Old 12-03-2005, 06:25 PM   #3
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Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns

When you say 3 speed, are you referring to a 3 on the tree? I don't think they ever made tilt columns for a manual 3 speed on the tree, if you are talking about the TH350 then you would need a auto tilt, 'cuz a th350 is an auto tranny, I see lots of those auto tilt columns for the th350 all the time, as low as 50 bucks in a junkyard
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Old 12-03-2005, 07:11 PM   #4
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Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns

3 speed Auto column is the same basic thing as a 4 speed auto. The shift indicator on the dash is what you change and the column has no effect on that. You will have to ensure that you align the tranny neutral start switch on the column to allow fro proper starting and that should be all. I eliminated all of this by putting the shifter on the floor and I enjoy it much better.
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Old 12-03-2005, 07:14 PM   #5
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Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns

Quote:
Originally Posted by crawdad
My truck has the T-350 tranny, so I would need the 3 speed column.
Yea, I meant for that "T" indicated above to stand for Turbo and not Three or Tree.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chevy_fatman
'cuz a th350 is an auto tranny
Dang! and here I've been trying to shift that thing all this time
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Old 12-03-2005, 07:18 PM   #6
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Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns

I guess what I'm needing to know is will the 4 speed column have an extra space in there (for the 4th speed) that would keep me from being able to use it, or make it more undesireable than a 3 speed column. Boy I'm having trouble writing what I'm trying to say tonight.
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Old 12-03-2005, 11:17 PM   #7
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Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns

crawdad, there is NO difference in the column, the transmission has the gear notches in it, not the column... the only thing you need is the indicator on the dash.. that has the P R N D OD 2 1....
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Old 12-04-2005, 12:01 AM   #8
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Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns

Quote:
Originally Posted by Prerunner1982
crawdad, there is NO difference in the column, the transmission has the gear notches in it, not the column... the only thing you need is the indicator on the dash.. that has the P R N D OD 2 1....
Jon is right. The notches are in the tranny not the column. You just have to adjust the linkage rod to the new shifting positions on the column.
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Old 12-04-2005, 01:01 AM   #9
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Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns

Ah! Ok, I understand now. Dang, I knew the shift notches were in the tranny. What the devil was I thinking about . Boys, those "senior moments" are starting to come more frequently . Anyway, thank you all for helping me get it straight.
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Old 12-04-2005, 04:02 AM   #10
1976K5CHALET
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Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns

I think there might be one more glitch to surmount. I'm not 100% on this but somewhere around 83-4 the wiper controls ceased to be a dash mounted option and got incorperated into a multiswitch that included the cruise functions. And assuming that yor TH350 would have been the later in the wiper function.

I kinda lean towards the 73-76ish tilt columns as the lower section of the column that the shift lever attaches to is real steel in one section while the 78-9 used a plastic shroud, and when it breaks it requires special tools to strip the column down that far to replace that one piece. Lets just say slamming the lever into park when pissed off was not a wise idea. So since i got my self into a nasty spot i went to the boneyard and aquired a column from a donor 74 for $50 and then soon discovered that somewhere in 77 or 78 gm changed the steering shaft coupler from a splined unit at the column to a double d design which they still use today. I discovered that i could transfer my internal shaft from the 79 column to the 74 column and away i went. Just thought i'd share that for food for thought.

If the wipers are an issue...just get on ebay and aquire the wiring diagrams for both years and rewire it to your liking.

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Old 12-05-2005, 01:43 PM   #11
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Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns

1983 was when the wiper and the headlight stalk was moved to the turn indicator.
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