Which model steering column do I have? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shiner2001 · 10-07-2010, 03:06 AM

Pardon my ignorance on the subject, but I'm new to these trucks. Gimme a Jeep and I'll tell ya anything you wanna know, but I'm getting there! Anyway, I just picked this truck up not too long ago, but I don't have a neutral safety switch on this column, also meaning I have no reverse lights. I know this column is out of a later model truck (mines a 72), but by sight, I don't know them well enough to know which truck it's out of and which switch to buy. Can someone let me know what column this is and/or which switch I need? Thanks in advance! (and if there is anything else I can do to ID it, feel free to pass that along as well, or let me know if you need a picture from a different angle or anything, this is just the one I happen to have on my computer right now).

jasons · 10-07-2010, 08:39 AM

The truck columns from 73 up have the key in the column instead of the dash. If it is a tilt column, it may have come out of a van. A picture of the end of the column under the hood will confirm this, the van columns are longer than the truck columns. To use a van column in a truck the neutral safety switch has to be moved on the column or as in your case removed. There are threads here on relocating the neutral safety switch on a van column.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=63328

shiner2001 · 10-07-2010, 04:03 PM

Good info about the van swaps, I'll check all that out. Here are a couple more pics of the column. Since there's no key on it, I'm assuming that's what this has to be.

jasons · 10-07-2010, 04:27 PM

Yes, that is a van tilt column.

shiner2001 · 10-07-2010, 04:33 PM

What exactly is the purpose of having to move the neutral safety switch? I can feel under the dash on the column where the switch should go, and it seems like there is plenty of room for it there. Just wondering about the "why" behind having to move it.

jasons · 10-07-2010, 04:38 PM

That one I can't answer. I have a van tilt to put in my Blazer, but haven't done it yet. Everything I have seen here says it needs to be moved. Perhaps yours was prepped for the relocated switch and it was never installed?

shiner2001 · 10-07-2010, 04:48 PM

I think I spoke too soon about having the room as it stands right now. After learning that the stock one wouldn't fit, I looked again and the current hole for the switch is right next to the brake linkage. It's really even closer than it shows in this picture (taken from the firewall, looking "up" the column), but I can see how moving the switch down the column and closer to the firewall would solve the problem. As far as the switch, which one am I looking for (ie, what year(s) and model van column are we looking at here)?

jasons · 10-07-2010, 04:59 PM

That column was used all through the 70's up to 84.

shiner2001 · 10-07-2010, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasons

That column was used all through the 70's up to 84.

It is NOT the same switch that would have been used on the original 72 truck column though, correct? When dealing with the parts counter guys, I'll need to ask for one for a van, right?

jasons · 10-07-2010, 05:09 PM

I'm not sure if the switch for a truck column would work or not. It would probably be safer to get one for the van. Just note that one of the wiring plugs is different. I think that was mentioned in the link I posted earlier. You could always cut the end off your harness and add spade connectors to make it work without the plug from a van.

shiner2001 · 10-07-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasons

I'm not sure if the switch for a truck column would work or not. It would probably be safer to get one for the van. Just note that one of the wiring plugs is different. I think that was mentioned in the link I posted earlier. You could always cut the end off your harness and add spade connectors to make it work without the plug from a van.

Hmm, nothing about the wiring differences in that post, just about the physical mounting. I suppose with a manual and a meter I should be able to get everything sorted out. I am more concerned about the reverse lights wiring than the neutral safety, but if I can get it all working, that'd be good too.

jasons · 10-07-2010, 05:39 PM

Check out this post starting with #8.http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=147927

shiner2001 · 10-07-2010, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasons

Check out this post starting with #8.http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=147927

Priceless! Many thanks...

jasons · 10-07-2010, 07:27 PM

No problem. Anything you could want to know about these trucks can be found here.

shiner2001 · 10-07-2010, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasons

No problem. Anything you could want to know about these trucks can be found here.

Man that's the truth. My previous projects (and thus forum) of choice were Full Size Jeeps (Wagoneers, Grand Wagoneers, Cherokees...the old heavy ones with the 360's and 401's), and compared to them, it's amazing to me how much aftermarket support there is for these trucks. And the same goes for info in general. Especially since I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel with my truck, just sticking to the basics...if I wanna do it, someone has done it before me, and has pictures to show me how!

Longhorn Man · 10-07-2010, 10:31 PM

that tilt was run from 72 to 81, and a small number of 82 vans. Yours looks to be a later one, starting in 77 or so. It has the later perndl lens, and shorter shifter.

shiner2001 · 10-07-2010, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

that tilt was run from 72 to 81, and a small number of 82 vans. Yours looks to be a later one, starting in 77 or so. It has the later perndl lens, and shorter shifter.

So I should be safe asking for a switch from an 81 I suppose. I checked for 80 (picked a year out of a hat) earlier and it looks to be in stock locally, so maybe I'll grab that and yank the column tomorrow.

Many thanks for the info here guys, I appreciate it!

Longhorn Man · 10-08-2010, 06:11 PM

You can make the plug with crimp on terminals, or find a van in a junk yard and snip them out.

10-07-2010, 03:06 AM	#1
shiner2001 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 222	Which model steering column do I have? Pardon my ignorance on the subject, but I'm new to these trucks. Gimme a Jeep and I'll tell ya anything you wanna know, but I'm getting there! Anyway, I just picked this truck up not too long ago, but I don't have a neutral safety switch on this column, also meaning I have no reverse lights. I know this column is out of a later model truck (mines a 72), but by sight, I don't know them well enough to know which truck it's out of and which switch to buy. Can someone let me know what column this is and/or which switch I need? Thanks in advance! (and if there is anything else I can do to ID it, feel free to pass that along as well, or let me know if you need a picture from a different angle or anything, this is just the one I happen to have on my computer right now). __________________ Derek 72 Chevy Cheyenne Super LWB 454 SS LS6 90 GMC Suburban V2500 350 ----------- 64 Chevy El Camino 357 73 Jeep Wagoneer 360 78 Jeep Cherokee 360 79 Scout II 345 88 Jeep Wrangler 4.2L 91 Jeep Wrangler 4.3L 98 Lincoln Mark VIII 4.6L 01 GMC Yukon 5.3L *"If it's not broken, fix it 'till it is!"*

10-07-2010, 08:39 AM	#2
jasons not enough hours in the day Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Axtell, NE Posts: 550	Re: Which model steering column do I have? The truck columns from 73 up have the key in the column instead of the dash. If it is a tilt column, it may have come out of a van. A picture of the end of the column under the hood will confirm this, the van columns are longer than the truck columns. To use a van column in a truck the neutral safety switch has to be moved on the column or as in your case removed. There are threads here on relocating the neutral safety switch on a van column. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=63328

10-07-2010, 04:03 PM	#3
shiner2001 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 222	Re: Which model steering column do I have? Good info about the van swaps, I'll check all that out. Here are a couple more pics of the column. Since there's no key on it, I'm assuming that's what this has to be. __________________ Derek 72 Chevy Cheyenne Super LWB 454 SS LS6 90 GMC Suburban V2500 350 ----------- 64 Chevy El Camino 357 73 Jeep Wagoneer 360 78 Jeep Cherokee 360 79 Scout II 345 88 Jeep Wrangler 4.2L 91 Jeep Wrangler 4.3L 98 Lincoln Mark VIII 4.6L 01 GMC Yukon 5.3L *"If it's not broken, fix it 'till it is!"*

10-07-2010, 04:27 PM	#4
jasons not enough hours in the day Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Axtell, NE Posts: 550	Re: Which model steering column do I have? Yes, that is a van tilt column.

10-07-2010, 04:33 PM	#5
shiner2001 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 222	Re: Which model steering column do I have? What exactly is the purpose of having to move the neutral safety switch? I can feel under the dash on the column where the switch should go, and it seems like there is plenty of room for it there. Just wondering about the "why" behind having to move it. __________________ Derek 72 Chevy Cheyenne Super LWB 454 SS LS6 90 GMC Suburban V2500 350 ----------- 64 Chevy El Camino 357 73 Jeep Wagoneer 360 78 Jeep Cherokee 360 79 Scout II 345 88 Jeep Wrangler 4.2L 91 Jeep Wrangler 4.3L 98 Lincoln Mark VIII 4.6L 01 GMC Yukon 5.3L *"If it's not broken, fix it 'till it is!"*

10-07-2010, 04:38 PM	#6
jasons not enough hours in the day Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Axtell, NE Posts: 550	Re: Which model steering column do I have? That one I can't answer. I have a van tilt to put in my Blazer, but haven't done it yet. Everything I have seen here says it needs to be moved. Perhaps yours was prepped for the relocated switch and it was never installed?

10-07-2010, 04:48 PM	#7
shiner2001 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 222	Re: Which model steering column do I have? I think I spoke too soon about having the room as it stands right now. After learning that the stock one wouldn't fit, I looked again and the current hole for the switch is right next to the brake linkage. It's really even closer than it shows in this picture (taken from the firewall, looking "up" the column), but I can see how moving the switch down the column and closer to the firewall would solve the problem. As far as the switch, which one am I looking for (ie, what year(s) and model van column are we looking at here)? __________________ Derek 72 Chevy Cheyenne Super LWB 454 SS LS6 90 GMC Suburban V2500 350 ----------- 64 Chevy El Camino 357 73 Jeep Wagoneer 360 78 Jeep Cherokee 360 79 Scout II 345 88 Jeep Wrangler 4.2L 91 Jeep Wrangler 4.3L 98 Lincoln Mark VIII 4.6L 01 GMC Yukon 5.3L *"If it's not broken, fix it 'till it is!"*

10-07-2010, 04:59 PM	#8
jasons not enough hours in the day Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Axtell, NE Posts: 550	Re: Which model steering column do I have? That column was used all through the 70's up to 84.

10-07-2010, 05:09 PM	#10
jasons not enough hours in the day Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Axtell, NE Posts: 550	Re: Which model steering column do I have? I'm not sure if the switch for a truck column would work or not. It would probably be safer to get one for the van. Just note that one of the wiring plugs is different. I think that was mentioned in the link I posted earlier. You could always cut the end off your harness and add spade connectors to make it work without the plug from a van.

10-07-2010, 05:39 PM	#12
jasons not enough hours in the day Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Axtell, NE Posts: 550	Re: Which model steering column do I have? Check out this post starting with #8.http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=147927

10-07-2010, 07:27 PM	#14
jasons not enough hours in the day Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Axtell, NE Posts: 550	Re: Which model steering column do I have? No problem. Anything you could want to know about these trucks can be found here.

10-07-2010, 10:31 PM	#16
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Which model steering column do I have? that tilt was run from 72 to 81, and a small number of 82 vans. Yours looks to be a later one, starting in 77 or so. It has the later perndl lens, and shorter shifter.

10-08-2010, 06:11 PM	#18
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Which model steering column do I have? You can make the plug with crimp on terminals, or find a van in a junk yard and snip them out.



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