Tilt column ??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**N2TRUX** · 07-22-2003, 10:53 AM

Guys, I need some info. My 77 Cheyenne didn't come with tilt or cruise. I can live just fine without cruise, but I really need a tilt wheel. I put a smaller steering wheel on it, and I can't see the gauges when I'm driving.

What year tilt will fit my truck. Since I don't want to put a used column in without rebuilding to new specs first, how much is involved to rebuild the tilt if I find one? What will I spend in parts and labor?

I am considering just using a column from Ididit so everything will be new. I haven't confirmed it yet, but I think I can get a new column from Ididit for around $350....

brad2 · 07-22-2003, 11:47 AM

I think I have a 84 column in the 74.

bigblock73 · 07-22-2003, 12:07 PM

If you can afford (who am I kidding!) and can get a purty Ididit for that price, I would do that. Tracking down a tilt column, rebuilding it, and repainting it sounds like alot of work...and it will still never look as good as a Ididit piece. Not only that, but you could get a column without the shifter provision and put in a nice floor shifter and have a cleaner look.

Just a thought.

...Jeff

**crossy** · 07-22-2003, 01:06 PM

Ken ,
In the earlier years ,73-83, style there were 2 different types of connections on the bottom of the column. (I may be off by one year on this), but the 73-78 used a spline to connect the steering shaft where as the the 79-83 and newer used a round UNSPLINED shaft with 2 flat sides. You can use either 73-78 or 79-83 as long as you change the entire connecting shaft assembly with it, down to the rag joint. Those are not the easiest to find but if that were my truck ,and seeing the great extent some one went to to keep that stock look ,I would do an original column. A while back someone had stated that this guy steeringcolumnologist@msn.com sells rebuilt ones, I believe his name is Randy. . I think they mentioned the year that you need and the price was very reasonable in my word. Keep in mind What I said about changing the connecting shaft because it may be a lot easier to find a 79 -83 model .
I have a shaft here and one 78-83 column with key. it is tight but not show worthy. DAVE

SCOTI · 07-22-2003, 01:31 PM

Ken, we have a buddy here locally that is pretty decent w/rebuilding tilts so if a used one comes up that's an option.

If Ididit makes a column for these trucks, I would buy one for mine (my truck) given the same situation, so it would definitely be worth it for yours.

Sincerely,
Cheap F**ker

75stepside · 07-22-2003, 01:32 PM

i have an installed column from the guy mentioned above steeringcolumnologist@msn.com his work is incredible and his columns are basically brand new...

i paid less than $150 for a totally rebuilt column and i haven't looked back since... this guy is HIGHLY recommended...

good luck!

SCOTI · 07-22-2003, 01:37 PM

75stepside, how long ago did you install yours?

75stepside · 07-22-2003, 01:46 PM

i put mine in about 2 months ago.... the tilt mechanism is VERY tight... tighter than the tilt in my 2000 s-10!!! all of the switches in the column are new... and he even sent a new lock/switch cylinder and brand new levers.... its a quality investment...

i'll snap some digi pix today and post them later on...

check out my website... i'm building a show ready stepside... and this column is DEFINETLY show ready...

79BIG10 · 07-22-2003, 04:11 PM

I also got mine from Randy (steeringcolumnologist) off of Ebay. You can't beat his work at all. For $114 shipped I had it in less than 10 days to my door and no core charge!!!

SCOTI · 07-22-2003, 04:14 PM

Sounds like he's the 'go to guy'.

Nvbowtie · 07-23-2003, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 79BIG10
I also got mine from Randy (steeringcolumnologist) off of Ebay. You can't beat his work at all. For $114 shipped I had it in less than 10 days to my door and no core charge!!!

Yep I too have ordered one from Randy, 140 shipped to my door excellent buy.

**N2TRUX** · 07-23-2003, 08:35 AM

Well there you go guys. This is the reason I love this forum as opposed to others. You ask a simple question, and you get solid, knowing answers.

I still haven't contacted Ididit to see if their column is a bolt in or not. It appears that doesn't matter though. If Randy does such an awesome job for half the price, he's got my biz.

Thanks for the quick response, and thanks to Crossy for sharing a bit more of his un-ending knowledge of our trucks. If I hadn't seen pictures of him, I would swear he is shaped like a 73-87 builder manual...

**N2TRUX** · 07-23-2003, 08:54 AM

I emailed Randy, but haven't heard back yet. I did a search on Ebay in the neantime. Here is a link to a column he has there now- Tilt Column
Reading the description of what he does before he seels them, it appears he is the column king...

BTW- I checked his feedback too. As expected, it is perfect. The praise is way above average...

07-22-2003, 10:53 AM	#1
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Tilt column ??? Guys, I need some info. My 77 Cheyenne didn't come with tilt or cruise. I can live just fine without cruise, but I really need a tilt wheel. I put a smaller steering wheel on it, and I can't see the gauges when I'm driving. What year tilt will fit my truck. Since I don't want to put a used column in without rebuilding to new specs first, how much is involved to rebuild the tilt if I find one? What will I spend in parts and labor? I am considering just using a column from Ididit so everything will be new. I haven't confirmed it yet, but I think I can get a new column from Ididit for around $350.... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

07-22-2003, 11:47 AM	#2
brad2 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: edmond, ok Posts: 1,056	I think I have a 84 column in the 74. __________________ 74 swb 71 2wd Jimmy 82 2wd Blazer

07-22-2003, 01:06 PM	#4
crossy Oh,you can't buy that new Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsville,N.J. 08070, USA Posts: 2,039	Ken , In the earlier years ,73-83, style there were 2 different types of connections on the bottom of the column. (I may be off by one year on this), but the 73-78 used a spline to connect the steering shaft where as the the 79-83 and newer used a round UNSPLINED shaft with 2 flat sides. You can use either 73-78 or 79-83 as long as you change the entire connecting shaft assembly with it, down to the rag joint. Those are not the easiest to find but if that were my truck ,and seeing the great extent some one went to to keep that stock look ,I would do an original column. A while back someone had stated that this guy steeringcolumnologist@msn.com sells rebuilt ones, I believe his name is Randy. . I think they mentioned the year that you need and the price was very reasonable in my word. Keep in mind What I said about changing the connecting shaft because it may be a lot easier to find a 79 -83 model . I have a shaft here and one 78-83 column with key. it is tight but not show worthy. DAVE __________________ "been there, done that, ruined the T-shirt". 2007 LBZ GMC Sierra, ECSB 2006 LM7 RCSB Silverado 98 Vortec project. 94,3500,6.5L 4L80 81 SWB GMC POS finally gone 73 Pinto, stock, w/CragarSS's-eww LOTS of Cummins trucks.

07-22-2003, 01:31 PM	#5
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,066	Ken, we have a buddy here locally that is pretty decent w/rebuilding tilts so if a used one comes up that's an option. If Ididit makes a column for these trucks, I would buy one for mine (my truck) given the same situation, so it would definitely be worth it for yours. Sincerely, Cheap Fker __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.**

07-22-2003, 01:37 PM	#7
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,066	75stepside, how long ago did you install yours? __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

07-22-2003, 12:07 PM	#3
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	If you can afford (who am I kidding!) and can get a purty Ididit for that price, I would do that. Tracking down a tilt column, rebuilding it, and repainting it sounds like alot of work...and it will still never look as good as a Ididit piece. Not only that, but you could get a column without the shifter provision and put in a nice floor shifter and have a cleaner look. Just a thought. ...Jeff

07-22-2003, 01:32 PM	#6
75stepside Proud Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 741	i have an installed column from the guy mentioned above steeringcolumnologist@msn.com his work is incredible and his columns are basically brand new... i paid less than $150 for a totally rebuilt column and i haven't looked back since... this guy is HIGHLY recommended... good luck!

07-22-2003, 01:46 PM	#8
75stepside Proud Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 741	i put mine in about 2 months ago.... the tilt mechanism is VERY tight... tighter than the tilt in my 2000 s-10!!! all of the switches in the column are new... and he even sent a new lock/switch cylinder and brand new levers.... its a quality investment... i'll snap some digi pix today and post them later on... check out my website... i'm building a show ready stepside... and this column is DEFINETLY show ready...

07-22-2003, 04:11 PM	#9
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	I also got mine from Randy (steeringcolumnologist) off of Ebay. You can't beat his work at all. For $114 shipped I had it in less than 10 days to my door and no core charge!!! __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

07-22-2003, 04:14 PM	#10
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,066	Sounds like he's the 'go to guy'. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

07-23-2003, 08:35 AM	#12
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Well there you go guys. This is the reason I love this forum as opposed to others. You ask a simple question, and you get solid, knowing answers. I still haven't contacted Ididit to see if their column is a bolt in or not. It appears that doesn't matter though. If Randy does such an awesome job for half the price, he's got my biz. Thanks for the quick response, and thanks to Crossy for sharing a bit more of his un-ending knowledge of our trucks. If I hadn't seen pictures of him, I would swear he is shaped like a 73-87 builder manual...

07-23-2003, 08:54 AM	#13
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	I emailed Randy, but haven't heard back yet. I did a search on Ebay in the neantime. Here is a link to a column he has there now- Tilt Column Reading the description of what he does before he seels them, it appears he is the column king... BTW- I checked his feedback too. As expected, it is perfect. The praise is way above average... Last edited by N2TRUX; 07-23-2003 at 09:34 AM.



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