55.2-59 Older GM tilt column shift column

[clegg]

I currently have a Summit tilt column in my 55.2 LQ4 4l80E C4 suspension. I want to use a better column (used gm one for lower cost) and also go to column shift.
The summit column has a DD output, I can convert this with whatever u joint.

There is a 1985 Chevy truck column nearby. Would this work ok as far as with the 4L80E? I guess I would need a cable type linkage?

[clegg]

Stupid iPhone upside-down pic.

[clegg]

These seats are going in it.
I guess I could make a build thread, but I'm not good at documenting.

[Driver_WT]

Nice seats. What did they come out of?

[clegg]

2004 Silverado. Both are power and built in seat belts. I am an upholsterer by trade.

[Driver_WT]

Thanks. I would say you are a damn fine upholsterer.

[clegg]

Thank you. Those seats have had extensive mods including foam to achieve the look that I think will match this era and style of truck.

[Driver_WT]

Originally Posted by clegg

Thank you. Those seats have had extensive mods including foam to achieve the look that I think will match this era and style of truck.

Those seats would look awesome in any era truck.

[mr48chev]

That column should be a reasonably simple swap if it is for a 700R4 and setup to work with a 4 speed automatic. No how do I get the detents right to get it to work. you can probably go cable or go with something like the either cable or rod from Lokar that you see when you scroll down the page. http://www.lokar.com/auto-trans-access-parts.html
Up side down trucks make me dizzy and that seat is far too nice looking to be sideways. That is some nice work.

[1project2many]

GM vans from maybe late '70s? to '95 used cable shift. They were available with tilt. Astrovans would be the same way. Stick to the later models to get overdrive transmission shift indicator.

[70shortfleet]

Ed, this is Les, I met you about a month ago. Came over and got some glass bead blast material. When you are ready for your tilt column I can help you out on that and maybe work out some kind of deal on some upholstery work in trade for a tilt column for your truck. I still have your number and if you want to talk let me know. I hang out in the 67-72 part of the board, check out some of the columns that I have done! thanks, Les

[clegg]

Originally Posted by 70shortfleet

Ed, this is Les, I met you about a month ago. Came over and got some glass bead blast material. When you are ready for your tilt column I can help you out on that and maybe work out some kind of deal on some upholstery work in trade for a tilt column for your truck. I still have your number and if you want to talk let me know. I hang out in the 67-72 part of the board, check out some of the columns that I have done! thanks, Les

Les, my buddy actually had a column that is going to work for me. I traded my floor shifter and the existing column.

[_Ogre]

i used an gm astro van column in truk, it was dd shaft
if you need to adapt to something else borgson (sp?) has adapter u-joints like what you need to go to a mustII rack
all the speed shops sell them

[clegg]

I have sourced a gm column (truck or van not sure)and have it roughly mounted. The dash mount bracket needs the column angled even less although I have the column mounted quite a bit higher at the firewall than stock.


I am guessing machined billet spacers for this or modify the bracket?

An aftermarket drop will not fit the column because of the dimmer switch rod and I would rather have the factory type mount.


I have the column already attached to the steering shaft and C4 rack.

[Stepside Jim]

I used a column from a 1980's GM. Had the same issues you are dealing with.

In my build thread posted below on page 21 or post number 522 you can barely see some angled shims I made to correct the dash to column mount.

A couple pages earlier, I showed how I made the mounting cover piece.

I used a floor mount dimmer to get rid of the switch mounted on the column.

Also removed the ignition switch too.

Cleaned up the column to look like there never was an automatic trans lever and smoothed over the ignition switch boss also.

Following along in the build thread I show pics of cleaning up the GM column.

Hope this helps, Jim

[clegg]

Nice work there on the mount and the wire, etc cover.

I see that you also mounted the column (where it exits the firewall) higher than the original location.

I ended up exiting the column high also to lessen the praying mantis feel of such an angled column.

[clegg]

This took a bit of time, but ended up boxing 3/16 steel with bolts welded inside of the structure. Basically a spacer that bolts to the dash and to the factory column support.

My tig is loaned out to a friend, so had to mig this. I'm not sure if my helmet needs to be set lighter for mig welding. As I weld, I cannot see the path to follow as clearly as if I'm tigging.

I am not professing to be the finest welder, but the penetration is there.

[Stepside Jim]

Yes, the higher column hid more of the column, more foot room, allowed for better brake pedal location, less steering shaft angle, less altering of the carpet.

Come to think about it, I sure am glad I made it higher.

[clegg]

Jim, I was looking at more of your build thread. When you rolled the cab on it's back to access to work on it, was it difficult to roll back as far as the weight? I am getting to this point and have no help.

[Stepside Jim]

I'm no big guy so I'd say most would have no problem. I do believe I used a strap and hooked it to the rear window opening when rolling it onto and picking it up from it's back side. This strap gave me something to grab a hold of as the cab goes all the way to its backside.

One thing to use also is... get some 6x6 wood blocks, place them on the floor so the footsteps make contact with the wood before the side rocker panels make contact with the concrete floor and deform them, especially if rolling the cab forward towards the firewall.

Oh, I also laid furniture blankets down too.
Good luck, Jim

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by clegg

This took a bit of time, but ended up boxing 3/16 steel with bolts welded inside of the structure. Basically a spacer that bolts to the dash and to the factory column support.

Attachment 1873546

great minds think alike. Almost identical to my column mount

[burnin oil]

sorry wrong forum. I was thinking of my 72.