Planning on installing GM 5.3 engine in my 53 F100 but need some guidance on what junk yard tilt steering column that'll work. Kinda wonder what'll work with a mustang II IFS that we have yet to purchase and install.. Any wisdom you'd care to pass this way would be appreciated... Anybody out there that has done this exact remod I'd love to talk with about pitfalls to watch out for...

 

Crickets . . . probably because of the perceived heresy of putting a bow tie in one of Henry's products Many of us have used either a Flaming River or an Ididit tilt column with the usual length being 30" with any variety of Ford engines. I have not used a junk yard column but I would think that whichever one you choose you would have to carefully cut it down to fit. If you are using a Mustang II IFS maybe a Mustang II column would be a good match. Probably still have to cut it down though.

 

1974/78 Mustang II's were not available w/a tilt steering wheel.

1965/79 FoMoCo Passenger Cars; 1978/91 F100/350, Bronco & Econoline:

Tilt wheel operated by pressing the T/S handle forward.

 

As far as hooking them up I think anything can be made to work . I am running a junkyard 1999 Cadillac power tilt and telescopic which with your engine choice should make the wiring easier . I apologise as this is the only current pic I have . It has to exit the cab higher because of the angle it was installed in the caddy , I have a vette front , sbf and it clears my headers .

 

I used a tilt column that was common in the 69-72 A body GM cars. I rolled a stainless cover for the lower section to hide all the wiring. I eliminated the key and steering lock in the column. I considered using a column out of a Cadillac so I could use the telescoping feature too, but it was going to be harder to clean up.

 

Drew I see yours exits a lot higher up the firewall as well ,and ya I haven't got as far as you yet to cover it up but I'm a sucker for trinkets and the power tilt and tel is cool + no key or switch on the column .

 

If one is not using the stock steering box or a box mounted in the same location and angle as the original box then the position and angle of the replacement steering box is going to dictate where the column exits thru the firewall. There's a lot of steering options available for theses old trucks as we all know.

 

My 54 had a GM steering column installed by the po. After it broke twice, I installed a Flaming River unit! Jag

 

Yes it all comes into play but header clearance is the biggest it can get complicated with multiple joints and possible steady bearings but I have seen some amazing jobs .