I parked my truck at Lowes today to go inside for a material purchase. I came out drove the truck slowly under the loading area canopy. Thought I would back up a bit but it went forward. I moved the shift arm & no change. Ok I can drive it home like this. so I shut it off and loaded. I started out to find that it was in 1st gear. I had to pull back around and was able to go under the hood and set it to drive there. I got home pulled the steering wheel to see the shift tube turning up top. I suspect whatever the issue is I'm going to have to pull the column.

Did not want to have to do that. May be a good time to stick a tilt column in.



John

 

Could you convert to a floor shifter? Or do you like the auto lever on the column...

 

What year tilt will work?

 

I put a tilt from a '78 in mine. You have to do some slight engineering because that column uses a plastic boot to transition the column into the dash. You also have to remove and relocate the column bracket that attaches to the dash or reuse the one from your original column (which is what I did).

Mike

 

John, I used a 78 F250 tilt in the red truck. I cut 2 inches out of the column and shift tube. I sawed 2 inches off the steering column and using a hand grinder made it a double D and plugged it into Borgeson insulated joint DD/Ford gear box spline. I also used the 66 dash clamp. Hazard is on the column so some minor re-wiring will be in order. Bought a nice 14 inch steering wheel with a sorpion in the horn button. I did encounter a alignment issue with the column and cab. Resolved that by shimming the box and slightly shifting the cab. I replaced the plastic lower column bearing with a piece of oak. Turned the oak on a lathe untill it was a squeeze fit in the bottom of the column, drilled a 3/4 inch hole in the center and knocked it in. Looks better and is a lot stronger than the original. The problem that I have not resolved is mounting a backup light and neutral start switch on the transmission shifter shaft. Ford put it there but my C6 case is of an earlier design and I have not worked this out. If the switch fits on yours you will have an easy time doing this swap. I like shifting on the column and the tilt really gives me a bit of needed belly room. Ford tilts are available and Ididit has a really nice deal but a bit spendy. I like the Ford with an aftermarket wheel. IMHO!

 

William, Was the 2" that you removed choice or required? I am presuming choice, seems I recall you posting you are of large stature.


Mine is a work truck can't give up the floor space.


78-79 is supposed to be bolt up, waiting for further from William.



Mike can you better define "You have to do some slight engineering because that column uses a plastic boot to transition the column into the dash."??




John

 

Mr. John.
What steering column do you have in there now?
Most likely the tab on the inner shift tube broke off, or the collar cracked.
I may be able to assist with parts, if you have an automatic power steering column from '65 - '72.

 

Mr. John & Mr. John: There is a bridge made as part of the pot metal shift collar that connects it to the shift tube. The bridge snaps (so what else is new?), the shift lever flops around.

D5TZ-7228-A (replaced C5TZ-7228-A & C9TZ-7228-A) .. A/T Shift Collar Kit-Available from Ford-The Memphis TN Ford Parts Depot has 774 of the little charmers.

MSRP: $65.98 // Dealer net cost: $39.59

Applications: 1965/77 F100/350 & 1973/77 Econoline / The original collar has the pointer made as part of it. This collar has a slot in it, the plastic shift pointer slips into the slot, comes with the collar.

There are several NC dealers (Burlington & Hillsborough) that have this little charmer and Carpenter has (1). Your pal at Carolina might also have it.

Tilt wheel intro'd in 1978 F100/350's and Bronco's, available with A/T & 4 speed, but not with 3 M/T.

Note: The tilt wheel operates off the turn signal lever. Press it forward = BOING!

 

John, I took out 2 inches because I am 6' 230 lbs. I like plenty of room and hated the steering wheel rubbing my belly. The 14 inch diameter really help'd and the tilt is amazing. I also use 68 Mustang seats on the re-poped Ranger brackets and they sit just a little higher in the front than the stock bench seat. The Borgeson joint is also just a bit longer than the old rag joint but a serious improvement over the Ford joint. As for the transition plastic boot, I left that off. The one I had was broken. The4 collar is split so you could add that later. Biggest PITA is the backup light and neutral start switch. Depending on the vintage of your trans as to whether this is an issue for you. Might want to fix what you have and do the tilt deal later when you have time to collect the bits and pieces you will need. Prices always seem to go up if you really need stuff.

 

Hi John, the part that I call the "plastic transition" fits from the base of the shift collar down to the dash and covers the metal steering column tube. The problem is the turn signal wiring runs exposed on the outside of the metal tube on the later column rather than inside like on the '66 column. I used some exhaust tubing that would slip over the column tube with adequate clearance for the wires and made the length to fit between the shift collar and the dash clamp. I also formed a new "transition" between the new tube and the OD of the shift collar out of a rv trailer center hub cap. It sounds crazy, but it actually worked well. It ended up being shaped similar to the '66 column. Bead blasted it all and painted it semi-flat black and put it in!

Mike

 

The column is from my 76 donor. That ol truck gave so much to my slick.


I am fortunate that I was talking to one of my buds here in Creedmo last night, he told me that after he got in form last day of duck hunting late morning that I could use his truck for as long as I needed. I have an install Monday morning so that is a big help.

I will pull the column, lay it out beside the tilt and see what I have to do to make it work. I figured out the wiring on the column that is in there in about an hour so that aint no biggie.

Thanks for all of your input I hope to start on it next week. I will keep you posted.




John

 

1967/77 F100/350: The NSS is the same, mounts on the column (C7TZ-7A247-A / Motorcraft SW-600).

1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco: The NSS mounts on the transmission, there are two different NSS's.

F100/350 & Bronco C6 = D8TZ-7A247 A (Motorcraft SW-1489) / 1978/79 F100/150 C4 = D8TZ-7A247-B (Motorcraft SW-1491).

 

Mike I sent you an email through your profile, would you respond if you receive it?

I see what you are referring to & would like to see some photos of your project if you would.



John

 

IDIDIT makes a new direct fit tilt that will accept the stock ford steering wheel.

ididit inc - 1953-56 Ford Truck Steering Column Made to Fit

I will be using one of these on the Crew Cab.

Garbz

 

I got it out today, it is broke at the top. The tab on the shift tube is off & the the area that the tab fits in in the collar is split end to end. The spring at the bottom pushed it up and off the shift arm.

Now to find parts or see if the tilt will work. I don't think I have all the parts for the tilt so it may be a repair.




Thanks Dave, I am afraid to go digging, what is the cost of one of those bad boys?




John