I read thru the steering column tutorial on the main page but wasn't able to answer my question. I currently have a 69 F250 4x4 which the P.O. converted from a manual to an automatic. He added one of those floor shifters for the gear shift so it still has the old steering column. I'd like to find a steering column with the auto gear selector on the column so i can get rid of the aftermarket floor shifter. I don't need a tilt column. Today in the junkyard I saw 2 trucks with parts that might work but wanted some expert guidance before i start pulling parts. the first truck was a 70-72ish 2 wheel drive 3/4 ton and the second truck was a 78 4 wheel drive 1/2 ton. Will either of these trucks work for my application? Just from first inspection the 2 wheel drive shaft looked too short. The 78 looked like it still had the shift linkage attached (which i'll also need) so that might work too, just concerned about the neutral safety switch if that's something i'll have to deal with if switching to a 78 column. My current column and both the trucks i saw in the junk yard all have power steering. Any help or advice would be appreciated!

 

mstpn2 Welcome to and the Bumpside Forum.

The steering column should not be different between 100 and 250, so I would suggest looking at the 78. NSS is a plus but the sun will still come up in the morning if you don't use it. I chose not to connect it when I converted to C6 a dozen or so years back. All it means is that my truck will start regardless of where the gear selector is positioned.

If it is important to you that it is connected then please do.


John

 

Thanks for the quick reply and suggestion!

I'll go back today and try pulling the column. Do you think I'll be able to reuse the shift linkage I pull or am I going to have to order some parts?

 

I am going to guess your transmission is actually setup as a floor shift as mine is and has the shift lever is pointing upwards (I read that c4 and c6 trannys are the same in this area). For a column, shift-based transmission, the shift lever (the thing the linkage from column connects to) should point down.
Lokar makes a kit that provides a clamp-on shift lever and a replacement adjustable shift linkage. The linkage may have to be cut and bent to work and you can't use the reverse light feature (I am guessing it is mounted on the transmission shift lever area).
I am in the middle of installing a c4 in my 71 f100 and so I have been stumbling around trying to make things work.

 

I went and pulled the column this morning, couldn't get the shift linkage removed so I think I will go the route you suggest and order the linkage kit from lokar. Anything else I should be aware of before I start the install?

 

Hate to say I am not a good resource as I am still stumbling through this effort. Since you are only changing shifters, I am surmising you don't have to mess with your kickdown linkage to the carb.
I believe there are several variations of the lokar kit from other makers and on ebay. You can go out and read the instructions before buying at Lokar.
http://www.lokar.com/downloads/pdf-i...tLink-Ford.pdf

 

I see that kit comes in both 21 and 26 inch versions. I'm wondering if I should get the longer version since I'm installing in a high boy? Also the steering column gear selector handle is gone from the column, do you know anyone who sells a replacement?

 

pretty much all of the components needed for the steering column are available on-line, including Dennis-Carpenter.

 

The 78 column will have no NSS but will have the Emergency Flasher switch on it if you choose to use it there. Turn Signal switch wiring little different also. Go here How to Install a Tilt Steering Column - FORDification.com. It is about installing a tilt I know. But it will also help with the above switches.

 

Thanks everyone for the input, are you all in agreement that the 2 wheel drive steering column I also found in the junkyard will not work for my application?