Has Anyone Ever ?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
I have a factory tilt wheel column from a '78 F150 so, I didn't have any problems of the bracket clamping around the column tube.
Looks like you may have to make some sort of split bushing --possibly out of some UHMW material (?) --just a thought, to take up the gap and secure the tube.
https://www.usplastic.com/mobile/item.aspx?itemid=23155
The factory column tube O.D. is 2-1/4".
Looks like you may have to make some sort of split bushing --possibly out of some UHMW material (?) --just a thought, to take up the gap and secure the tube.
https://www.usplastic.com/mobile/item.aspx?itemid=23155
The factory column tube O.D. is 2-1/4".
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 4
I have a factory tilt wheel column from a '78 F150 so, I didn't have any problems of the bracket clamping around the column tube.
Looks like you may have to make some sort of split bushing --possibly out of some UHMW material (?) --just a thought, to take up the gap and secure the tube.
https://www.usplastic.com/mobile/item.aspx?itemid=23155
The factory column tube O.D. is 2-1/4".
Looks like you may have to make some sort of split bushing --possibly out of some UHMW material (?) --just a thought, to take up the gap and secure the tube.
https://www.usplastic.com/mobile/item.aspx?itemid=23155
The factory column tube O.D. is 2-1/4".
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 947
Likes: 6
From: Manitoba, Canada
What if you took a thick rubber matt and cut a 3" wide strip and wrapped it tightly around until you get the right diameter. The green trim piece would cover it up. Is that the only thing that keeps the whole column from turning? It would have to be clamped tightly.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 4
Not sure if rubber would be the right material, the OEM brace is welded to the steal column housing. This prevents any upward and downward or side to side movement of the column. It would have to be made of a material with no give.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 4
If I could secure the column against the upper half I would be happy with an engineered lower bracket
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 251
From: North Pole, Alaska
Nearly all the aftermarket columns were developed from Chimmy columns and for street rods like 32 Fords so they are not an exact match. Some don't even use Ford wiring patterns so they will have to be adapted to the Ford harness. Was this an Ebay buy?
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 4
Yep, I bought it on eBay, it has a 2in outside diameter, a lot smaller than OEM
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 4
The brace is only about 1/4 inch thick, I think I am going to weld in a piece of 3/8 stock to the lower half of the bracket.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 947
Likes: 6
From: Manitoba, Canada
What if you were to drill a hole in the upper half and install some kind of short pin that goes just slightly into the new column. That would hold it in place in all directions when you figure out the clamp from below.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 4
This is what happens when you try to save money, Looks like I'll be dropping the big bucks for an Ididit column with the correct OD and bracket welded on😂
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 947
Likes: 6
From: Manitoba, Canada
I've looked into aftermarket columns for our bumps in the past and I've never found one that would work without considerable hassle. For one thing most of them come with GM wiring. Even the Ididit retrofit column for our bumps require some adapting and a tilt model with no column shifter, painted black is over $800.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
I've looked into aftermarket columns for our bumps in the past and I've never found one that would work without considerable hassle. For one thing most of them come with GM wiring. Even the Ididit retrofit column for our bumps require some adapting and a tilt model with no column shifter, painted black is over $800.
Given the above, I probably have around $750.00 in my '78 column when all was said, done and installed. --but, it's a factory part that bolts up and fits right the first time.