I'm replacing the column in my 69 F-100 with a spare one I've had on the shelf for years. I got it from a guy that had at least 10 Ford trucks in his yard, and a shed full of parts (I made acquaintance with him when I bought an engine/trans combo from him). This was probably 15 years ago. He had labeled it as a 1973 but now that I have torn in apart and apart to order some replacement parts, I am wondering if it might actually be a 72.

The steering wheel seems to be the same style in 72 or 73. But looking at my turn signal assembly, the replacement ones for 73-77 all have the 4 way flashers as part of it, while this column does not (which is what a 72 would have).

The shift level has a chrome **** at the end, which would be expected for a 72, but in looking at the diagram on LMC it looks like 73 and up would have a black shift ****.

 

I can't see the TSS connector in any of the photos but, a '73-'79 would have a large, flat, gray, 10-pin connector that's partially curved in shape --although, not all 10 slots has a wire in them.

On automatic columns, the gear selector was changed to chrome from previous years that had painted selector levers.

'73-79 columns would also have the emergency flasher switch mounted on the side.

 

Has an 8 position plug connector, with 7 wires. One position is left empty.

 

That's a '70-'72 style connector.

'67-'69 had two separate connectors. '69 connectors on the left. '73-'79 connector on the right.



'70-'72.




'73-'79.

 

I feel like, from everything I've seen, that this column is a 72. Would you agree with that ultraranger? I've ordered all the parts I'm going to need, the shifter pointer, the dial indicator, etc, etc, going from the assumption of it being a 72.

 

Originally, there would have been a sticker on the TSS wiring harness that would have had an engineering number indicating the year. It may still be on there or, it may have crumbled and fallen off.

That style steering wheel was first used in '71 ('67-'70 was a 3-spoke). If everything on the column is stock and hasn't had parts swapped around from something else, I would say it's either from a '71 or a '72 model.

 

No, there's no sticker left on the switch connector. As far as whether this is completely stock or not, I can't say, but check out this picture. It looks like the shift collar is a different color than the rest of the column, so maybe that was replaced at some point - or maybe it just faded more for some reason.

Do you know anything about the shift tube, inside? It appears to be spring loaded, and will spin without engaging the shift linkage arm at the base of the shaft, unless I push down against the shift tube when I turn it.

 

It's possible the shift collar could have been replaced. Generally, automatic columns aren't as likely for the gear selector boss breaking where the roll pin attaches the gear lever as on a manual shift column but, I guess it could have happened.

As to the way the column acts, you would probably just have to disassemble it to see what's going on and replace any items that may be worn.

The location of the NSS was in that spot on the (automatic columns) in the Bumpsides and in the Dentsides through 1977. In '78, the NSS was moved to the side of the transmissions (C4 and C6). However, I think it's fairly safe to say your column looks to be from a late Bumpside truck --'71 or '72.

 

It has been replaced if this is a 1971/72 column.

1965/72 F100/350: The shift dial indicator pointer was made as part of the pot metal shift collar.

1973: FoMoCo changed the design, the pointer (D3TZ-7A110-A) is a separate (plastic) part, slips into a slot in the shift collar (slot visible in 1st pic in post #1).

This collar was the 'service part replacement' for the 1965/72 collar, also used on 1973/77 F100/350, Bronco & Econoline.

D5TZ-7228-A (replaced C5TZ-7228-A & B; C9TZ-7228-A; D3TZ-7228-A) .. A/T Shift Collar Kit (includes D3TZ-7A110-A pointer [also available by itself]) / Ford just obsoleted it.

1965/77 F100/350; 1973/77 Bronco & Econoline.
-------------------------------------------------------
F100/350 4 way flasher switch:

1967/69 = Located inside glove box / 1970/72 = Located on dash below instrument cluster to the right of the column / 1973/77 = Made as part of the T/S switch, button protrudes from R/S of column.

2 spoke steering wheel & horn pad w/switch pictured in post #1: 1971/77 F100/350; 1974/77 Bronco; 1975/77 Econoline except 1975/77 F100/350 & Econoline w/Speed Control.

 

This metal plate that guides the shift lever is very worn, you can tell that this must have a very sloppy shifting column. Through looking at exploded diagrams, it appears the Ford name for this is "shift lockout plate". But it only appears on the exploded diagram for the 73-79 trucks. I don't know what they used for 67-72, but it appears to me that the shift collar I have is from a 73 or newer. This column was definitely cobbled together with parts from more than one year.

The Ford part number I found is D2TZ-7A216-A

 

7A216 is the basic part number shown in car/truck parts catalog illustrations for a gazillion different inserts (aka detents).

The text section of these parts catalogs is required to add the apropos prefix & suffix to get the complete part number and applications.

D2TZ-7A216-A .. Transmission Control Selector Position Insert (aka detent) / Obsolete

1972/77 F100/350; 1975/77 Econoline.
--------------------------------------------
D5TZ-7228-A (replaced C5TZ-7228-A & B; C9TZ-7228-A & D3TZ-7228-A) .. A/T Shift Collar Kit (includes D3TZ-7A110-A Shift Dial Pointer [also available by itself]) / Ford just obsoleted this collar.

1965/77 F100/350; 1973/77 Bronco & Econoline.

The original 1965/72 collar had the shift indicator pointer made as part of it. In 1973, Ford changed the design, the collar has a slot in it for the plastic pointer to slip into.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the pic of 1965/72 F100/250 2WD & 1967/72 F350 steering column. Note that the 'detent' is basic part number 7A216.

But 1965/66 is different than 1967. 1967/68 is the same, but it may or may not be the same as 1969/71. 1972 is different than 1971.

EDIT: Two different types for 1969. I need the last 6 digits of your trucks VIN to determine the correct part number.

 

Thanks Number Dummy! I figured it must have been made as part of the collar itself prior. I just ordered one off ebay for 20 bucks.

 

Well I got my column all finished, it is clear after redoing everything that not all the components were from the same year, this was cobbled together from parts from 2 or possibly 3 different trucks over the years. But now I got everything looking good - except for now I have a gap between the grant install kit and the factory column, plus the grant install kit is a larger diameter than the column!

 

I have not done so myself, but I've read on here if you loosen the bottom of the column you can slide the housing up to meet the grant kit.

 

No, that's not correct. First, the bottom should be all the way up snug against the bearing to begin with, otherwise your shaft is not seated properly. Second, look at the picture I posted, you can see the aluminum "teeth" of the Grant kit extend below the black part (as if they would inside a column, if it was a larger diameter column than the F-100) and the blue plastic horn thing extends up past the edge of the flange, it's actually touching the Grant kit in the picture, so you couldn't go any farther. Poor design maybe? Or perhaps not the correct kit. I've emailed their customer service and waiting for a response.