I have a 54 with the 3 on the tree column. I installed a Toyota 4X4 power steering gearbox in it and because I wanted to keep the 3 on the tree, I was able to modify (shorten) the original style column/shifter to make it work. It wasn't difficult at all. I have some pics in my albums, and can get you more of modified column if needed.

 

ammf6, I see you're in Australia. We in the states didn't get the C10 gearbox, in fact I had never heard of it until I googled it. Are you looking for a way to hook up the column shifter to control the C10? From what I saw, the C10 is sort of similar to a C4. Maybe if you can get a column from a '56 that came with an automatic you could modify the linkage to work. Is your truck RHD or LHD?

 

An automatic steering column for a '56 is a pretty rare find.

I bought a shifter off a '56 Ford car, which there seem to be a lot on eBay. They're too short, so I had to lengthen it. Also had to make an index plate, which isn't too hard when you see how the levers work. And then I made the linkage from the shifter to C6 because I didn't feel like paying for one, lol.

You might be able to adjust a few things on your stock column to get it to work, mine was on the floor not on the tree so I haven't actually ever seen one in person. Big thing is being able to have something that can catch the index plate. I was able to install it on my truck without taking out the column or even the steering wheel (because it had welded itself on).

It's more than do-able, but it's going to be custom work... unless you can find the ultra rare '56 Ford TRUCK automatic column.

 

OMG , 4 weeks ago I took a 56 auto column to the tip thinking no one would want it , especially in Australia. Have gone with a collapsible column for safety reasons as this will be my wife's truck. So sorry mate. I think I just vomited a bit .[img=left]https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/images/icons/icon9.gif[/img]

 

 

Sorry guys , new to the truck scene. Have always had mustang fastbacks or local Aussie muscle cars where all parts are readily available. Sorry again.

 

Not your fault. It's just one of those things that happens.

Think of all the hundreds of thousands of parts that got scrapped before the web shrank the globe and spread the information out there. It's better now, but it still happens.

And for those of you not in North America, here a C10 is a Chevrolet truck. When I first saw the title I thought it involved putting a Chevy steering gear box on a ford column. Even though we speak a version of the same language, there is still a difference in automotive technology. But we're learning.

 

It's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Might only have interest from half way around the world, which after shipping costs and negotiating you might have only made $50 for the headache.

Not a lot of people go through the work of swapping in an automatic transmission but not the steering column. It's a rare part but also a rare demand. Maybe one or two people on here would have been interested and doubtful shipping costs would have made it worth it. I myself would have only been interested for a small window, and after $50 in parts and not having to swap anything it would not have been worth it for me to get one, even locally, compared to what I did do.

Dont worry, we either unintentionally discard something someone would have paid for or we horde everything and years down the road your kids wonder why you held onto so much junk lol.