Help me identify this steering column please
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Help me identify this steering column please
So I’m slowly working my way through this automatic 75 F100. My drive selector just kind of floats through the gears without locking into a position. So first thought was some internals to the column were broken. After looking at the column I’m thinking that it’s not original equipment. Can you help me to identify this column?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Hooded shift indicator dial, 4 way flasher switch on right side of column: 1973/77 F100/350 or 1978/79 F100/350.
Where is the NSS, towards the bottom of the column (1973/77) or on the trans (1978/79)?
Where is the NSS, towards the bottom of the column (1973/77) or on the trans (1978/79)?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 15
From: Lower Mainland B.C.
It is not original equipment.
Just by looking at your pics the shape is wrong for it to be a 1975 steering column.
It is a 1978 / 1979 style truck column as those use the plastic trim piece that goes between the dash and the shift collar.
This one is missing that plastic trim piece as it was put in an older truck so they probably got it from a parts truck or forgot the trim piece.
The 1973 - 1977 columns only had the metal trim piece that has 2 clips and 2 screws to hold it where the column passes under the dash, and you are missing that piece too.
The wiring is slightly different for the NSS (Neutral Safety Switch), there are 2 versions, one is from 1973 - 1977, and the other is 1978 - 1979.
Previous owner probably modified the wiring or bypassed the NSS to use the newer column in the older truck.
If you're going to restore it, or just get everything back to 1975 specs than you will have to source a 1973-1977 style steering column and most likely have a wiring repair to do, and then adjust the NSS.
I would guess that you are able to start the truck up with the shifter in any gear the way it is now?
Actually, the NSS in 1978 - 1979 was on the transmission, the NSS on 1973 - 1977 was on the steering column.
So you %99 have no NSS in your tuck, and should be able to start with shifter sitting anywhere.
Floating through the gears is one of 2 problems I've encountered on these trucks columns, the other is that it jams into Park or another gear and then the steering column has to be removed/repaired, or changed, before the truck will move by itself again.
Just by looking at your pics the shape is wrong for it to be a 1975 steering column.
It is a 1978 / 1979 style truck column as those use the plastic trim piece that goes between the dash and the shift collar.
This one is missing that plastic trim piece as it was put in an older truck so they probably got it from a parts truck or forgot the trim piece.
The 1973 - 1977 columns only had the metal trim piece that has 2 clips and 2 screws to hold it where the column passes under the dash, and you are missing that piece too.
The wiring is slightly different for the NSS (Neutral Safety Switch), there are 2 versions, one is from 1973 - 1977, and the other is 1978 - 1979.
Previous owner probably modified the wiring or bypassed the NSS to use the newer column in the older truck.
If you're going to restore it, or just get everything back to 1975 specs than you will have to source a 1973-1977 style steering column and most likely have a wiring repair to do, and then adjust the NSS.
I would guess that you are able to start the truck up with the shifter in any gear the way it is now?
Actually, the NSS in 1978 - 1979 was on the transmission, the NSS on 1973 - 1977 was on the steering column.
So you %99 have no NSS in your tuck, and should be able to start with shifter sitting anywhere.
Floating through the gears is one of 2 problems I've encountered on these trucks columns, the other is that it jams into Park or another gear and then the steering column has to be removed/repaired, or changed, before the truck will move by itself again.
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