56 with a mustang 2 ifs, I got a steering column from a caddy that was tilt and telescoping. Not happy with the look or length or the telescoping.

Is ididit the only viable option or are there other options that are cheaper and just as safe. I have read a lot about the cheap Chinese ones being dangerous, don’t know if that’s true, but there has to be other choices for us guys that aren’t building a $30,000 show truck.

 

For me personally, until someone can show me different, the only choice would be Ididit or Flaming River, and I would lean to Ididit. There's way too many documented cases of the cheap copies literally falling apart in your hands. My life and safety, as well as those around me, is worth more than a couple hundred dollars, if that. That's really the only real money difference. The fakes are still asking a lot for what they give. My 2c, fwiw.

 

I went with flaming river because they have one that has matching splines for the stock wheel which i wanted. It seems pretty nice to me but I haven't ever owned an Ididit to compare.

 

I also had a Caddy column and had the same problem as you... went with Ididit since they offered the spline count I needed and F.R. would not. haven't looked back

https://jniolon.classicpickup.com/co...columnin_a.htm

j

 

Depends on the look you want for your truck. I re-worked the steering shaft and went with the original since I wanted to keep the close to stock look.

I have an period aftermarket turn signal, and used a horn kit to keep the stock horn button.

 

I made my own column. I have a Jag IFS in my 51, so i mated the lower half of the jag doner column to a 1963 Ford Galaxy steering column.
Came out nice. Its a short column with universal joints to the jag rack and pinion gear. 1963 turn signal switch and a grant steering wheel adapter.

 

nice work Burnett

john

 

Thanks, John

Unfortunately, things like this take time. Hopefully. I'll finish this vehicle someday and enjoy the car shows.

Thanks
Dan

 

Hey Army Aviation,
Hmmm... Like you we put a Mustang II style IFS in our truck & then had
a steering decision. There were basically (3) choices that we looked at
1) Salvage or remanufactured
2) Cheap Internet Knockoffs
3) Expensive Ididit or Flaming River.

I didn't like the Salvage route as you would have to find parts & rebuild them
or trust your life to really old parts. The price after rebuilding them wasn't a bargain.
We then tried the Cheap Internet knockoffs - the ads looked nice..... The metal looking parts are actually plastic
with just some shiny chrome plate sprayed on them.. We attempted to install it & the plastic just fell apart
& the screws just stripped out. A waste of time & money.

We finally just bought a 30 inch Ididit column for our truck. It works great & we haven't had any problems
in our 30.000 miles. You can save quite a bit of money just getting the paintable versions - the nice metal
one's are pricey.

If you go look at Dave's build threads (drptop77ss). I've always admired his builds & he goes budget
& safely uses salvage parts. If money is a challenge & you can't go with a new Ididit column -
see what Dave uses in his trucks.

Good luck over there in Alabama.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1 (351W/AOD)

 

On the paintable column it comes with clean steel so I had it clear coated and looks like nice. (Ididit ) Good luck with what ever you chose. One of the brands have a collapsible shaft that would be nice also. I bought mine a year ago at the reunion in Pigeon Forge as it was on sale. I would call the dealers and see if any have show specials that they could offer even you not being in attendance a the the show. For all that are at the show I hope you have a good time.