I have a GM tilt/shift/key column that I am considering putting in my 54 F100. I don't want the shifter (have floor shift auto) and want to keep the dash ignition key as well. I have scoured this board and the internet, but can't find info on this conversion. One catalog I found has plastic 'dress up' peices that cover the shaft and I think the holes left from eliminating the shifter and ignition, but I need more info about doing this. Anyone done this or know who sells a conversion kit?

Also, would I use the stock GM floor mounts that come on the column, or do I cut these off and use one of the aftermarket brakets?

Thanks,
Brad

 

Brad,
Do you know what the column was taken from? Typically, the shifter mechanism can be eliminated by replacing the collar with one from a floor shift column. I believe this requires complete disassembly of the upper portion of the column. You will have to do something different with the nuetral safety switch and the "key off/steering wheel postion lock" too.

Removing the key is a different story. I've not seen any kits to do this, although with some carefull cutting and metal work, it could probably be done. The mechanics of the switch could be removed when the shifter collar is changed.

Not sure about the mounting, as you have to decide how high you want it to be in your truck. The current lower mount may work or you may have to relocate it, or just use the aftermarket version. Kind of a personal preference thing on the overall position.

If you want to scour the local junk yards, a 67-72 Chevy/GMC truck tilt with a 4 speed will have no shift lever and no key. These are very hard to find (read this as expensive), but the same column is found in vans and motorhomes up into the 80's. The hard part will be finding one with a floor shifter, not an automatic.

You might want to at least get prices from Ididit, Flaming River, etc, as I think their columns are based on the GM versions. If you decide to look for a GM column, PM me and I can provide some links to sources in your area.

Good Luck!

 

I found a local guy who will convert the column I have for @$150, or sell me a stock GM tilt no shift/key for $250. I figured for $250 I can get an Ididit. I'm on a budget so I was hoping I could do it myslef for less than the $150 he wants. Doesn't sound like a bad price after your description!

Thanks!

 

I just picked up a 78 GM van column with column shift, tilt, and no key from my local yard for $60. Add $15 for billet ***** and $25 for billet shifter and you have a sweet column.

I had to drive a small pin out of the shifter mechanism to get the lever off. In the normal mounting possition, I had to drive the pin up. I hope this helps.

Brad

 

Brad,
See if he can show you a sample of his work. $150 doesn't sound too bad if he removes the key, removes the wheel lock, replaces the shifter with a floor shifter type. OTOH, $250 is a great deal if that column is correct for a 67-72 truck. That's about half what I've seen them go for on e-bay and the net.

svoom,
I would love to know your source for an aftermarket shifter. I've been told by several vendors that the early GM truck/van has a unique shifter and no-one is even making a re-pop, much less anything custom. I sure hope you're right and it'll be another in a long list of lessons learned.

Good Luck!

 

I was in the same boat, several months back, I removed the key but not the shifter, I pulled the switch shaved the part that protrudes out where the key shifts into, filled with bondo and it looks pretty good. I cannot see why removing the shifter would be any different.

If you are still going to end up spending on a new column, might as well cut the one you have up

Truthfully you can’t even tell there was had a key slot.

The internals were just cut away.

I like cutting things.

 

Rey is right on the money. I have done a truckload of these columns by just cutting off the offending parts, I have filled the resulting holes with liquid metal or gorilla hair and finished them off with bondo. Piant and enjoy! I also like cutting things

 

Boy, it sure is easy to pic out the "dark-siders"!

 

Should be another one along real soon to explain how to chuck the whole column into a lathe and smooth off the bondo quicker.

I think Zigs sells a cover if you make too big a mess.

 

I like the sound of the virtually free idea of cutting it up and filling the holes. Glad to hear it's not more complicated that that. I checked out Zigs for those covers, but didn't find them. Did a little more surfing and found them - finally - at speedwaymotors.com. $57 for the 4 cover peices.

Is there much to removing the shift linkage? Nothing a saws-all or cut-off wheel can't handel? I too like cutting things, especially if they dont' have to go back together!)

Great feedback - exactly what I was looking for - thanks everyone! More opinions/thoughts still welcome...

 

I found this site

http://www.stuart.iit.edu/students/2...tiltcolumn.htm

http://www.stuart.iit.edu/students/2...iltcolumn2.htm

of what we are all talking about. Its one way of doing it.

Rey

 

Fatfords,

I bought a $15 set of billet ***** on ebay that said they wouldn't work on a van column. From the pictures, they looked like they would work so I tried them. Sure enough everything was a direct plug in except for the turn signal handle that needed about .03" ground off the end.

With this in mind I bought the $25 billet shift handle that also said it wouldn't work on a van column. Unfortunately, they were right this time. The good news is that the steel part that actually connects to the column is a seperate piece from the billet handle. I drilled out the pin that held it in and machined a new insert that was the same shape as the end of the stock column handle. I put in a new pin and it plugged right in.

I'm guessing that if you don't have access to a mill and a lathe, a machine shop would charge about $20 to make the insert. So in total $45 for a billet column shifter isn't too bad.

Good luck - Brad

 

[QUOTE=fatfenders]Should be another one along real soon to explain how to chuck the whole column into a lathe and smooth off the bondo quicker.

You DO know that a vertical mill makes it easier to remove the key housing! By the way, I just set the gear selector to the park position and mig it in place and be VERY sure to cut the locking teeth off of the the steering wheel lock!

 

53choptop - thanks for the link to that column redo!

 

If there is a lot of brackets etc on the column you can just whack them off any ol way and slip a length of the appropriate size exhaust tubing over the whole thing. A couple short metal screws in inconspicuous places will secure it in place. A cheap floor mount can be 2-3 "L" brackets from the hardware store screwed into the column and floor. Look in the plumbing dept and you may find a chrome trim ring that is meant to go around a pipe going into a wall to cover the cutout in the rug.