Steering column question
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Blackville, SC, USA
Steering column question
I know there is a difference on the '78. I used one out of a two wheel drive in my four wheel drive but the splines on the end through the firewall were different and it wouldn't have worked had I not been using a new shaft from Borgeson.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Apple Valley CA USA
Steering column question
no difference in splines. all tilts were exactly the same. i have never heard of one being different from a non-tilt but the last post said his were different so i guess it is possible (it doesn't show in the ford parts book though). i do know you have to line the splines up correctly or it won't go together and that can be fun. i took my intermediate shaft out and bolted it to the column and them put the whole thing in as an assembly. hawkrod
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Steering column question
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Jun-02 AT 12:10 PM (EST)]The difference is at the bottom where it attaches to the intermediate shaft.
The 2wd has the flange end that bolts attaching the rag joint .
The 4 wd has a shft nub that the U-Joint type intermediate shaft slides onto this nub.
There is also a difference with the lower mounting flange.
I have photo's I'll post.
EDIT: Photo > The 2x4 is the top one.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/TiltSteering2x44x4.JPG
[font color=red]Dennis
Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|FTE Moderator]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
[link:www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html|My Website,"North Of The 49th"]
[font color=red]
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
[/font]
The 2wd has the flange end that bolts attaching the rag joint .
The 4 wd has a shft nub that the U-Joint type intermediate shaft slides onto this nub.
There is also a difference with the lower mounting flange.
I have photo's I'll post.
EDIT: Photo > The 2x4 is the top one.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/TiltSteering2x44x4.JPG
[font color=red]Dennis
Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|FTE Moderator]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
[link:www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html|My Website,"North Of The 49th"]
[font color=red]
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
[/font]
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 3
From: Comox Valley, Canada
Trending Topics
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Apple Valley CA USA
Steering column question
the flange end unbolts unless somebody has modified it. there is no way to assemble a tilt column if the flange were permanent. on a two wheel drive there should be a remmoveable coupler that comes off with one bolt (requires a 12 point socket to remove). a non tilt can have a flange at the bottom because the shaft can be slid in from the bottom but on a tilt the tilt mechanism has to be assembled first and the shaft slipped in from the top so the flange has to come off. the ford parts books only show one inner shaft so someone must have modified the one you show pictures of. hawkrod
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Steering column question
That's why I posted the photo.
They are Two DIFFERENT columns and CAN'Tbe interchanged.
[font color=red]Dennis
Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|FTE Moderator]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
[link:www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html|My Website,"North Of The 49th"]
[font color=red]
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
[/font]
They are Two DIFFERENT columns and CAN'Tbe interchanged.
[font color=red]Dennis
Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|FTE Moderator]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
[link:www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html|My Website,"North Of The 49th"]
[font color=red]
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
[/font]
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: 15 miles west of Venus
Steering column question
I am *guessing* that you could use a 4x2 column in a 4x4 if you went to Borgeson and bought a piece that replaced the rag joint with a spline or double D spud, a matching u-joint, shaft and then the one that adapts to the steering box.
I am planning to do this and have not yet called to find out yet.
I am planning to do this and have not yet called to find out yet.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Az
Steering column question
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-Jun-02 AT 01:24 AM (EST)]Hey guys!!
I am in desperate need of a steering column. The shifting lever mounts in a socket like area insided the steering column. That socket area is worn out. It gives me tremendous slack in the lever. My hubby had to drill a hole in a small metel plate, to keep the lever in place, otherwise the lever would pull right out of it's socket.
I've got my truck shop on the lookout for another column, but he hasn't found one. Anyone come across one, please let me know.
I'm in Northern California. It would be for a 78 f-150 4x4
I am in desperate need of a steering column. The shifting lever mounts in a socket like area insided the steering column. That socket area is worn out. It gives me tremendous slack in the lever. My hubby had to drill a hole in a small metel plate, to keep the lever in place, otherwise the lever would pull right out of it's socket.
I've got my truck shop on the lookout for another column, but he hasn't found one. Anyone come across one, please let me know.
I'm in Northern California. It would be for a 78 f-150 4x4
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Steering column question
Did you check the classifieds ?
[font color=red]Dennis
Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/canada_flag_animated.gif
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|FTE Moderator]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
[link:www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html|My Website,"North Of The 49th"]
[font color=red]
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
[/font]
[font color=red]Dennis
Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/canada_flag_animated.gif
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|FTE Moderator]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
[link:www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html|My Website,"North Of The 49th"]
[font color=red]
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
[/font]