looking at putting in a chevy column in my 51. which ones should i look for in the bone yards? the ididit tilt shifter columns are $$$$$$$$$$$$
i think im looking for a 30" is this right?

 

Gwilkkrs,

Try this, it'll save you some searching and reading;

http://www.clubfte.com/users/earl/FT..._FAQ__Home.htm


The section on steering columns............

 

Sorry,

Looks like the link to the FAQ article doesn't work anymore. Here's the section on steering columns;


Steering Columns
Changing steering columns is a very popular modification. It is done mainly for the tilt column feature, but also for more stylish appearance, built in signal lever, and automatic transmission gear indicator. Some things to keep in mind when looking at possible donors:
· Do you want the tilt-column feature?
· Do you want the ignition key in the column, or on the dash?
· Are you running an automatic or a manual transmission?
o Do you want the gear indicator on the column?
o How many speeds for your gear indicator?
o Will the gear indicator settings line up with the transmission shift linkage you’re using?
· Can you get an aftermarket steering wheel adapter for this donor?
· Which type of wiring harness will you be working with? (GM, Ford, and Mopar columns are wired differently)
As with the windshield wipers, you have several options for updating the steering column.
Replacement Columns
If you’ve got the budget, then slick, brand new paintable or polished stainless steel/chrome units can be bought in various lengths from Ididit, Billet Specialties, Flaming River, and Snake River Rod & Customs. They range in price from about $275 up to almost $600 depending upon how tricked out you want it. As for vendors, try Jegs or Summit first. In addition, if you’re going with column shift, they can supply a cable assembly that connects your transmission to the column. Summit carries one made by Lokar.

Generally speaking – if you’re running a Mustang II style front suspension, you’ll likely want a 32 or 35 inch column length. Otherwise, a 30 to 32 inch column length should do the job with a conventional steering box. Keep in mind that Ididit measures from the front/top of the wheel adapter down to where the inner shaft ends at the first connection (i.e. a rag joint or Borgeson type joint) on tilt/telescopic columns. Both Ididit and Flaming River show you on their websites exactly how to measure the length for one of their columns.


Ididit Will Also Want the Thickness of the Steering Wheel Adapter
(Illustration Courtesy John Niolon)

Adapting Columns from Other Vehicles
Another option is to read this section and go wrecking yard shopping. The downside of going this route is you could end up with a steering column in which most of the wearable parts are already worn out. Rebuilding a used steering column is not cheap or easy. More than one person has dismantled a steering column to rebuild it and not been able to put it back together. There are an amazing number of parts inside these buggers. However, if I haven’t scared you off yet, then here are a whole bunch of possibilities.
1948-1952 Trucks
· 1969 Lincoln Mark III – tilt, no ignition.
· 1978-79 Ford F or E series – tilt, integral gear indicator, no ignition switch.
· 1990 Ford Van – key on column.
· 1970s GM Van – tilt, no key, sleek design.
· 1970s Camaro – no shifter on the column.
1953-1956 Trucks
· 1976 Ford Torino – tilt
· 1969-1972 Chevy truck/Blazer – no key on column (in heavy demand w/Chevy crowd)
· 1969-1981 GM Vans and motor homes
· 1984 Chevy pick up
· 1973 and newer – key on column
· 1977 through mid 1980s Chevy/GMC Van
· 1978 through mid 1980s Ford F or E series – tilt, integral gear indicator, no ignition switch
· 1983 Ford E-150 – some have AOD gear indicator, ignition on column
· mid-1960s Cadillac
· 1986-1988 Cadillac – tilt and telescopic
· mid-1970s Camaro – no shifter on the column, steel housing to the floor
· 1982 Pontiac Sunbird
· 1986 Jeep Laredo – GM wiring scheme.
· Late 1980s – early 1990s Jeep Cherokee – GM wiring (same donor will get you a wiper motor and intermittent relays for a 1953-1955 F-100)
· 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis
1957-1960 Trucks
· 1978 GM - tilt
· 1979 Cadillac
The above list is not a complete authority on what fits. It’s simply what our forum members have used. A steering column listed under one range of truck years above may work perfectly fine on the other ranges of years. The Chevy then Ford vans and pick ups seem to be the most common donors used by this group. But just about everything has been used by at least member. Try to go with something as late model as possible for reduced wear and ease of locating replacement parts.
One special consideration, forum member Cowman used a 1990 or so Jeep Cherokee donor (the one with the boxy lines) for both the steering column (comes with GM wiring) and the wiper motor (and the relays between the two that gave him intermittent wipers) in his 1954. In this neck of the woods, there are tons of these things in wrecking yards without a lot of hot-rodders or anyone displaying any real interest. In my mind, this is a very interesting alternative that folks should seriously consider. Here are a few pictures from (Chuck) Cowman's gallery.


Jeep Cherokee Steering Column Installation
(Photos Courtesy Chuck Cowman)

General Steering Column Notes
· Use Borgeson (www.borgeson.com) joints to connect it all together. 30 degrees maximum on a 2 joint system. Check their website for tips or do’s and don’ts regarding couplers.
· Ford, GM and Mopar all use different wiring color codes and connectors in their columns. Keep this in mind when ordering a wiring harness for your truck. There are several threads in the 1948-1960 forum that provide the color codes for the different manufacturers.
· There are several threads in the 1948-1960 forum dealing with connecting your column to your box and getting around those exhaust headers.
· The neutral safety switch on Ford and Mopar units is in the transmission, GM has it on the column.
· For those of you that end up going with a GM column, apparently Julianos (www.julianos.com) offers a plastic sleeve that covers all the junk on the column (ignition, wiring, etc.). The jury is still out on whether it’s any good. Speedway and Zigs may have similar sleeves.
· Once again, if you’re a little queasy about tackling this swap, head on over to John Niolon’s website or check out the Tech Articles section of FTE. Yes, John did a “how to” on steering columns too with pictures, lots of pictures.
· Provided your column pokes out through the firewall about an inch or two (and it has to due to your transmission linkage), the shorter column you use, the easier it’ll be to route around headers etc to that steering box.


(don't think the photos came through......darn!)

Hope it helps some,

 

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