I don't think that is what Bill was trying to say although I plan on doing exactly what you are thinking.

 

No. What they mean is there are two tilt columns. One has the automatic gear selector on the column. The other is smooth since the 4 speed is on the floor. If you use an auto column, You will have the shift hole and indicator on the column.

 

Use the 4 speed collar and there is no shifter indicator or a shifter handle hole.

I haven't started the swap yet but plan on using the tilt guts from an automatic and modifying it to work in my non tilt stick column.

 

I have taken apart two columns. one tilt auto and on non tilt auto.

My intention on this perticular experiment was to use the better outer tube on the tilt column. Now only difference between the two columns was the steering shaft to box linkage. One column had the rag joint permanatly atached to the column while the other had the bolt on universal joint. Not sure if it makes a difference, but I proceeded anyways.

WhatI found is the tilt column has a shorter inner and outer tube, the non tilt outer tube lakes provisions to secure the tilt mechanism to it, and the tilt column has a bearing at the bottom of the column while the not tilt only had a plastic guide/dust cover type collar.

I have two tilt columns and was experimenting on the not so good one. The plastic collar/bearing assembly(bottom of column) on both of my tilt columns was permantly attached (rusted)to the inner shaft. I was able to remove the plastic collar, and bushing retainer from my "good" column but the bearing was destroyed in the process. However the upper column bushing from the non-tilt column was the same so I just rebuilt the lower column tilt bearing assy using that bearing.

Aslo not a real big deal... but the gear shift lever is shaped different from one column to the other.

Numberdummy, Is this bushing assy available from ford. I cannot seem to locate one in my part catalogs... LMC, Dennis-Carpenter, JBG ect.



My next step is to take apart my 4 spd non tilt column and see what make it tick.

 

Take some pics when you pull the 4 speed apart.

I've seen that bearing at JBG and I've also seen it on Ebay with a metal casing instead of plastic.

 

I didnt end up taking apart the 4spd column... because...

After what I learned taking apart the other two columns is that the main tubes are different lengths. With that In mind I got out my 4spd column and put it beside the other auto tilt column and the tubes are indeed different lenghts.





So, with this in mind...

If I dont come across a good 4spd tilt column by the time I build my 78 F150 Short Bed 4X4 I will be going to plan C.

Plan C.
Disassemble both the auto and stick columns.
Cut both columns and weld one back together to make the 4spd tilt column.