steering column swap
- Thread starter j0hn129
- Start date
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smullen
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- I6
How hard is a Steering column swap??? I have an 82.
I'd like to get one with tilt. Not sure if it would be worth the cost and effort just for tilt.
I'd like to get one with tilt. Not sure if it would be worth the cost and effort just for tilt.
Goldie Driver
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If they both either have the wiper switch on the dash or on the column should be plug and play.
If not, then not sure about wiring to go to & from.
Goldie Driver
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Not hard, but you have to be sure to disconnect the clamp under the hood on the lower column- 2 15mm nuts probably covered in black anti rust goop from the factory, the transmission linkage under the hood, which is a cotter pin, the steering coupler which is also 15mm and can be tapped down out of the way with a hammer.
Inside the column is held up by 2 15mm IIRC, 6 10mm on the toe pan - you'll have to pull the insulation out of the way to access the bolts , the shift indicator needs to be disconnected which is either a Phillips screw or a push on metal clip, and of course the electrical disconnects which on yours would be 2 ignition plug ins, a neutral safety switch plug in on the bottom, and possibly a cruise plug in.
Hardest part is probably the 2 outside gooped nuts.
If you change to tilt from non tilt the same ignition plugs are used but they need to be rotated 180 from the old orientation.
Matt69olds
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As long as the donor column is optioned the same it should be a very straightforward swap. If your truck has cruise, but the donor column doesn’t, and you want to keep the cruise, that complicates things. Same thing with delay wipers, headlight dimmer switch, etc.
Randy and Easton
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smullen
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Man, I envy you guys that your dad taught you car and mechanical stuff...
My dad (love and respect the heck outta him) had a really bad temper and did not want me anywhere around when he was working on cars. Him or my uncles were always POed and throwing something. Not a knock on my dad, it is what it is and we get along well now.
Still, I think its really cool when I see a kid and his dad or a mentor helping them build a cool truck or muscle car. I think it would make them appreciate it and take better car of it too.
Curt
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I agree.Mostly all I know is from reading,applying,failing=succeeding.
It is nice to see fathers around,but really nice to see knowledge passed on.
Randy and Easton
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Well, not a lot of knowledge here but will say when he wanted to get an old truck I knew it was going to be more than about the truck. many life lessons along the way. We have laughed, cried, had fights and celebrated during the process. We are proud that he has done this project with his own money and time. One day he can show his kids what he did when he was a teenager, and see where it takes them. Still have a bit to do, but it was really never about the truck.. its about the journey.
He entered it in his first car show.. he loved all the people looking at it…
Randy and Easton
He entered it in his first car show.. he loved all the people looking at it…
Randy and Easton
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Matt69olds
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The good thing about these trucks is their simplicity. Even the TBI trucks are pretty basic. If someone is reasonably handy with basic hand tools, it’s easy to keep one of these trucks going.
This is a good time to be a automative enthusiast. Almost any repair you could possibly imagine is a google search away. And YouTube makes it easy to decide
if it’s a repair you want to try, or best left to someone experienced.
Between Google, YouTube and forums like this it’s hard to go wrong.
This is a good time to be a automative enthusiast. Almost any repair you could possibly imagine is a google search away. And YouTube makes it easy to decide
if it’s a repair you want to try, or best left to someone experienced.
Between Google, YouTube and forums like this it’s hard to go wrong.
