73-87 steering column differences

[MikeB]

What year auto trans steering columns will fit a 1982 truck?

[left285]

should be anything from 81 to 87. the earlier years would need to be modified slightly to work properly. ive had an 82 column in my 86 and worked fine

[MikeB]

After doing some research, looks like 79-83 pickup columns are the same for auto trans WITH and W/O tilt.

Starting in 84, I think the wipers and high beams were controlled by a stalk on the column.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by left285

should be anything from 81 to 87. the earlier years would need to be modified slightly to work properly. ive had an 82 column in my 86 and worked fine

Isn't the wipers on an 82 dash mounted and 86 it's column mounted?

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Isn't the wipers on an 82 dash mounted and 86 it's column mounted?

84 and later are column mounted.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by hatzie

84 and later are column mounted.

Right.....

[cdub2010]

I replaced my busted column in my '77 GMC K25 with one from a '90 suburban. Im actually swapping most of the interior over as well. I used the '77 upper column dish on to the newer column so I could keep the same ignition key and simple turn signals and still have the wipers on the dash. I used the 90 hazards, ignition and neutral switch. Everything bolted up and worked fine. I used a Borgeson steering shaft from and older project. Pretty easy except for the dang rust on the donor vehicle

[PowerdbyChevy79]

So will a 78 column be a direct fit in a 82... Im looking at goin to a floor shift and aftermarket only goes to 78... Thx for the info
Posted via Mobile Device

[hatzie]

The electrical connections are the same 78-83.
85-91 will fit with or without moving the dimmer and wiper control to the turn signal stalk.

[CSHADES]

Originally Posted by PowerdbyChevy79

So will a 78 column be a direct fit in a 82... Im looking at goin to a floor shift and aftermarket only goes to 78... Thx for the info
Posted via Mobile Device

The 78 column has a splined output and the 82 had a DD output shaft. so you will also need a different inter shaft to make it work. Other wise it should work fine

[hatzie]

You can avoid the lower shaft mismatch by using the shaft from your donor or building a U-Joint shaft.

[Matt Man]

I need a tilt steering column WITH cruise for my 81... seems to be a unicorn to find.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Matt Man

I need a tilt steering column WITH cruise for my 81... seems to be a unicorn to find.

I was surprised to learn cruise was available in 81, and that the control was on the column. Must be very rare.

This guy is worth a try: http://www.gmtiltsteeringcolumn.com/

I bought a very nice 82 tilt/auto column from him.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by Matt Man

I need a tilt steering column WITH cruise for my 81... seems to be a unicorn to find.

The difference between with Cruise and without is the turnsignal stalk. The columns are the same.

There are at least two cruise stalks with the early transducer controls, floor dimmer, and dash wiper switch.

1. 1968-1980 Cruisemaster Single button in end of stalk
2. 1979-1980 Cruisemaster with resume Single button in end of stalk and slider

Dakota digital makes two stalks for cruise with resume HND-1 & HND-3, that can be made to work with both the Cruisemaster and non wiper Cruise III columns. They are not exact replacements for either switch.

84-91 Cruise control accounts for at least two more different stalks.

1. 2 speed Wipers Late 1984-1991
2. Delay Wipers later 1984-1991

Stock replacement parts can be purchased for these.

While I'm on the subject...
There is absolutely no utility in getting the 2 speed switch in your 1984 on steering column. The cab harness will plug right into the delay box and the non delay 2 speed column wiper switch is around twice the price of the delay switch. To add insult to injury the non delay 2 speed column switches are hard to find too.