The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1967 - 1972 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-13-2018, 06:36 PM   #1
MHeffeGMC71
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Harlingen Texas
Posts: 30
Question steering column for my 1971

I am looking at getting a new steering column for my 1971 GMC long bed and I am having a hard time figuring out what I need. I have been looking at eBay and for $244 I can get one which sounds like a great deal but I am not sure if it’s to good to be true. I am also not sure if it needs to be 32in 31 or 30. I would love more room since I am 6’3 but just not sure. I have been reading on here but the more I read the worse it gets.

Thanks PS my truck is no 50k show truck its a daily driver.
MHeffeGMC71 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 06:47 PM   #2
sick472
Registered User
 
sick472's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Sedalia Mo.
Posts: 1,130
Re: steering column for my 1971

I can't help you with a source for purchasing a new/refurb column, but you should look into rebuilding yours. Some of the parts are difficult to find and/or a bit expensive, but you may not need those items. I just restored my tilt column with some reading here and on the net AND a fair amout of patience I accomplished very good results. I did not have to source the hard to find bits becuase mine were still in good working order. Just needed some cleaning and greasing and paint.

I think there is someone here that rebuild them and has a good reputation, but I can not recall is name at the moment.
__________________
He who is without oil shall throw the first rod. Compressions 8.7:1

1972 C10
1976 C10 (parts truck)
1985 K20
sick472 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 03:46 AM   #3
Already Gone
70+ ( Old Skool Club )
 
Already Gone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada
Posts: 9,070
Re: steering column for my 1971

The board member in the link rebuilds tilt steering columns and has sold lots to board members and 0 complaints. I'm sure he could fix you up with a non-tilt column if that is what you want and you won't have to worry about quality.




http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=758922
__________________
1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4
1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package
1992 K1500 GMC Suburban

Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601

" 4 Things When Used are Gone Forever "

" A Word After it is Said - A Missed Opportunity - Time once Passed - Trust after its Lost "


RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021
Already Gone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 07:19 AM   #4
FRCvette
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: cincy
Posts: 693
Re: steering column for my 1971

I bought a rebuilt tilt column from 70shortfleet for my 70 and couldn't be happier. Be careful about buying one of those cheap China made columns.
__________________
There's something women like about a pick-up man

1967 c10 swb Stepside
2004 SSR
2013 Silverado swb
FRCvette is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 08:22 AM   #5
hooperca
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Lilburn, Georgia
Posts: 47
Re: steering column for my 1971

I also got mine from 70shortfleet and it is extremely nice. Hell, even the shipping crate was a work of art!
hooperca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 09:58 AM   #6
MHeffeGMC71
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Harlingen Texas
Posts: 30
Re: steering column for my 1971

Thanks for the info but mine is not a tilt and has had a ruff life. I am looking to get a tilt column hopping it will give me some more room. So what length of shaft did you buy?
MHeffeGMC71 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 10:36 AM   #7
70shortfleet
Senior Member
 
70shortfleet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: St.Peters, MO
Posts: 2,223
Re: steering column for my 1971

If you need more room, I do a custom tilt that is 2'' shorter than the stock factory tilt and it will give you the extra room you are needing. Just did 2 of those this week. They run $650 plus shipping, thanks, Les
70shortfleet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 01:01 PM   #8
hooperca
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Lilburn, Georgia
Posts: 47
Re: steering column for my 1971

@ MHeffeGMC71 - there you go, straight from the horses mouth! Again, Les does some fine work. You won't be disappointed.
hooperca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 01:16 PM   #9
72Subby
Registered User
 
72Subby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 68
Re: steering column for my 1971

Quote:
Originally Posted by MHeffeGMC71 View Post
I am looking at getting a new steering column for my 1971 GMC long bed and I am having a hard time figuring out what I need. I have been looking at eBay and for $244 I can get one which sounds like a great deal but I am not sure if it’s to good to be true. I am also not sure if it needs to be 32in 31 or 30. I would love more room since I am 6’3 but just not sure. I have been reading on here but the more I read the worse it gets.

Thanks PS my truck is no 50k show truck its a daily driver.
I've helped a few folks who bought "eBay columns" try to get them to work... there are many varieties and I don't want to smear them all as cheap/bad/etc., but I'd advise you to look carefully and really calculate the "savings" you are getting.

Those columns are often "generic", not exactly sized for good fit, requiring you to buy additional parts to mate with your steering box, shifter, wheel, or wiring harness.

There are some excellent members on this site that rebuild original columns, and excellent vendors here that can get you the best deal o a high-quality aftermarket column (I've used several IDIDIT columns and recommend them). I'd recommend you look into those.

Everybody loves a deal, but like a lot of things in life, "you get what you pay for"

as for size, depending on column shift or not, and the column you choose, you can adjust the column to get an inch or more of additional clearance, and also consider some steering wheel options to get additional room (trading off dish and diameter for a comfortable position)


--Steve
__________________
Help! My project parts hauler became a project!
72Subby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 07:16 PM   #10
Already Gone
70+ ( Old Skool Club )
 
Already Gone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada
Posts: 9,070
Re: steering column for my 1971

In my opinion nothing works better on these old trucks than OEM parts whether NOS, refurbished properly or just plain used and detailed.
__________________
1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4
1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package
1992 K1500 GMC Suburban

Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601

" 4 Things When Used are Gone Forever "

" A Word After it is Said - A Missed Opportunity - Time once Passed - Trust after its Lost "


RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021
Already Gone is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:02 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com