Steering column

[Larry64]

How much trouble is it to put a 1973 steering column in a 1964? Both C10s.

[The Rocknrod]

Define "trouble"?

[Clyde65]

Not much but I would go with a 71/72 truck or van because no key switch.
Also CPP sells a decent replica of the 71/72 tilt column

[vince1]

How about power steering at the same time?

[Clyde65]

Power steering? Use the power steering gear box and pump, depending on the 64 motor, then get an adapter plate from cPt'n Fab here on the forum.

[Larry64]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Define "trouble"?

to put to inconvenience, exertion, pains, or the like:

How hard is the process?

[AcampoDave]

The real "trouble" is retaining your factory e-brake handle and mechanisim. Most later columns have a larger diameter which requires modification of the e/brake bracket. This bracket also has the bump stops to the brake and clutch pedals incorporated into its' design. I have done it a few times and it registered a 6 or 7 on the P.I.A scale with regard to keeping a functional stock e-brake. (Wonder if the Captain has ever considered making a solution for this retrofit
my first pick shows where I removed a section of the factory bracket to clear the column and then added a homemade one just forward of the stocker. The second shows how i had to scallop the aluminum housing of the column to fit the dash. If i had an automatic and wanted to use the shifter this would be more tricky. This particular column is from a '70 Coupe deVille.

[Larry64]

Thanks, that is more than I want to get into. Nice clean job.

[The Rocknrod]

In the FAQ page http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=646002
Look under Steering Columns - There is a whole bunch of threads on the subject.

[Larry64]

Thanks Master Chief

[AcampoDave]

I gotta admit, even tho' they're costly, Ididit and Flamming River are pretty sweet deals once you figure the time involved in retro fitting something old. I woulda gone that route myself, but I was looking for the old school look of the Caddy column and steering wheel.

[leonphelps]

was reading up on someone who did a prius power steering setup on a 66 biscayne. for $100, he made electric power steering on the car. I am sure it would work on a pickup.

http://imgur.com/a/0DA8w

[64shortbox]

Larry,
I don't know about a 73 column. I threw in a tilt column from a 71 Van. Mine is an automatic & I did have to move the neutral safety switch further down the column towards the firewall. As for mounting the column to the dash I took the easy way - the way GM did all the 67 C-10 columns. There is an alignment pin in the dash that holds the column centered and just a basic "U" clamp that keeps the column held in place.

I drilled a 3/8" hole in the dash where the column goes and dropped a 3/8' X 1" bolt in it & backed it up with a 3/8" jamb nut. I then cut a piece of 1/2" thick piece of scrap rubber to fit and punched a 5/8" hole in the center to clear the jamb nut which is 9/16". I slid the column as close to the dash as I could marked for my hole and drilled a 3/8" dead center line for the bolt sticking through. I then just bolted my factory E brake assembly in place which now holds the column in place in perfect alignment. I NEVER attached the column to the E brake bracket.

I'm sure this is a little hard to visualize so I'm hoping my attached pictures will give you a better insight as to what I'm trying convey.

You will need to buy an adapter to match the 64 steering column plug to the 73 plug - readily available, or cut & splice the two together , or do as I did and bought the correct female pins off eBay and cut my original plug and wire in the correct factory plug off a 73 keeping everything factory looking. And as a bonus using an emergency flasher from a Nova I now have 4 way emergency flashers in my 64.

[64shortbox]

Larry,
Some more pictures. The first one is of the 71 male & female plug after I cut out the factory 64 double U shaped and installed the 71 flat wire connector. Your 73 column plug should look identical

The second one is of the 4 way flasher - the one that's just hanging there before I tucked up out of sight. The red wire goes to a constant HOT the black wire goes to the column connector.

The third picture - the middle connector is what I used to tap in for my Hot for the 4 way flashers. On the fuse block it's where the Spot Light would go if the truck had one. Since it didn't I grabbed that connector from another fuse box at the wrecking yard.

Since you plan on using a 73 column with the ignition switch in the column you will also need to splice in your 64 wiring to the switch on the 73 column unless you plan on leaving your ignition switch in the dash on your 64.

[Larry64]

Thanks Shortbox, that is exactly what I will do as soon as I can round up a 67 to 72 tilt column. Until then I will be doing what Lugnuts did (DIY PS upgrade along with moving the factory column and SW forward) for safety.

[richards72chevy]

Are the 67-72 columns collapsible?

[vetnat]

1969 and up, I think collapsible shafts were mandatory. I bought what I thought was a 1969 column, but due to the fact there is no coupler on the shaft, I believe now it is a 1967. As far as I can tell, it is collapsible.

[Kenfuzed]

Will any of the collapsible shafts fit in a 66 column?

[vince1]

A 67 collapsible shaft will fit in a 66 column.

I have heard that 68 shafts are different but don't know for sure.

[vince1]

Does a 68 shaft have that spring to keep tension on the upper and lower bearings?

[norway]

I do not know if this is of any help, but we took the stearing column out of a 80s Chevy Van, used the light switch, windowwiper switch, ignition key and everything as on the van.
Probably easier if you use the coloumn from a pick up because they should have the brackets for the automatic transmission on the right side,but in Norway they are quite hard to get, and expencive
we run with a automatic and could also hook this up to our coloumn. not so bad to do this , but the brackets for the parking brake was the worst thing to get correct. A friend of us bought a new one from CPP and that was just a bolt in
hope you understand my english....