Installed a 78 Tilt Column in an 83 K10

[Mike8393]

I just restored and installed what I believe to be a tilt column out of a 78 Chevy truck. I cleaned up the rust, repainted and put it back together. It installed perfectly in my 83 K10. Steering wheel locks fine but the column shifter does not. Shifts perfectly through Park, Reverse, Neutral and all four (700R4) gears. I've removed the shift linkage and pulled the shift tube lever up as high as it will go and the shifter still does not lock. Does anyone have any thoughts on the problem? Thanks in advance!

 

[Mike8393]

Could there be a problem installing a 3 spd tilt column in a 4 spd with a 700R4 tranny?

 

[Ricko1966]

You need to fix the detent problem in the column. You are using a columnn meant for RPND21 with a transmission that wants PRND321 If the transmission is not fully in the correct gears,due to the column I'd expect damage soon.

 

[Mike8393]

Does that entail changing the shift tube to a correct 4 speed unit?

 

[Ricko1966]

Does that entail changing the shift tube to a correct 4 speed unit?

No it's 2 Phillips screws,

 

[Mike8393]

I don't understand. Mine is a tilt column. It doesn't have the detent plate. Is there something else in there that needs to be removed or replaced?

 

[Ricko1966]

They all have a detent plate it's what keeps you from being able to shift into reverse or neutral ,keeps it from slipping out of park. There's one in there for sure. Try loosening the linkage lock bolt and moving the shifter while it's not moving the transmission selector shaft see if the shifter moves freely from neutral to 1 with no notches. If it does then I'd try putting the shifter in neutral and the shifter in neutral then tighten the lock bolt. I think that will get you PRND32 you'll probably lose 1. If you can feel notches in the shifter you should change the detent. The detents are not the same every year so another persons comment of all I did was swap columns,may or may not compare to you.I do not know by yearbthe different setups,but you do have a shifter detent.

I don't understand. Mine is a tilt column. It doesn't have the detent plate. Is there something else in there that needs to be removed or replaced?

 

[V30crewcab]

the columns are the same for 3 or 4 speed. the difference is made up with the linkage ratio on the trans piece.

 

[Mike8393]

Can you explain what you mean by the linkage ratio on the trans piece? I do have two different pieces that go between the frame and the transmission. One of them has about a 2 3/4" throw on it and the other is 3". Could one be for a 3 spd and the other for a 4 spd? I've tried both of them and the shifter still does not lock. I need to understand what's in the steering column that locks the shifter when the key is in off/lock mode. The steering wheel locks fine but the shifter does not.

 

[bucket]

Can you explain what you mean by the linkage ratio on the trans piece? I do have two different pieces that go between the frame and the transmission. One of them has about a 2 3/4" throw on it and the other is 3". Could one be for a 3 spd and the other for a 4 spd? I've tried both of them and the shifter still does not lock. I need to understand what's in the steering column that locks the shifter when the key is in off/lock mode. The steering wheel locks fine but the shifter does not.

When you put the shifter up into park, does it not spring forward (like, towards the front of the truck)? Can it move fore/aft at all when in the park position?

 

[xm20k]

Can you explain what you mean by the linkage ratio on the trans piece? I do have two different pieces that go between the frame and the transmission. One of them has about a 2 3/4" throw on it and the other is 3". Could one be for a 3 spd and the other for a 4 spd? I've tried both of them and the shifter still does not lock. I need to understand what's in the steering column that locks the shifter when the key is in off/lock mode. The steering wheel locks fine but the shifter does not.

It is in the column itself above the shift bowl/under the key switch area. The plate with the 2 Phillips screws.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Mike8393]

Yes, the shifter acts like it should. The spring is strong and the shifter moves well through all the gears except first gear because of the 4-spd tranny and the 3 spd column, of which I can live with. The truck holds well in Park and rolls well in neutral.

 

[molus]

Does the tilt column give you more room between the seat and steering wheel? Interested in doing this conversion myself.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Does the tilt column give you more room between the seat and steering wheel? Interested in doing this conversion myself.

i think you can get aftermarket wheels that are "flatter" that would help that department if you dont need it tilted

 

[Mike8393]

Yes, the column is great in that regard. It gives you plenty of room to move around. Just so you know, you need to change the intermediate shaft if you're going with a 78 or older column that has the spline instead of the bolt. Everything else bolts up and wires up just the same. Mine is an 83 K10 Stepside.