1974 steering column change out!

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Burkee1483

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I’m trying to find a complete list of what I need to purchase to change out my column.

Currently it’s a 74 column shift manual. Previous own has changed it to floor shift

Went to take the steering wheel off to replace the ignition and opened a can of worms

Someone impacted the steering wheel nut on and it’s stripped and just spins.

I found a 30in tilt on CJpony parts I want to buy for the truck.

What else needs to be changed to make this happen? Is there any mounts etc does the cuppler to the steering shaft need to be changed?

Kinda at a loss here as it’s legit the first thing I’ve cracked into trying to refresh the truck and un do all the previous owners hacks!

column I want to buy:

I’ve looked thru the archives of previous post about columns and a lot of the links are dead

Any help and patience’s with my N0obness would be greatly appreciated lol
 

legopnuematic

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The one you have linked will, or should physically mount into the truck, however I do not agree with the listing of applications 1973-1983 as 73-76 (maybe 77?) use a splined connection at the column to steering shaft, the later trucks use the double D shaft coupling. So 77-83 would be more accurate.

If you plan on using an aftermarket steering shaft like a Borgeson, you should be able to use one for say a 78.

Electrically, things should be good to go, GMs from 1973+ used a lot of the same columns and parts interchange generally to a high degree.

It doesn’t appear [the column] to have any mounting hardware like a stock column, although it might be that way for adjustability? Doesn’t seem to spill the beans on wether or not it comes with bracketry.
 

Burkee1483

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The one you have linked will, or should physically mount into the truck, however I do not agree with the listing of applications 1973-1983 as 73-76 (maybe 77?) use a splined connection at the column to steering shaft, the later trucks use the double D shaft coupling. So 77-83 would be more accurate.

If you plan on using an aftermarket steering shaft like a Borgeson, you should be able to use one for say a 78.

Electrically, things should be good to go, GMs from 1973+ used a lot of the same columns and parts interchange generally to a high degree.

It doesn’t appear [the column] to have any mounting hardware like a stock column, although it might be that way for adjustability? Doesn’t seem to spill the beans on wether or not it comes with bracketry.
That’s where I’m at with it. I’m going in dumb. So I’m like ok and then…what else do I need lol everything listed “bought with this” shows the DD shaft coupling.

I figured people here would know better before I’m elbows deep in ordering the wrong parts!
 

Burkee1483

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The one you have linked will, or should physically mount into the truck, however I do not agree with the listing of applications 1973-1983 as 73-76 (maybe 77?) use a splined connection at the column to steering shaft, the later trucks use the double D shaft coupling. So 77-83 would be more accurate.

If you plan on using an aftermarket steering shaft like a Borgeson, you should be able to use one for say a 78.

Electrically, things should be good to go, GMs from 1973+ used a lot of the same columns and parts interchange generally to a high degree.

It doesn’t appear [the column] to have any mounting hardware like a stock column, although it might be that way for adjustability? Doesn’t seem to spill the beans on wether or not it comes with bracketry.

While looking at steering shafts there’s so many different variables lol

 

ali_c20

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You can reuse the clamp and other mounting parts from the old column or get a new universal one.
For the shaft measure the diameter and count the splines on the steering box for the lower end, at the column you need the 1" DD. The couplers and shafts sold separately too. It's sometimes cheaper to buy not the assembled shaft. Get 1 coupler with vibration damping for more comfort.

The universal telescopic shaft is 1"DD at the column and 3/4"DD at the box.
I just looked up Borgeson parts, there are other makes out there.

Shaft (1"DD 3/4"DD):
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/brg-450024

Coupler at column (1"DD 1"DD):
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/brg-015252

Coupler at steering box with vibration damper (3/4"DD 3/4" 36splines):
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/brg-034934
Coupler at steering box withvibration damper (3/4"DD13/16" 36 splines):
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/brg-034940
 

xm20k

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My 78 had the 48 spline 1" output.

Used this shaft.

Also had to swap the plug as there are 2 lengths 4 1/8 and 3 7/8 bought this kit and used the shorter plug from it. The longer plug fits but the signal wires didn't line up.
 

SplitSsss

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I’m trying to find a complete list of what I need to purchase to change out my column.

Currently it’s a 74 column shift manual. Previous own has changed it to floor shift

Went to take the steering wheel off to replace the ignition and opened a can of worms

Someone impacted the steering wheel nut on and it’s stripped and just spins.

I found a 30in tilt on CJpony parts I want to buy for the truck.

What else needs to be changed to make this happen? Is there any mounts etc does the cuppler to the steering shaft need to be changed?

Kinda at a loss here as it’s legit the first thing I’ve cracked into trying to refresh the truck and un do all the previous owners hacks!

column I want to buy:

I’ve looked thru the archives of previous post about columns and a lot of the links are dead

Any help and patience’s with my N0obness would be greatly appreciated lol
I just did a major column swap GM Column into a Suzuki Samurai. GM Column has the 3/4DD. Nothing like the Samurai.
There are many U Joints that have DD and whatever the intermediate shaft has.
Post pics and I may be able to steer (see what I did there) you in the right direction.
 

Burkee1483

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I just did a major column swap GM Column into a Suzuki Samurai. GM Column has the 3/4DD. Nothing like the Samurai.
There are many U Joints that have DD and whatever the intermediate shaft has.
Post pics and I may be able to steer (see what I did there) you in the right direction.
I’ll be with the truck tomorrow. I’ll post some pics.

Side note I’m a sucker for a samurai. I’ve had 5 of em TDI swapped. 13b swapped. Gutless 1.3 with Weber and header etc etc etc I love those glorified quads! I need a tracker in my life with the 1.6 16v
 

bucket

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I just did a major column swap GM Column into a Suzuki Samurai. GM Column has the 3/4DD. Nothing like the Samurai.
There are many U Joints that have DD and whatever the intermediate shaft has.
Post pics and I may be able to steer (see what I did there) you in the right direction.

As @xm20k mentioned previously, the '78 and prior columns are a splined shaft and not the DD.
 

Burkee1483

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As @xm20k mentioned previously, the '78 and prior columns are a splined shaft and not the DD.
When I get to the shop today I’m gonna sit down and end up ordering a shorter aftermarket tilt column. The one I’m looking at as a 1in DD on the end of it. So to keep my manual steering I’ve read I need a 36 spline end

I’ve got a complete PS setup from an 86 c10 box pump everything needed.

Any one know if this will bolt onto my 74 and then I can get the 30 spline/ 3/4 coupler on the end of the borgeson shaft and 1in DD on the other to meet up to the after market column
 

Burkee1483

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So with a new column and not needing the column shift components am I able to just remove em?
 

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xm20k

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So with a new column and not needing the column shift components am I able to just remove em?
Unless I'm misunderstanding the question when you pull the old column, they come out with it. Those arms don't come off without pulling it out and tearing it down, but since you're putting a new unit in, they will remain in the old column once it's removed.'

The large, splined end has a bolt that passes thru a low spot in the splines pull it out completely, you may need to spin it over to see the gap so you can spread it out a touch to get it to slide off without a big fight. Also don't forget the two clamp bolts at the end of the column/firewall I've seen people overlook it as its often covered in grim.

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Burkee1483

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Just strip her down
 

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