Tilt column swap Q's

[FallGuy86]

Hey guys, I searched around here and the web and can't find my answers..

I've got an '86 K30 manual trans and am about to purchase a tilt column out of a '90 burb to try and swap into the truck.

Will it fit? Am I going to run in to any problems trying to put a column from an automatic into the manual truck? Anything I should make sure to grab while I'm pulling the column from the burb?

Thanks in advance for any info~

 

[frankin5]

Only problem is the neutral safety switch and the fact that it will have a shift lever.

 

[FallGuy86]

Only problem is the neutral safety switch and the fact that it will have a shift lever.

Hmm, I wonder if that's an easy fix to disable the neutral switch. I think the shift indicator is just a collar and shifter and can be removed, no?

 

[6872xtc]

Hmm, I wonder if that's an easy fix to disable the neutral switch. I think the shift indicator is just a collar and shifter and can be removed, no?

You won't have to worry about the neutral safety switch because you won't be using the auto trans shifter, so you shouldn't be plugging into the switch. You can pull the shift lever off by removing the pin. It's up to you if you want it to look factory correct by doing more to it. The indicator is in the cluster, so no worries there.

 

[FallGuy86]

You won't have to worry about the neutral safety switch because you won't be using the auto trans shifter, so you shouldn't be plugging into the switch. You can pull the shift lever off by removing the pin. It's up to you if you want it to look factory correct by doing more to it. The indicator is in the cluster, so no worries there.

Ok, thanks.
I told him I was researching it. I figure $60 for everything but the steering wheel is cheap enough if it didn't work I could sell to someone who can use it.

 

[ZooMad75]

Should swap right in. You won't have the plugs in your factory manual trans truck for the neutral safety switch so nothing will be plugged into it. I would suggest to wire the shift linkage arm on the end of the column (under the hood) to one of the mount bolts. This way the shift collar can't rotate and keep you from shutting the truck off.

 

[FallGuy86]

Should swap right in. You won't have the plugs in your factory manual trans truck for the neutral safety switch so nothing will be plugged into it. I would suggest to wire the shift linkage arm on the end of the column (under the hood) to one of the mount bolts. This way the shift collar can't rotate and keep you from shutting the truck off.

Good info, I'll keep that in mind when I try to install. Thx

 

[Shawn]

I swapped mine in my M1008 but it was auto to auto. It was nice to get the delayed wipers and tilt. Might consider swapping the rag joint for an XJ shaft at the same time.

 

[FallGuy86]

I swapped mine in my M1008 but it was auto to auto. It was nice to get the delayed wipers and tilt. Might consider swapping the rag joint for an XJ shaft at the same time.

I was wondering if I'd have problems going from non delay to delayed wipers, that's good, if I read that right..

 

[frankin5]

The delay requires the right stalk in column and the module that plugs in line under dash.

 

[k2mslskier]

I recently tried the XJ swap. Didn’t work. The XJ shaft I got is just a tad too small. Couldn’t get it onto my stock 76 steering box. Maybe I did it wrong.

 

[6872xtc]

I recently tried the XJ swap. Didn’t work. The XJ shaft I got is just a tad too small. Couldn’t get it onto my stock 76 steering box. Maybe I did it wrong.

I think that the shaft size on our trucks changed in '78, so that should be why yours didn't work.

The wire harness plug for the wipers is the same on the truck side so that either version of controllers will interchange. Just unplug the standard switch under the dash, and plug into the pulse module for the delay wipers. But as stated, your column has to have the correct control switch in it.

 

[Shawn]

You need to make sure you get the delay box for the wiper delay. Pretty much plug and play.

On the xj shaft I thought it fits all 73 and newer trucks but maybe not. I assumed the column and steering box was the same size on all years.

 

[FallGuy86]

The wire harness plug for the wipers is the same on the truck side so that either version of controllers will interchange. Just unplug the standard switch under the dash, and plug into the pulse module for the delay wipers. But as stated, your column has to have the correct control switch in it.

You need to make sure you get the delay box for the wiper delay. Pretty much plug and play.

Thx for the input.. I stopped on the way to work tonight and grabbed the column. Looked good in the cold and dark. He said he had a bunch more parts if/when I needed them so I'm pretty sure I could get the delay box. I'll pull the column out when I get home and take A better look in the light..

 

[diesel4me]

Some of the 73-80 trucks had a different steering shaft--some had the square "D" style at the colum end,---others (4x4's only ?) had a large splined end for the coupling at the colum..also some of the steering box input splines were different sizes..there was a "big" and "smaller" version.

I learned this the hard way when the rag joint failed on a 4x4 truck I had that originally was a K1500 ,74 vintage,but someone before me had swapped a lot of parts off an '85 to it including the 8 lug axles,doors,and a 2wd cab onto it..took 3 trips to a salvage yard and three shafts to assemble one that had the correct ends at each end of the shaft..

I think after 1980 or so when GM switched to metric flare o ring fittings on the steering boxes they stayed the same as many other vehicles that used Saginaw steering boxes,and were compatible with the Jeep shafts and u-joint style ,instead of the rag joints GM kept using till '87..

 

[FallGuy86]

took 3 trips to a salvage yard and three shafts to assemble one that had the correct ends at each end of the shaft..

sounds like my luck.. hopefully this is an easy swap.

 

[FallGuy86]

Well.. maybe I got the delay box? I'll have to study up, I've never had a column out. The stalk may not be so great noticing the tape on it..

 

[frankin5]

That is the delay module.

 

[6872xtc]

Yes, you got the delay module. Looks like a good deal for $60, especially if the module is good. I would take the tape off and verify the operation of the multiple steps on the wiper switch. That lever will pull out of the switch, the cruise control wires will be the limiting factor to swapping a new one on.

 

[nvrenuf]

If you're going to replace the turn signal arm, now is the easiest time to do it because you have to fish the cruise wire through the column. When you do it, pull the stalk and cut the wire there then use the old wire to pull the new wire through the column passage.