I've seen a traditional style colum that looks like a 40 column with a tilt mechanism. Any idea who makes these. I thought it was limeworks, but I was wrong. My dad's looking for one for his 35 roadster
I've seen it somehwhere--that or I'm totally crazy. I seem to recall there's a compartively small pivot knuckle at the top. not totally period in appearance, but way closer than the bulky standard late model tilts.
I have the same recollection, except what I remember was my 1988 Ford van. I recall that it had a pretty traditional looking steering column with tilt wheel. Take a look at 1980's Ford vans and pick-ups to see if there is anything that can be adapted. Since I don't really like the look of most of the aftermarket column offerings, I don't watch those and therefore have no idea if anyone offers the Ford style column in a build-friendly kit. I see UNKLEDADDY beat me with a link to an aftermarket column that looks quite good, imo.
This is out of an 80's van, works good for my '27 roadster. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I used one once out of a '68 Buick Elektra. Looked pretty good after it was cleaned up...and no key on the column.
I only recall seeing one in a roadster about 5 years ago at the weekly Friday night cruise in they have in downtown Escondido. As I recall the one I saw did not have the extension above the tilt and it just tilted at the pivot making it very clean. I think the Deuce Factory may have made the one I saw. This is a column that is made by Tri-C Engineering but they are expensive. http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/featuredvehicles/1303rc_tom_gloys_1932_ford_roadster/
Don't like the fat look of them,, Long ago,I saw a homemade set up that was clean with out the big bubble near the top,took note of how it worked,thinking I may need the idea some day. Here's what I sew,; There was a small U joint just above were it came through the floor[could of been top of steering box just under floor] covered nicely with a boot,the outer tube must of had a busching in the bottom,at were it p***ed the dash it had custom made adjustible column drop with a lever/screw nob to set hight by it all sliding up or down at that point,the steering wheel it's self did not tilt but it did all go up or down. And it was a nice clean job,wish I'd got a photo,but that was in a time everybody didn't have a dam phone that could take pics if they could get it unstuck from there ear!
Some of the early 60's GM units from the big cars look "OK". Those without the shifter or key. I despise the 73-87 style so many choose to use... To each their own.
If remember correctly, it was flaming river that made early Corvette-looking tilt. Some stock tilts that look good are Corvair (rare as hen's teeth and expensive) or 70's van tilts (no key).
Tri-C engineering makes a skinny tilt column. It still looks odd as it stil has a large bulb shape for the tilt mechanism.
http://www.tri-cengineering.com/Parts_by_Tri-CEngineering.html Not too crazy about the looks but if you gotta have tilt. HRP
I like this idea, all the tilt column stuff just flips the wheel. I would rather keep the plane of the wheel the same (or close) and move the whole top of the column towards (down) or away (up) from me. My late model Honda is this way, but it doesn't look period correct!
i did a tilt column for my 32 3W way back in 72 or so. It is a cut down Rivi. I used a coffee cup to make the transision to the 32 mast jacket. I even kept the 32 drop. The loose one is from a Buick special. I have no clue to year. I don't like the bulk but this is about as small as possible.
I have a real dumb question... beware, it´s really dumb...why would I want a tilt column? Maybe I need to be more precise... Why would I want to change the steering wheel position? I have the stock column in my 56, 62 Chevy, in my 34 Plymouth and the stock tilt columns in my 64 wildcat and 65 Rivi, but whatever car I drive I usually feel most comfortable with the steering wheel not tilted but straight. I do understand that it makes sense that short people can pull the wheel closer like it is possible in late model cars, but up and down doesn´t make any sense to me... I either have the wheel in my crotch or I´m truck driving... so why go through the h***le and odd looks of a tilt column? I just don´t get it
It's not a dumb question. The answer is simple: you don't want one. However, I almost always drive my cars with the wheels one click down from straight, mainly because I have really long legs but not really long arms. It's more comfortable to have the top of the wheel a bit closer to me. I put tilt in my '53 Chevy for that reason. Could I have just figured out a way to get the wheel at the exact position that would work best for me and put it there on a fixed column in the first place? Yes, Would my short-legged, big-bellied dad have been able to drive the car? No. Nor would anyone else with shorter legs and/or a thicker middle. That's why some of us want it, and why others don't care. If my legs were shorter I wouldn't care either.
Early Jaguar' s had a very small tilt, telescopic, really neat , but not affordable with my pay scale.
that tri-c unit may have been what I was thinking. thanks for all the thoughts--keep em coming guys. gonna google search the jag unit now. out of my pay grade too, but I can't image it's much more than a new stainless aftermarket unit by much. keep em coming
I made this out of a late 70s or early 80s Camaro. I had to plug the hole for the column key, all lock mechcanism was removed , and I made an adapter to mate the tilt mechcanism to a piece of 2" exhaust tubing. The tapered/ column drop could have been a bowl shape. Pictures coming.
Mid 60's GM A body's have a fairly small tilt column. Early 70's GM pick-ups do also, along with GM vans of same vintage. Mid some 60's Corvettes, Buick Riv's, and Caddy's even have telescopic-tilt. My 32 is channeled and the box is right under the cowl, the column is damn near straight up. With my short arms, I need tilt AND telescopic so I got an early Riv.
I think the 75 to 80 Ford van tilt columns do not have the ignition switch in it,I ran in to a couple and should have grabbed them as I could use one in my 66 f250.
Not sure who makes this one... Tom Gloy's 1932 Ford Roadster has what you are talking about.... I think. http://www.thehogring.com/2012/09/29/goodguys-names-2012-hot-rod-of-the-year/
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