Not sure if this has been covered but searched and didn't find anything. Has anybody installed a tilt column? If so what did you use (from a specific car or was it aftermarket)?
It looks like our new member, BAKER53, used an Impala or Chevelle column in his Victoria...at least that's what his steering wheel is from. Hopefully he'll chime in here and make some suggestions. You might PM him just in case he misses this post. In my opinion the Chevelle wheel works very well with his vintage interior. It took me a while before I noticed it, so it blends in very well with his theme... Take a look at the photos he posted for a better look.
I used a tilt column from a Chevy van. The type that does not have the ignition key on the column. The steering wheel is from a 64 Impala and I inserted the 50th anniversary Ford 1953 medallion in the center replacing the original Impala logo.
What, if anything, did you have to modify on the van column to make it work? Do you remember what year roughly van you used?
Not sure of the year, but I think it was in the mid 80's era. The only mods to the column itself was to cut off and fill the area where the shifter handle was installed. I then had to purchase a steering u-joint which was splined on one end and double D on the other to mate up to the GM steering box that I am using.
Your wagon is looking real good 4t6ford. Did you do any mods to the tbird column, will it mate right up to the stock steering box and all? I saw your pics, have you installed the dash back since adding this column, fit ok?
Tbird column is basically stock . I made a plate to fit the stock hole in the '55 floor and then welded that to the bottom mount for the tbird column (unbolts off column also) and the top mount is made from strap steel and rosette welded to the column housing. Yes have had the dash ***embly in (is back out for paint at present). If you wanted to mate it back to your stock steering box you would need to cut your original inner column off at the box and have it splined to suit the tbird lower joint. I adapted in a power steer box from an '80s Australian ***embled fairlane ( Would think '70-'73 Mustang box would be the LHD twin to this box?) .
Here is some good info with pictures as Ford Falcons also used the dreaded "spear" column too this info should work on our Fords too,so check it out ! www.fordfalcon2000.com/restoration/tiltcolumn.htm also take a look at the power steering and power brake swap for "bang for the buck'' ideas.
what about a column drop of maybe 2". what would need to be done? remount the angle of the steering box? u-joint? it would be nice to lower my wheel a little on my 53 without re-engineering the entire setup?
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