Steering column with modern controls?

[jannes_z-28]

I wonder if anyone know where to find or how to modify a steering column that give me control of dimmer lights and various speed wipers.

It feel a little out of date with the controls that are present in my 69 Camaro, the only thing I can control from the steering column is the turn signal lights. I would like to have everything that a modern car has.

1. Dimmer of the lights together with the turn signal on the left side

2. Wiper control on the right side for the modern wipers like the one DSE has.

I know that ididit has some stuff that let you have some of these controls but not all at the same time.

Are there any other sources?


Jan

[Rhino]

I ended up shortening a 4th Gen F-body column about 3-4 inches, and adding the 1st gen bracketry to attach it to the dash. It was really simple to do. The turn signal, wipers, and dimmer are all on one stalk on the left side. If you're inclined, you can even find one with steering wheel audio controls :)
The internal diameter of the shaft is a hair over 3/4". I welded a short stub of 3/4" DD shaft to it to connect my steering gear. I got the idea from CamaroAJ, who's done a few of them this way.

You'll have to make a few wiring changes to make it all work, but I can provide a schematic of the original column if you go down that route.

[DEIGuy38]

search for the name birdsandbowties he builds columns with GM parts https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?75708-69-Camaro-69-72-Chevelle-Tilt-Columns-Freshly-Rebuilt&highlight=

[nekkidhillbilly]

what about a 66 down car?

[T_Raven]

I would think a 3rd gen fbody column would work better than a 4th gen and probably be closer to the right length and the controls are pretty much the same and 3rd gen columns have splined shafts. I haven't tried it yet though but I plan on it at some point.

[Rhino]

You're probably right about the 3rd gen column fitting better. I just happened to have a 4th gen column from the TA I parted out for my drivetrain.
With that said, I think you'd still have to shorten the 3rd gen column, which would get rid of your splines.

[T_Raven]

You're probably right about the 3rd gen column fitting better. I just happened to have a 4th gen column from the TA I parted out for my drivetrain.
With that said, I think you'd still have to shorten the 3rd gen column, which would get rid of your splines.

Yeah that could be true. I've got a 4th gen one from my donor and a 3rd gen TA so I'll have to measure both of those and the one in my 67 to see how long they all are.

[ProdigyCustoms]

We can do wiper control on the tilt lever and high beam on the turn signal with IDidIt.

[67CamNKC]

I ended up shortening a 4th Gen F-body column about 3-4 inches, and adding the 1st gen bracketry to attach it to the dash. It was really simple to do. The turn signal, wipers, and dimmer are all on one stalk on the left side. If you're inclined, you can even find one with steering wheel audio controls :)
The internal diameter of the shaft is a hair over 3/4". I welded a short stub of 3/4" DD shaft to it to connect my steering gear. I got the idea from CamaroAJ, who's done a few of them this way.

You'll have to make a few wiring changes to make it all work, but I can provide a schematic of the original column if you go down that route.


Ryan,

What steering wheel are you using with this setup? Can an aftermarket wheel be used? And what are you doing for an ignition key setup?

[Rhino]

I haven't really decided yet, but just about any aftermarket wheel can be made to work with a column adapter. For mockup I'm using the stock wheel.

Originally I wanted to keep the ignition on the dash, but once I got to looking into all the work involved I don't think it's worth moving it. I'm using the entire wiring harness from the '02 TA and will likely keep the stock TA ignition setup along with it's VATS system.

If you're interested in doing the same, let me know. It's really simple to do and the columns can be had for next to nothing.

[jannes_z-28]

We can do wiper control on the tilt lever and high beam on the turn signal with IDidIt.

But how do you do if you don't want tilt? I guess the tilt is still working on the setup you propose.

Jan

[ProdigyCustoms]

Yes the tilt is still working. I do not know of any non tilt column with the features you want.

[CamaroAJ]

if your handy with a welder and have some fab skill than the 4th gen column swap is simple.

[barno68]

The turn signal assembly from late 80s to early 90s GM columns can be installed on the 70s columns. There is a little bit of widening of the plastic cover required. This will move the dimmer up from the floor and give you wiper controls on the lever. The dimmer wiring hooks right up, but the wiper will take some modification.

[Rhino]

The wipers are another thing that's pretty cool about the modern column. With a little more fab and some wiring it's pretty easy to do an install similar to DSE's wiper unit.

[BonzoHansen]

The turn signal assembly from late 80s to early 90s GM columns can be installed on the 70s columns. There is a little bit of widening of the plastic cover required. This will move the dimmer up from the floor and give you wiper controls on the lever. The dimmer wiring hooks right up, but the wiper will take some modification.
I had that issue with my 82 TA. They changed the setup in 84 and I put an 85 column in my car. I had to rewire the wipers bit. So an 82-83 3rd gen column might have the same basic setup as older cars. I pretty sure my 82 had the same wiper motor my 77 has now. Whatever that info is worth.

[JRouche]

I have an 84 Pontiac steering column in my 62 nova. Love it. I also have a painless wiring harness. The plug from the painless harness plugged right in and I have all the functions of the column. Keyed ignition, high and low beams, turn sigs, and variable wiper controls, even the hazard button and horn. Simple swap. Along with a grant steering wheel. JR

[terrydmorgan]

The wipers are another thing that's pretty cool about the modern column. With a little more fab and some wiring it's pretty easy to do an install similar to DSE's wiper unit.


Can the wiper controls be modified to operate the DSE wiper unit? Also, how do you handle the VAT when installing in a first gen?

[wellis77]

We can do wiper control on the tilt lever and high beam on the turn signal with IDidIt.

Is it possible to get a column with these features PLUS cruise? Too much to ask...

[jannes_z-28]

Can the wiper controls be modified to operate the DSE wiper unit? Also, how do you handle the VAT when installing in a first gen?

That wouldn't be to much of a problem. I made my own control for the '01-'02 Camaro wiper motor, the same kind as DSE uses, and it would work with the wiper control from a Gen 3 steering column.

The VAT can be disabled in the ECM-unit.


Jan

[toxicz28]

That wouldn't be to much of a problem. I made my own control for the '01-'02 Camaro wiper motor, the same kind as DSE uses, and it would work with the wiper control from a Gen 3 steering column.

The VAT can be disabled in the ECM-unit.


Jan

You wouldn't happen to have a wiring schematic for this, would you? Trying to accomplish the same thing with a 3rd gen column and a DSE wiper motor. Any help would be appreciated.

[jannes_z-28]

Check my homepage, there is an instruction how to modify the wipermotor and a wiringdiagram on how to make a control. The 3rd gen steeringcolumn would connect to that I guess. I will do this later this year on my car and I will update the wiring then when I have everything in front of me.

Jan

[rossmacd]

We can do wiper control on the tilt lever and high beam on the turn signal with IDidIt.

Tell me more... I'm interested in this for sure; it's going in a Mustang though.