tilt steering column for a 68 F-body

[68 firehawk]

Can anyone help point me in the right direction for a tilt steering column? I don't think this should effect it or not but I’m going to be purchasing DSE's new sub frame once it comes out. It's rumored to have rack and pinion but i don't think this should make a difference on what column I put in

[gc67]

I was thinking about the flaming river column for my 67 camaro. Don't have any experience with it though

[MuscleRodz]

Ididit makes several models as well.

Mike

[Cruiser]

I have seen the flaming river stuff and it looks good. Can't say much else though.........sorry.

Joe

[nancejd]

I've heard that with one of the manufactures, you can't use the lower column shroud anymore on the F-bod, don't remmeber which one though. Maybe somebody else can chime in here.

[68 firehawk]

Well that gives me a much better idea where to go and where to look. Thanks A-lot guys

[Steve Chryssos]

I have the Flaming River column and cradle. It's true. The column does not have provisions to accept the stock cradle which in turn accepts the stock trim covers. Doesn't look bad by any means. But doesn't look "factory" either.
So the Flaming River column cradle is machined out of aluminum and slides over the two rear-most studs that hang down from the dash (closest to the driver). The single forward stud on to the right of the column (under the dash) is unused. The factory cradle ordinarily bolts to the column. There are no such bolt holes on the Flaming River column. You may want to inquire as to whether the Ididit column has provisions for the stock cradle.

And you are right. The column can be adapted to any subframe or steering setup with the right U-joints and steerig shaft.

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

Ididit does have what they call retro-fit steering columns. They say they do use all of the factory hardware. I have been looking at these also. Have not seen any in person but have heard they look nice. Here's their site.

http://www.ididitinc.com/

[Salt Racer]

If you don't mind doing some cutting and welding, columns from late model cars are nice also.

I swapped in a '95-ish F-body column in my '65 Buick. It's nice to have wiper and hi/lo beam swith near the steering wheel, and the whole thing is slightly lighter than the original one. Wiring took some figuring out. I lost wiper high speed (low speed works), but I'm planning to swap in a late model 7-sp wiper motor down the road. And I have a provision to install cruise control if I ever feel like doing so.

Total cost was about $55 ($35 for the column at swap meet, $10 for GM Pack-con & Metri-pak connectors at a junk yard, the rest is for shrink tubes and connectors).

Be sure to check that a column hasn't been collapsed due to wreck (steering wheel can be swapped).

[derekf]

I hadn't ever thought about a swap like that, mostly because the diameter of the stock 65 column seems so much smaller than the later ones - what cutting and welding was actually required? I'd expect the end of the shaft near the box would need to be modified, and I guess the dash would need a larger opening to match the larger column diameter, but what else?

Got pics of the swap?