Steering column question???

[hickchemistry07]

Hey guys let me first say what an awesome sight this is!!! I've been reading on here for a long time, but never posted anything till now, so here goes. I have a '71 LWB Custom that is pretty much stock, no PS, no PB, just a 302. I want to put power steering on it and have a '70 parts truck with PS. But the truck was originally a 3 on the tree that was converted to auto in the floor. My question is can I use the PS column and put my nonPS shifting shaft and collar in it? If so, has anyone ever done it? I don't want to start cutting holes in my floor for an automatic shifter(the thought of a cutting wheel close to my truck makes me shiver, LOL!!)
Anyways, any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

[fordman]

i dont think you can no. because the outer hull of the steering columns are different enough that i dont think you can put the guts of the auto column into the 3spd column outer tube. i think the shifter hole might be off just enough that it might not work. i wll do some reasearch further on this and try and get back with you to see if this is possible. the only other thing i think you might be able to do is to remove just the center shaft from both columns and use the short ps shaft in your auto column. that seems more fesable and would be easier to do.

[kaptnkaos]

I'm not sure about doing that either...

Let me make sure I understand you right...
yer wanting to covert back to 3 on the tree and upgrade to PS as well.
I'm not sure what the difference is.
Read the tech article about doing the swap.
Column housings other than power steering ones and ones for trucks with a 4-speed need to be shortened.
You would probably be money ahead and have a lot less trouble coverting it over. If you just stay with the floor shifter
If you want a nice clean install, you can always pick up column from a truck with a 4-speed and swap the center shaft from your PS auto column into it (instead of cutting and shortening the manual steering shaft).

I am nearly positive that all of the column tubes themselves are the same diameter. I think where the problem is the length and how they are cut out for each application. If yer handy with a cutter and welder and have an actual 3 speed colum it would be pretty easy to modify it to work...

KaptnKA S

[fordman]

no he wants to have power steering and keep the automatic. i think changing out the center shafts is the way to go.

[hickchemistry07]

Yes fordman you are correct about what i'm trying to do. I really didn't think I'd get lucky enough to use the two to make one auto on the column
PS combo. But thanks so much for everybodys help. Guess I'll just hit the local junkyard and see if I can find one. You wouldn't have an extra laying around would ya?

[fordman]

all i have is what you would have the outer column hoousing. i dont have a power steering inner shaft fo it.

[hickchemistry07]

Oh well thanks anyway. I couldn't help myself, had to post a pic of
"Ole Blue". Man I love that truck!!

[kaptnkaos]

Hey hickchemistry07

This is what threw me...

"My question is can I use the PS column and put my nonPS shifting shaft and collar in it?"

Why would you need to do this?
Your post says it was converted to an auto on the floor from a 3 in the tree.
If there's no hole in the tranny cover for the shifter to come through, how you you shift it now?

KaptnKA S

[hickchemistry07]

Read closer Kaptan the 70 PS(original 3 on tree) 'parts' truck was converted to floor shift, not my daily driver non PS 71. Theres no way I'm butchering it up for a floor shift. But thanks for your help.

[kaptnkaos]

Yeah hickchemistry07...

I missed that part...
I thought it was yer driver that got switched...
Your driver is an auto and you wanna upgrade to power steering and keep the auto shifter on the column...
If you have a column shift auto W/MS you can either shorten both the center shaft and column or replace it...
If that's the case, the easiest (best) way would be to swap columns for the right one.
The other option is using a Bendix P/S box, but you really don't wanna do that even if it is the easiest.

KaptnKA S

[uboughtwhat?]

hickchemistry07,

Let me make sure I have this right--

You have a power steering column from a 3 on the tree
you need a power steering column from an automatic

I happen to have a power steering column for an automatic. I am staying with the manual tranny so I was going to take the automatic stuff off this column and use it when I change to power steering. My column may have different configurations on the plugs since mine is for a 68.

I really have been agonizing over this since I don't want to dismantle a perfectly good column. If you would be interested in a swap please pm me.

Thanks,

Jeff

[theskytoucher]

you should be able to just pull the actual colum and slide it into your auto housing and everything work correctly!!!