Tilt column How to install
 

Some big secret ??
why is it when someone asks what needs to be done to install a chevy van tilt column in there truck no one will give a straight answer ? Please dont bash me, The thing is I have seen the question asked in here several times and it has not been answered or did I miss it in one of the posts cuz my eyes where burning from reading so much... lol I would like to know how myself. Thanks

Move the neutral safety switch - see FAQ section for a good article with directions

Collapse the intermediate shaft as needed to connect the new column to the box. If you need, I have a picture I took of this part of the conversion.

You may need a horseshoe to flat wiring adapter plug for the turn signal wiring. If so, it's dealer item for under 10 bucks.

It's basically a 2 hour job. I've done it several times.

I believe that installing a van tilt is actually two questions. The first one involves prepping the column for installation. Once the column is prepped
and the steering shaft extension is adjusted, it is a fairly routine swap out.

If we are to help you, I think that we need to know if the column has been prepped or not. There has been a lot of posts on the subject but no one minds helping you through this.

Has your column been prepped for installation?

Jim

Column removal for tilt replacement


1 remove 2 nuts at rag joint just above power steering box

2 loosen tranny shift rod nut and pull shift rod down and out of retainer
I always spray a squirt of black paint in that area so when I remove and replace I can see where it was attached before
3 remove 2 bolts in firewall from column support plate
4 loosen and remove the bolt on the retaining ring clamping column to support plate

In Cab parts
(optional remove steering wheel for more clearance when pulling colmun from truck)
5 remove 2 small bolts holding the boot retaining ring to firewall
6 disconnct the 2 set of wires at nuetral saftey switch
7 reach up in under dash bezel and remove the 1 bulb with the fiber optic cable and let it hang down
8 pull the wire harness connector just under steering column apart

9 remove 2 screws holding the column grommet retaining plate
10 remove 4 bolts on column support plate under dash
11 remove 2 bolts up under dash holding the column support strap
12 slowly pull the whole steering column towards you slowly working the whole column up and out
13 may have to check the intermediate shaft as it will hang up on the inner fender if it isn't turned just right
14 also may have to tip and twist colmun alittle for the tranny shift lever to clear firewall hole. That is where the sterring wheel removal makes job easier
15 Remove whole sterring colomun and intermediate shaft from truck

16 disconnct intermediate shaft from old column
17 collapse intermediate shaft

follow faqs for column prep (1.neutral saftey relocation 2. neutral saftey rewire)
18 reattach intermediate shaft to new column
may need to slice the 2 grommets to attach to new column or some say you can bend tranny lever and slip them over
I sliced boot and grommet and then cut retaining ring so it would go on new column
20 reverse removal steps to install
21 add adapter for wire harness

neutral saftey faq
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=63328

neutral saftey rewire
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...neutral+safety

anything I forgot please feel free to add

The only mods for the column are:
Collapse the intermediate shaft
neutral saftey relocate
neutral saftey wires
wire harness adapter
swap grommets and grommet ring
If you have all those done then get that thing in there and start tilting away!!

DOn't forget you can move the column closer to the dash about 2-3 inches if you want.I did and it's a lot more comfy;)

so how exactly are you guys collapsing the shaft? Does it have to be done on a vise or can it be done in the truck? I would love to move the colum a few inches closer to the dash...

Pretty sure you will have to remove from truck.
I have put 6 of the van tilts in now and of those I could not get 2 of the intermediate shafts to collapse. Had to use other ones. You can drill out the 4 plastic pins (2 each side) you can see them in the pic as the 2 white dots half way down the shaft . Some have collapsed without removing the pins. Need to put it upright on the concrete floor and wack the end of it. I also sprayed with pb blaster so that when it started to move it moved easier. I also stuck a long bolt in the inside and wacked it back out further and then back in again a few times till it would adjust with very little pressure. This is kind of important as once you get it back in the truck you will want it to slide back a forth in size till you get it just where you want it in lenght. As this will regulate how close the steering column sticks out towards you.

Solver.....Just checking to see if this shaft has been collapsed ? I will be putting it all back together this week and wanted to make sure.

Thanks,
Bret

Harvey can't tell from pic but you need to be able to slide part 1 into and out of part 2 so once installed it will adjust. Doesn't need to be real loose just enough to be able to pull it couple of inches each direction by hand

anybody know how much longer the steering shaft of a van tilt is than a regular truck tilt???
i'm curious to know. - well that is all i really want to know about this swap out. i know the van will fit i just want to know how much longer the shaft is.

Thanks

Van Tilt
 

The shaft sticks out 2 1/2 inches more than the truck shaft.

Measured them both last night.
TRUCK COLUMN: 1 15/16" (let's just call it 2" and be done)
VAN COLUMN: 4 3/8"

So, if we call that 2" for the truck and 4.5" for the van, then Bob is correct at 2.5" longer for the van.

72-early82 van columns. with the earlier years you dont need the horse shoe to straight adapter, but the later years auto shifter lever is shorter

The amount of diference the length the van column shaft sticks out doesn't seem like much, but if you try to put it together without adjusting the length it's amazing how Un-drivable the truck will be. I don't likely have to explain how I know this....

Can you move a regular truck shaft(non tilt) closer also or is it just for tilts and van colums?

I moved mine closer and it is not a tilt. Helped alot!

Van tilt
 

Ok-maybe I missed it---what years vans will fit my 69 step?

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