van tilt help - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JimKshortstep4x4 · 12-23-2003, 03:14 PM

David,

Thanks for the chuckle!

good luck.

Jim

Alex Hayley · 12-23-2003, 03:28 PM

Jim, what do you do for your customers(if you use van tilts that is) when it comes to getting a shaft the correct length? Do you collapse the shaft, cut it or buy one the correct length?

griesel72 · 12-23-2003, 04:12 PM

got it, thanks for the help guys. Once again the board prevails.

griesel72 · 12-23-2003, 04:12 PM

again

*racedvl* · 12-23-2003, 05:35 PM

AWESOME!!!!!

**Yukon Jack** · 12-23-2003, 06:04 PM

Okay, since I'm doing the same thing shortly, let's idiot proof this - am I correct that I take off the van tilt column's part that is circled and then replace it with the corresponding part off of my old steering column?

griesel72 · 12-23-2003, 08:24 PM

Yeah, you have to undo the bolt that clamps that thing you circled and replace it with a "shortened" shaft that you got off your old column. (they failed to mention that in the article i read about this swap) I tried hitting it with a hammer, but got no response, so i put it in the press, and it worked good.

it's pretty easy, and if you have your seat out like me, it only took an hour, even with my waiting for help from the board.

Good luck
david

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 12-23-2003, 09:25 PM

I drilled the nylon rivets out on my collapseable shaft and it slid down pretty easy when hit with the hammer.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 12-23-2003, 10:39 PM

Alex,

I am not in the business even though I have done a lot of them.

I don't advocate cutting and welding on front end parts so I have been collapsing the shaft extension as Griesel did. I have run into a Van tilt in a motor home that has the shorter shaft in it. This was an 88 motor home.

When I do a tilt, I install the upper and lower column seals. Here is a pic of the upper part on one that I just finished up for my son.

Jim

wHATANERD · 01-01-2004, 09:02 AM

The Van column I installed in my truc also has the cruise control turn signal, don't cut the wires, that about a 100 part in the LMC catalog, I left mine in the column, and salvaged the cruise control equipment out of an 80 Oldsmobile and and put it to work, it is the same switch was was used on 1969 truck equiped with cruise

minibike · 01-30-2004, 10:25 PM

If you collapse the shaft, you are getting rid of a very important safety feature. I pulled mine apart, shortened it and reassembled, allowing the shaft to collapse in a collision. It was a little more difficult, but may keep it from going through my chest!

Longhorn Man · 01-30-2004, 10:32 PM

wHATANERD, the cruise switch you got is not the correct one if you are doing a correct resto. It is the one that you'll get from LMC, but it is not correct.
minibike, when you collapse the column, you are not doing it all the way...only an inch or two. There is still plenty of room for it to collapse.

Glen · 01-31-2004, 12:22 AM

If you pull the rag joint off you can convert to a splined U-joint.

*Tanker350* · 01-31-2004, 12:45 AM

Glen,

I'm doing the same thing you are doing with the u-joints and shaft. What Part #'s did you use and did you use Flamming River? I was gonna use # 1702 and 1703 for the u-joints, but not sure with shaft # to use. Thanks for any help you can give.

Glen · 01-31-2004, 12:52 AM

Sorry, I dont remember the part numbers. The joints are flaming river and I buy long pieces of their Double D shafts and cut them to length. Using a 50 cent dowl rod from Home depot is a good idea so you climb back in the cab and check comfort before cutting a steel shaft.

You can also cut the top off of the wifes broom handle, but I reccomend this only if it is late at night and home depot is closed.

wHATANERD · 01-31-2004, 02:04 AM

Longhorn Man, I believe the 1969, and 1970 models did use a cruise control button in the turn signal lever, however since this was a dealer installed, and not a factory install option in 1971, and 1972 models the familar cruise master button mounted under the steering coloumn was used since the steering coloumn did not have to be disassembled, and did not void the factory warrenty on the steering coloumn

Longhorn Man · 01-31-2004, 09:28 AM

Actually, in 71 and 72 they were assembly line installed, but they were just like the dealer installed units under dash...actually, i think that was for 72 only.
The switch, being described, (which I personally have in one of my trucke w/cruise) is not the correct switch. It is a later switch. You can find this common switch in many GM vehicles up into the early 80's. I should have kept the pic of the correct ont...but this isn't it.

wHATANERD · 01-31-2004, 01:18 PM

Evan if it's not the correct switch, it looks good, and is functional, If I was keeping the truck totally original I would be install a van tilt anyways. Thanks for the input

Longhorn Man · 02-01-2004, 02:36 AM

Quote:

If I was keeping the truck totally original I would be install a van tilt

Very good over looked point.
I just wanted to make sure you knew, WAY too many ppl see the part in LMC...and if LMC sells it, then it MUST be correct.

12-23-2003, 04:12 PM	#28
griesel72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Howard, Kansas USA Posts: 1,997	got it, thanks for the help guys. Once again the board prevails. Attached Images __________________ 1969 K10 Custom 10 1997 Z71 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2006 King Ranch 1980 Wife

12-23-2003, 04:12 PM	#29
griesel72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Howard, Kansas USA Posts: 1,997	again Attached Images __________________ 1969 K10 Custom 10 1997 Z71 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2006 King Ranch 1980 Wife

12-23-2003, 06:04 PM	#31
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	Okay, since I'm doing the same thing shortly, let's idiot proof this - am I correct that I take off the van tilt column's part that is circled and then replace it with the corresponding part off of my old steering column? Attached Images __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

12-23-2003, 08:24 PM	#32
griesel72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Howard, Kansas USA Posts: 1,997	Yeah, you have to undo the bolt that clamps that thing you circled and replace it with a "shortened" shaft that you got off your old column. (they failed to mention that in the article i read about this swap) I tried hitting it with a hammer, but got no response, so i put it in the press, and it worked good. it's pretty easy, and if you have your seat out like me, it only took an hour, even with my waiting for help from the board. Good luck david __________________ 1969 K10 Custom 10 1997 Z71 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2006 King Ranch 1980 Wife

12-23-2003, 09:25 PM	#33
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	I drilled the nylon rivets out on my collapseable shaft and it slid down pretty easy when hit with the hammer. __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

12-23-2003, 03:14 PM	#26
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	David, Thanks for the chuckle! good luck. Jim

12-23-2003, 03:28 PM	#27
Alex Hayley Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: NC Posts: 987	Jim, what do you do for your customers(if you use van tilts that is) when it comes to getting a shaft the correct length? Do you collapse the shaft, cut it or buy one the correct length?

12-23-2003, 05:35 PM	#30
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	AWESOME!!!!!

12-23-2003, 10:39 PM	#34
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Alex, I am not in the business even though I have done a lot of them. I don't advocate cutting and welding on front end parts so I have been collapsing the shaft extension as Griesel did. I have run into a Van tilt in a motor home that has the shorter shaft in it. This was an 88 motor home. When I do a tilt, I install the upper and lower column seals. Here is a pic of the upper part on one that I just finished up for my son. Jim Attached Images

01-01-2004, 09:02 AM	#35
wHATANERD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Uvalde, Tx Posts: 407	The Van column I installed in my truc also has the cruise control turn signal, don't cut the wires, that about a 100 part in the LMC catalog, I left mine in the column, and salvaged the cruise control equipment out of an 80 Oldsmobile and and put it to work, it is the same switch was was used on 1969 truck equiped with cruise __________________ 1969 C/10 Longbed undergoing rebuild. Old Chevy's Never Die, They Just Rust Around The Edges

01-30-2004, 10:25 PM	#36
minibike Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 500	If you collapse the shaft, you are getting rid of a very important safety feature. I pulled mine apart, shortened it and reassembled, allowing the shaft to collapse in a collision. It was a little more difficult, but may keep it from going through my chest! __________________ 69 SWB LT1/4L60E www.classicplace.com

01-30-2004, 10:32 PM	#37
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	wHATANERD, the cruise switch you got is not the correct one if you are doing a correct resto. It is the one that you'll get from LMC, but it is not correct. minibike, when you collapse the column, you are not doing it all the way...only an inch or two. There is still plenty of room for it to collapse.

01-31-2004, 12:22 AM	#38
Glen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 189	If you pull the rag joint off you can convert to a splined U-joint.

01-31-2004, 12:45 AM	#39
Tanker350 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Palm Desert, Ca Posts: 410	Glen Glen, I'm doing the same thing you are doing with the u-joints and shaft. What Part #'s did you use and did you use Flamming River? I was gonna use # 1702 and 1703 for the u-joints, but not sure with shaft # to use. Thanks for any help you can give.

01-31-2004, 12:52 AM	#40
Glen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 189	Sorry, I dont remember the part numbers. The joints are flaming river and I buy long pieces of their Double D shafts and cut them to length. Using a 50 cent dowl rod from Home depot is a good idea so you climb back in the cab and check comfort before cutting a steel shaft. You can also cut the top off of the wifes broom handle, but I reccomend this only if it is late at night and home depot is closed.



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01-31-2004, 02:04 AM	#41
wHATANERD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Uvalde, Tx Posts: 407	Cruise Control Button Longhorn Man, I believe the 1969, and 1970 models did use a cruise control button in the turn signal lever, however since this was a dealer installed, and not a factory install option in 1971, and 1972 models the familar cruise master button mounted under the steering coloumn was used since the steering coloumn did not have to be disassembled, and did not void the factory warrenty on the steering coloumn __________________ 1969 C/10 Longbed undergoing rebuild. Old Chevy's Never Die, They Just Rust Around The Edges

01-31-2004, 09:28 AM	#42
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Actually, in 71 and 72 they were assembly line installed, but they were just like the dealer installed units under dash...actually, i think that was for 72 only. The switch, being described, (which I personally have in one of my trucke w/cruise) is not the correct switch. It is a later switch. You can find this common switch in many GM vehicles up into the early 80's. I should have kept the pic of the correct ont...but this isn't it.

01-31-2004, 01:18 PM	#43
wHATANERD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Uvalde, Tx Posts: 407	Evan if it's not the correct switch, it looks good, and is functional, If I was keeping the truck totally original I would be install a van tilt anyways. Thanks for the input __________________ 1969 C/10 Longbed undergoing rebuild. Old Chevy's Never Die, They Just Rust Around The Edges

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