1970 Project Build

[Johnnyfever]

I stopped by the local NAPA this morning (which is in a store that's at least 100 years old) to pick up new bumper bolts for my new bumper which was another great deal from auto metal direct. While there I picked up a box of 15 alignment shims and they are probably from the 1950's. This box is old. As soon as I made it back I had to assemble the interior. I like the new creature comfort look and feel. Integrated cup holders in the center seat, fold down console, and integrated seat belts all make it feel like a new truck. Not to mention how comfortable the seats out of late model (1999-2006) chevys are.

[Johnnyfever]

Ok, it's been a while since I've been here. I took a month and a half away from the truck. Decided to try something that not too many people have tried. Modifying an S10 tilt steering column to fit. I'm not 100% sure this will work, but I'm trying to make it work. I plan on shaving the key hole since I think it belongs on the dash in these trucks. That means losing the steering wheel lock and a few other things in the column. First was to remove the flange where it attached to the junkyard donor truck floor and then start dis assembly.

[Johnnyfever]

A little more dis assembly and a few parts that need to be tossed. Just the key hole part and the steering lock pin.

[Johnnyfever]

And on to the process of shaving the key hole. First I removed the key hole lip with a hack saw. Then sanded it down smooth, filled it with a scrap piece of sheet metal steel cut to fit, and then the JB Weld. The next step was Rage Gold. This project might be a little strange, but I wanted to give it a try.

[Johnnyfever]

Then I smoothed it all out, primed it, and next is the coat of semi-gloss.

[Johnnyfever]

I almost forgot that I received my billet radio plate from mahanian. Looks great. My dash is already cut in strange places around the radio knob holes so this will dress it up nicely.

[Johnnyfever]

Purist don't look! I didn't modify the truck only the column. S-10 column installed and I'll be installing the power steering pump/box tomorrow - of course football will get in the way at some point, but we all have our priorities. The column modification and install was pretty simple and I like the look, especially with the ignition key shaved.

[bonnieclyde100]

what year s-10 did it come from?

[Johnnyfever]

It's out of a '92, but all of them are pretty much the same. The full size trucks from that era are all the same too, but may be slightly longer, but I'm not 100% sure.

[Johnnyfever]

I installed the power steering box today and took the rest of the bed apart. Now I have to hammer the bed floor and bed wheel wells out and get started on the bed body work.

[67c10rustbuket]

I dig the column swap. Nice!

[Johnnyfever]

Today I picked up an intermediate shaft from a 1997 tahoe since the old 1970 and 1972 parts wouldn't work. I used the entire setup, splines connection, rag joint, and all......bolted right to the 1972 steering box, into the 1992 S10 steering column, and works like a charm. Tomorrow I'm hooking up the pump and testing this thing out.

[bonnieclyde100]

thats cool i cant wait to see if it works. how does the column length compare to your original ? will the steering wheel be the same distance from you or is there more room between you and it?

[Johnnyfever]

Originally Posted by bonnieclyde100

thats cool i cant wait to see if it works. how does the column length compare to your original ? will the steering wheel be the same distance from you or is there more room between you and it?

It's all in and done and I took if for a 2 mile ride - with POWER STEERING! It shifts into gears better than ever with the S10 column. The tilt makes it much nicer getting in and out. The only issue that I see with using the S10 column is those trucks are made with the seating much lower in the cab of the pickup and the extra clearance gained when raising my steering all of the way up from "drive" position is about 3" - 3.5". This works great for me, but it's not as much clearance as the original tilts. I like my upgrade more, but hey, it's MINE! And to answer your other question, the steering wheel is about the same distance from the dash and seat as the original - within an half inch. I could have moved it a little closer or farther away if needed.

[bonnieclyde100]

Originally Posted by Johnnyfever

It's all in and done and I took if for a 2 mile ride - with POWER STEERING! It shifts into gears better than ever with the S10 column. The tilt makes it much nicer getting in and out. The only issue that I see with using the S10 column is those trucks are made with the seating much lower in the cab of the pickup and the extra clearance gained when raising my steering all of the way up from "drive" position is about 3" - 3.5". This works great for me, but it's not as much clearance as the original tilts. I like my upgrade more, but hey, it's MINE! And to answer your other question, the steering wheel is about the same distance from the dash and seat as the original - within an half inch. I could have moved it a little closer or farther away if needed.

thanks now i have more options besides spending almost 1000 dollars on a column and intermediate shaft

[Johnnyfever]

I figured I would show a few pics of my 2 mile drive. Well at least the start and finish. Granny came along for the trip. Her only issue was there wasn't a window and it's "messin' my hair up".

[bonnieclyde100]

well i went to the junk yard today and got my column from a s10 blazer from the early ninetys. and two intermediate shaft to see which one i like better.

[Johnnyfever]

Are you keeping the key or shaving it? Let me know if you need any additional pics.

[bonnieclyde100]

Originally Posted by Johnnyfever

Are you keeping the key or shaving it? Let me know if you need any additional pics.

not sure wheather to keep they key or not. they look better in the dash but there is added security with it in the column and steering lock also. were you able to use the s10 nuetral safety switch as is or did you have to modify it?also any ideas on a gear indicator on the column to know what gear you are in? also were you able to use your stock seal and retainer from the firewall? i could use a picture of the column under the dash exiting the the firewall.

[Johnnyfever]

Here are a few more pics of the column install on the engine side of the firewall....this is before I cleaned everything up and painted it all. I used a small diameter brake booster to give more room for the shift lever on the column. If you have the original type standoff bracket then I don't think it's an issue.

[Johnnyfever]

And now I'm getting the bed floor fitted and straightened. There are a few more pinholes in the floor than I had hoped. I'm in the market for some corrugated repop sheet metal. I'll have to visit my friends at AutoMetalDirect ASAP!

[bonnieclyde100]

are you going to try to come up with some kind of gear indicator for the column?

[Johnnyfever]

I am modifying an indicator to work on this column. It will have to attach to the rigid section of the column behind the rotating shifting portion and extend over the shift rotating collar portion. The indicator will be mounted on that rotating portion and be visible behind the glass. I plan to use a low light LED to light it up.

[bonnieclyde100]

well i guess it doesnt matter whether or not i want to keep the key in the column because i cant use it or the high beam switch because the rods used to make them work would be trapped between the column and the dash when i mount the column in the truck so i guess i will be loosing both. it would have been nice to at least keep the high beam switch.

[bonnieclyde100]

well i finally got my s10 column mounted in my truck.