Van tilt columns
 

These things are all over ebay for cheaper than real truck ones. My question is how do you get the thing to bolt up to the steering box? I know that the output shaft on the bottom of a van tilt is bigger than on a truck, so what are you supposed to put on the bottom of these to make them bolt up?

Re: Van tilt columns
 

Check out these links to the truck tech FAQ. They will show you the way.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=1818810

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=133937

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=302488

Re: Van tilt columns
 

Easy install.......

Re: Van tilt columns
 

I've installed a bunch of these... never had an issue with size.
Shorten the intermidiate shaft... that's the only real mod needed.

Re: Van tilt columns
 

I am getting ready to pull the van tilt in my suburban out to do some work on it. The head is sloppy and has quite a bit of movement. For any one interested here is a link to the van tilt manual.

Re: Van tilt columns
 

Shorten intermediate shaft, reposition the neutral safety switch, purchase a harness conversion, replace the turn-tilt levers, the hazard button and the shift lever and no one will know the difference from the cab!

Re: Van tilt columns
 

I just picked up a van tilt on Screwbay For $100. I just realized that it was sold w/o the intermediate shaft? Can I use the intermediate shaft from my non tilt column. BTW, some of the the links used to describe the wiring and neutral safety relocate are no longer valid. I could not fond anything in the FAQ section... Another BTW, I go tan email that after Oct., Screwbay will no longer allow money orders or personal chacks as payment. Electronic payment only. Just a coincidence that they own Paypal now?

Re: Van tilt columns
 

I was scouring the local yards the last few weeks in search of the ever elusive VAN tilt with key on the dash. I have come across ALOT of the later model vans with the key on the column.Has anyone here transplanted one of these into a 67-72 truck? I was thinking if someone was going to go custom anyway, why not add some security by adding a locking column to your truck and filling the old keyhole in the dash?

Re: Van tilt columns
 

On the links posted by Arad68 there is a post with a link to http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...c10/index.html
and in the article I noticed they used an intermedate shaft from a 73-87 truck which answered that question for me.
I to would like to know about the neutral safty switch modification, I hadn't heard of it before.

Re: Van tilt columns
 

Early Chev van tilt columns are longer & the placement of their neutral safety switch binds off on the column support bracing on a truck thus you need to reposition this switch. Cut outer column with dremel -weld in a little tab--and re attach for clearnace.
The intermediate shaft is virtually identical between tilt and not tilt but you will need to shorten it for a van tilt. Drill out 2 plastic plugs (sand flat area of shaft to find them) then shorten the shaft by pressing it together.
Most van tilts have a flat connector for the wiring harness while trucks have a 1/2 moon connector. GM offers a conversion harness for this for about $12.
Van tilts typically sell for $100-200. while original truck tilts go for $250.-350. It takes about an hour to convert a van tilt to work identical to a truck tilt.
Most Van columns have a smaller steering wheel, rubber tipped levers, and many have cruse turn signal levers which can be wired into a theft diterrent (ie push the button for start!) Huck

Re: Van tilt columns
 

bringing this one back up

I'm working on modifying my van tilt column per the FAQ. I cut the outer housing, and then the inner shifting tube. I got a new neutral safety switch and it has a "slice" in it, where it looks like a tab would go from the inner shifting tube. This part doesn't sit down in the inner shifting tube. You mention something about welding in a tab. Am i missing something here?

BTW I must have gotten an earlier one, cause it has the half moon connector....scored it for $75 at the bone yard.

Re: Van tilt columns
 

What spline count are the van columns? that never seems to get mentioned & for me it would be helpful.

Re: Van tilt columns
 

I recently had board member 70shortfleet convert a 70's automatic van tilt to manual for my 66 K10 Suburban. He does outstanding work and can customize them any way you like. I cut the original manual steering shaft to desired length, then used a Borg steering coupler (welded to original steering shaft) to join the two together. I have found that in most cases, the spline on the van tilts is 3/4 in. 36-Spline.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/BRG-313400