Rebuild or Repair your 1963-66 Steering Column - DIY

[Lugnutz65]

Need to repair or rebuild your 1963-66 manual steering column?
The 1963 MT column is identical to the 1964-66 versions except for the turn signal mechanism.
Save THIS LINK which has all 4 sections listed . . . .
or . . . . Look at each individually using the 4 links below.
I just completed all 4 sections of a DIY that shows:
How to remove the column from the truck.
How to disassemble the steering column.
How to rebuild the steering column and rag joint.
How to install the column back into the truck.

[Cris]

Lugnutz:

Thanks for a great write up. I used your web page extensively when I was installing a T5 transmission and it was invaluable.

I will be pulling my column in the next couple of months. My 63 had a column shift, but with the T5 this is no longer needed. Can I simply delete the shift tube and associated parts? And do you have any suggestions on how to finish the collar that holds the shifter? Do they sell a floor shift version of the collar without the bracket for the column shifter?

Thanks and great work!

Cris

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Cris

Lugnutz:

Thanks for a great write up. I used your web page extensively when I was installing a T5 transmission and it was invaluable.

I will be pulling my column in the next couple of months. My 63 had a column shift, but with the T5 this is no longer needed. Can I simply delete the shift tube and associated parts? And do you have any suggestions on how to finish the collar that holds the shifter? Do they sell a floor shift version of the collar without the bracket for the column shifter?

Thanks and great work!

Cris

I'm glad my T5 info was helpful.
The quick answer is . . . I think deleting the shifter tube isn't a good idea because it would compromise the structural support and function of other column parts.
First of all, the shift collar doesn't actually connect to the outer column tube but actually sits around the tube and rests on the shifter tube boss. Without the shifter tube, the shifter collar wouldn't have the proper support.
The shifter tube also provides support to keep the turn signal mechanism centered inside the column.
The lower portion of the shifter tube also provides support to the lower column bearing.
When I put the T5 in my 1965 truck, I used a cut wheel to cut off the the shifter arms so it had a cleaner look. See photo.

The boss for the shifter handle that's on the shifter collar can be cut off flush with the rest of the collar and the hole filled with epoxy and then a little body filler. The shifter collar is made from pot metal and I wouldn't try to weld a patch for the hole. If you can find a shifter collar from a truck with a 4 speed (granny 1st gear), or from a bigger truck like a C60 etc. then they should also have a shifter collar without a handle boss.

[sstock]

Thank you for the info, was hoping to find a thread on this.
Steve

[Cris]

Lugnutz:

Thanks for the info. Did the trucks with the four speed (on the floor) have the shifter tube in place, or was it a completely different assembly?

Cris

[Lugnutz65]

Cris,
Excellent question. I really don’t know. Sorry.

[c60clf]

Thanks for great job Jay

[roll_the_dice]

Great write up as usual. I used the info you had on steering columns when I rebuilt mine...invaluable. Thanks for all your hard and dedicated work to the board!

[sstock]

Originally Posted by Cris

Lugnutz:

Thanks for the info. Did the trucks with the four speed (on the floor) have the shifter tube in place, or was it a completely different assembly?

Cris

I'll let you know soon, I plan on doing mine now that Jay posted up this how to do.

[jeff_wilson70]

Lugnutz,

Thanks for the great writeup on this. You saved me from ordering a new lower bearing and it only took me about an hour to get my original back into perfect shape thanks to your writeup. It will also save me countless hours putting the whole colunmn back together again.

[D'Monsta]

My turn signal housing has started flopping and the wheel is loose. Is there a bearing or bushing worn out?
.. My truck is a '66 GMC w/3 on the tree.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by D'Monsta

My turn signal housing has started flopping and the wheel is loose. Is there a bearing or bushing worn out?
.. My truck is a '66 GMC w/3 on the tree.

Could be that, or could be the steering wheel nut has backed off some. Pop the horn button off and see what you can find