3 & 4 speed tilt columns - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crawdad · 12-03-2005, 05:01 PM

I'm wanting to put a tilt column in my truck and was wondering what the differences were between the 3 speed and 4 speed tilt columns. My truck has the T-350 tranny, so I would need the 3 speed column. I see lots of 4 speed tilts, but not too many 3 speeds. My question is can they be interchanged? Is there anything "simple" that you can do to make the 4 speed column work with the 3 speed

? Appreciate any help.

Prerunner1982 · 12-03-2005, 05:23 PM

yeah, change the gear indiactor, where it say P R N D OD 2 1.. that should be all you need... should be, being the key phrase...

chevy_fatman · 12-03-2005, 06:25 PM

When you say 3 speed, are you referring to a 3 on the tree? I don't think they ever made tilt columns for a manual 3 speed on the tree, if you are talking about the TH350 then you would need a auto tilt, 'cuz a th350 is an auto tranny, I see lots of those auto tilt columns for the th350 all the time, as low as 50 bucks in a junkyard

piecesparts · 12-03-2005, 07:11 PM

3 speed Auto column is the same basic thing as a 4 speed auto. The shift indicator on the dash is what you change and the column has no effect on that. You will have to ensure that you align the tranny neutral start switch on the column to allow fro proper starting and that should be all. I eliminated all of this by putting the shifter on the floor and I enjoy it much better.

crawdad · 12-03-2005, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crawdad

My truck has the T-350 tranny, so I would need the 3 speed column.

Yea, I meant for that "T" indicated above to stand for Turbo and not Three or Tree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevy_fatman

'cuz a th350 is an auto tranny

Dang! and here I've been trying to shift that thing all this time

crawdad · 12-03-2005, 07:18 PM

I guess what I'm needing to know is will the 4 speed column have an extra space in there (for the 4th speed) that would keep me from being able to use it, or make it more undesireable than a 3 speed column. Boy I'm having trouble writing what I'm trying to say tonight.

Prerunner1982 · 12-03-2005, 11:17 PM

crawdad, there is NO difference in the column, the transmission has the gear notches in it, not the column... the only thing you need is the indicator on the dash.. that has the P R N D OD 2 1....

79BIG10 · 12-04-2005, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prerunner1982

crawdad, there is NO difference in the column, the transmission has the gear notches in it, not the column... the only thing you need is the indicator on the dash.. that has the P R N D OD 2 1....

Jon is right. The notches are in the tranny not the column. You just have to adjust the linkage rod to the new shifting positions on the column.

crawdad · 12-04-2005, 01:01 AM

Ah! Ok, I understand now. Dang, I knew the shift notches were in the tranny. What the devil was I thinking about

. Boys, those "senior moments" are starting to come more frequently

. Anyway, thank you all for helping me get it straight.

1976K5CHALET · 12-04-2005, 04:02 AM

I think there might be one more glitch to surmount. I'm not 100% on this but somewhere around 83-4 the wiper controls ceased to be a dash mounted option and got incorperated into a multiswitch that included the cruise functions. And assuming that yor TH350 would have been the later in the wiper function.

I kinda lean towards the 73-76ish tilt columns as the lower section of the column that the shift lever attaches to is real steel in one section while the 78-9 used a plastic shroud, and when it breaks it requires special tools to strip the column down that far to replace that one piece. Lets just say slamming the lever into park when pissed off was not a wise idea. So since i got my self into a nasty spot i went to the boneyard and aquired a column from a donor 74 for $50 and then soon discovered that somewhere in 77 or 78 gm changed the steering shaft coupler from a splined unit at the column to a double d design which they still use today. I discovered that i could transfer my internal shaft from the 79 column to the 74 column and away i went. Just thought i'd share that for food for thought.

If the wipers are an issue...just get on ebay and aquire the wiring diagrams for both years and rewire it to your liking.

Doug W.

**Captkaos** · 12-05-2005, 01:43 PM

1983 was when the wiper and the headlight stalk was moved to the turn indicator.

12-03-2005, 05:01 PM	#1
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	3 & 4 speed tilt columns I'm wanting to put a tilt column in my truck and was wondering what the differences were between the 3 speed and 4 speed tilt columns. My truck has the T-350 tranny, so I would need the 3 speed column. I see lots of 4 speed tilts, but not too many 3 speeds. My question is can they be interchanged? Is there anything "simple" that you can do to make the 4 speed column work with the 3 speed ? Appreciate any help. __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

12-03-2005, 05:23 PM	#2
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns yeah, change the gear indiactor, where it say P R N D OD 2 1.. that should be all you need... should be, being the key phrase... __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

12-03-2005, 06:25 PM	#3
chevy_fatman Where's my beer? Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I live in the state of denial.... Posts: 5,621	Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns When you say 3 speed, are you referring to a 3 on the tree? I don't think they ever made tilt columns for a manual 3 speed on the tree, if you are talking about the TH350 then you would need a auto tilt, 'cuz a th350 is an auto tranny, I see lots of those auto tilt columns for the th350 all the time, as low as 50 bucks in a junkyard __________________ Paul How do you make the invisible, visible?.........You take it away.

12-03-2005, 07:11 PM	#4
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns 3 speed Auto column is the same basic thing as a 4 speed auto. The shift indicator on the dash is what you change and the column has no effect on that. You will have to ensure that you align the tranny neutral start switch on the column to allow fro proper starting and that should be all. I eliminated all of this by putting the shifter on the floor and I enjoy it much better.

12-03-2005, 07:18 PM	#6
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns I guess what I'm needing to know is will the 4 speed column have an extra space in there (for the 4th speed) that would keep me from being able to use it, or make it more undesireable than a 3 speed column. Boy I'm having trouble writing what I'm trying to say tonight. __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

12-03-2005, 11:17 PM	#7
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns crawdad, there is NO difference in the column, the transmission has the gear notches in it, not the column... the only thing you need is the indicator on the dash.. that has the P R N D OD 2 1....

12-04-2005, 01:01 AM	#9
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns Ah! Ok, I understand now. Dang, I knew the shift notches were in the tranny. What the devil was I thinking about . Boys, those "senior moments" are starting to come more frequently . Anyway, thank you all for helping me get it straight. __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

12-04-2005, 04:02 AM	#10
1976K5CHALET Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado Posts: 611	Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns I think there might be one more glitch to surmount. I'm not 100% on this but somewhere around 83-4 the wiper controls ceased to be a dash mounted option and got incorperated into a multiswitch that included the cruise functions. And assuming that yor TH350 would have been the later in the wiper function. I kinda lean towards the 73-76ish tilt columns as the lower section of the column that the shift lever attaches to is real steel in one section while the 78-9 used a plastic shroud, and when it breaks it requires special tools to strip the column down that far to replace that one piece. Lets just say slamming the lever into park when pissed off was not a wise idea. So since i got my self into a nasty spot i went to the boneyard and aquired a column from a donor 74 for $50 and then soon discovered that somewhere in 77 or 78 gm changed the steering shaft coupler from a splined unit at the column to a double d design which they still use today. I discovered that i could transfer my internal shaft from the 79 column to the 74 column and away i went. Just thought i'd share that for food for thought. If the wipers are an issue...just get on ebay and aquire the wiring diagrams for both years and rewire it to your liking. Doug W. __________________ Doug Wright aka K5NUTT over @coloradok5.com Owner of http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChevyK5BlazerChalets Certified K5 Nut

12-05-2005, 01:43 PM	#11
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: 3 & 4 speed tilt columns 1983 was when the wiper and the headlight stalk was moved to the turn indicator. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com



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