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Need direction. DUB did some modifications and my original steering column is not fitting. Can someone help me determine what needs to be changed to revert back to original please. Picture is my current set up.
Mine is a 69, but I don't believe that there are that many differences in this area. It appears that a PO either narrowed the mounting location on the column or replaced the column with something else.
Here is a picture of what my 69 looks like, and it appears that it would bolt right into place.
Mine is a 69, but I don't believe that there are that many differences in this area. It appears that a PO either narrowed the mounting location on the column or replaced the column with something else.
Here is a picture of what my 69 looks like, and it appears that it would bolt right into place.
Was original but DUB did modifications that I cannot ask him about as he has passed away. He had a totally different steering column on it and I am just trying to get it back to original. 🙁. Since I didn’t do it I have no idea what is altered or what is original.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by c1nicole
Was original but DUB did modifications that I cannot ask him about as he has passed away. He had a totally different steering column on it and I am just trying to get it back to original. 🙁. Since I didn’t do it I have no idea what is altered or what is original.
To use a later year steering column he used a later year mount. You will need to swap that or make an adapter plate...this is a 68 steering mount
Don't know if it is an option, but if the 69 or later column works and is a tilt/tele, I would leave it. The tilt is a nice feature to have given that 68 was tele only if that is the column you have. Not sure if there were other mods needed, like to dash panels, to use the later column or not. Was your car together with the later column?
Don't know if it is an option, but if the 69 or later column works and is a tilt/tele, I would leave it. The tilt is a nice feature to have given that 68 was tele only if that is the column you have. Not sure if there were other mods needed, like to dash panels, to use the later column or not. Was your car together with the later column?
Bill
Bill, not sure what DUB’s plan was. Know that the steering column he put in there was telescoping but also had ignition on the column. Not sure how to deal with all those modifications so trying to just reinstall my old column, not knowing I had to make modifications. 😞
What would be more cost effective (since I’m going to have to pay someone to do this). Stay with what he changed to or revert back to original?
the original mounting bracket is MIA so will have to source one. (From my research those are ~ $80 bucks. )
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I guess cost is what ever you have in parts.....68 column needs a 68 dash with the ignition switch on the dash....plus wiring for that. And the 68 rag joint would be different at the end of the shaft and steering box.....so you need to figure out what he did down there. Ive been told theres a lot to swapping out the columns so I never looked past that.If DUB just swapped out the column and didnt change the wiring behind the dash, you could use a 69 column and remove the key switch and lock assembly and smooth it over so it looks like a 68 column.
Was the later year column you had working with the turn signals, high beam indicator and ignition switch? What does your dash look like? How far into this swap was he is what Im getting at to figure out what parts you need
Ahhh yes I forgot about the key on the dash difference. If the later column he fitted is a tele, then it should also tilt. If that it is in good shape then you could sell that for some good money for sure. Since Rescue has a 68 he would probably be able to help you better than me. The later column would be nice if most of the work is done to mount it functionally in the car. The wiring problem shouldn't be too difficult to overcome, but if you are paying someone to do it, might not be worth the hassle. I sometimes forget all the one year only features of the 68.
I will say that if not much else has been done to get that later column to work in the car, other than the physical mount, your best bet money wise would be to sell that later tilt/tele, which it must be since any column that telescopes with the key on the column would also tilt, and just buy the proper mount for your 68 column. If that tilt/tele is in nice condition, you could probably get $1500.00 for it.
I guess cost is what ever you have in parts.....68 column needs a 68 dash with the ignition switch on the dash....plus wiring for that. And the 68 rag joint would be different at the end of the shaft and steering box.....so you need to figure out what he did down there. Ive been told theres a lot to swapping out the columns so I never looked past that.If DUB just swapped out the column and didnt change the wiring behind the dash, you could use a 69 column and remove the key switch and lock assembly and smooth it over so it looks like a 68 column.
Was the later year column you had working with the turn signals, high beam indicator and ignition switch? What does your dash look like? How far into this swap was he is what Im getting at to figure out what parts you need
No idea what’s working as no lights are installed either.
I’ll take a picture of the rag joint to see what is there too. I’ll have to get that and post up.
So lost trying to figure out what his plan/vision was. For some reason he was keeping things a “secret” to surprise me…. Count me surprised. 😮
any other picture I could send that would help determine the best direction to take here?
That column looks to be 77 or newer. As a tilt/tele it definitely has some good value no matter the condition. I would definitely say at this point it would be easier to get the piece to mount your original column to the car and sell that column and 69 up bracket. I believe that rag joint is 69 up as well as I think I can see the flat on the top of the splines. That rag joint would have some value as well as it looks in good shape and the new ones aren't made the same. Do you still have the left side dash panel with the cutout for the ignition key?
That column looks to be 77 or newer. As a tilt/tele it definitely has some good value no matter the condition. I would definitely say at this point it would be easier to get the piece to mount your original column to the car and sell that column and 69 up bracket. I believe that rag joint is 69 up as well as I think I can see the flat on the top of the splines. That rag joint would have some value as well as it looks in good shape and the new ones aren't made the same. Do you still have the left side dash panel with the cutout for the ignition key?
I do still have the dash thankfully. Just all the original mounting stuff is MIA.
That is definitely the 68 turn signal switch with the curved plug, and the harness side connector. I think this is what you need. Two of them on Ebay. Don't know if the top piece is different.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I see the original switch and wiring so he may have just had it mocked up and didnt start cuttingnintobthe wiring. I think the rag joint may be 68 as well. If you can find the 68 mount and dash pad you should be fine. I would put the 68 column in, ground it, plug all the wires in and ground all the harness grounds. If the motor is in and the wiring connected to the starter, alternator voltage regulator and hornbrelay everything should get power.
Ground the light switch and Turn on the light switch. Your dash bulbs should light. Then turn the key to run, not start. Test your turn signals. Check voltage to the coil. If all that works your all set to start assembling the dash and column without wiring surprises
I see the original switch and wiring so he may have just had it mocked up and didnt start cuttingnintobthe wiring. I think the rag joint may be 68 as well. If you can find the 68 mount and dash pad you should be fine. I would put the 68 column in, ground it, plug all the wires in and ground all the harness grounds. If the motor is in and the wiring connected to the starter, alternator voltage regulator and hornbrelay everything should get power.
Ground the light switch and Turn on the light switch. Your dash bulbs should light. Then turn the key to run, not start. Test your turn signals. Check voltage to the coil. If all that works your all set to start assembling the dash and column without wiring surprises
Hoping this will be the case. Will start addressing this next week as car is coming to the house from the shop.
Plan to sell the 77 steering column to help recoup cost of all the work and parts needed. Thanks for the input.
03-02-2024, 01:28 PM
68 steering column mounting
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