Steering column interchange
- Thread starter kmccabe56
- Start date
XfbodyX
Well-Known Member
Just remember the huge majority of 76 Fs use a one year specific harness connector on the turn signal portion, I cant recall at the moment if the ign switch portion is different. Actually its a 76 A body connector.
F body Deconstructor Jim
Well-Known Member
Worth a try. Wiring would be the only issue that jumps right out at me.
I'd imagine it would bolt right up.
I have an F floor shift column in my 72 Demon.
Swapped the firewall plate and bolted it in.
I'd imagine it would bolt right up.
I have an F floor shift column in my 72 Demon.
Swapped the firewall plate and bolted it in.
I'm dealing with a '79, so that shouldn't be a problem.
I'm fine with finding/getting a column if I know it's going to work, but I'm a cheapskate when it comes to spending money on experiments. Guess I need to see what a tilt/floor shift column goes for. As I said, I've had ZERO luck finding an F-body column. Maybe Js are more plentiful.
Aspen500
Well-Known Member
I can't say for sure but, I would THINK an M-body column would bolt in and finding one of those with tilt should be a lot easier than a J-body.
Aspen500
Well-Known Member
Aspen500
Well-Known Member
Yes. those I can find, but they're all column shift. I'm looking for a floor shift with no lever on the column.
80mirada
Well-Known Member
Floor shift M-bodies are incredibly rare, only 2-door.
80mirada
Well-Known Member
Column shift columns can be converted, but you need parts from tilt/floor shift column from an 80s front drive, or 1st gen Dakota
I investigated this a long time ago (25+ years ago).
As far as the column goes, there are six (6) basic groups of columns used in all FMJ vehicles:
- ’76-79 FM tilt columns (note: other than a few minor odds/ends and wheels, there is not much that interchanges with the other 5 groups).
- ’76-79 FM non-tilt columns (note: other than a few minor odds/ends and wheels, there is not much that interchanges with the other 5 groups).
- ’80-89 FM tilt columns
- ’80-89 FM non-tilt columns
- ’80-83 J tilt columns.
- ’80-83 J non-tilt columns.
These last 4 groups – there is a lot of interchangeable parts between them.
Of the 6 groupings, there are column shift, floor shift automatics and floor shifted manuals (all three are slightly different). I’ve been told they made column shifted manual columns (three speed on the tree) – but I have yet to see one (yet).
Chrysler changed electrical plug-ins and other electrical parts every couple of years – so there is not much electrical interchangeability between all 6 groupings. If you have an electrical part that has a different pigtail on it, in most cases, the pigtail connector can be interchanged and/or electrical pigtail can be cut off and soldered back on.
The floor mount (at firewall) is the same for all FMJ’s (and only to FMJ’s).
The overall length is the same on all FMJ’s.
The dash mount is different on J’s vs. F & M’s. If you look closely, the dash mount is a few inches more forward (closer to the firewall) on the J’s, because of the dash design difference.
I’m sure a person can alter the dash mount bracket to fit a J into an FM or vice versa) – but you would need both columns and several measurements to make sure its welded back in correct place.
Also, I recommend dissembling the entire column before welding, just to make sure you don’t damage the bearings or other electrical components (if welding is to take place).
The upper portion of '80-89 columns is the same for pretty much all Chrysler cars/trucks (except for Omni/Horizon (L body) and vans) made in the ‘80’s, so a person can find floor shifted (manual or automatic) front wheel drive, pickup or Dakota column and can transfer/interchange (the upper) parts to convert a ’80-89 column, if wanted.
I’ve also heard the ‘80’s GM steering columns used many of the same parts (Chrysler used Saginaw (GM) for their ’80-90ish columns) – so that might also open up other possibilities. I’ve not looked close enough to know for sure.
The same applies to '76-79 non-tilt columns. The upper part interchanges with most of the '70-79 vehicles (to adapt into a floor shifted car).
I don't recall seeing many '70-79 floor shifted tilt columns - so if made, those column parts would be hard to find).
I hope this helps.
BudW
As far as the column goes, there are six (6) basic groups of columns used in all FMJ vehicles:
- ’76-79 FM tilt columns (note: other than a few minor odds/ends and wheels, there is not much that interchanges with the other 5 groups).
- ’76-79 FM non-tilt columns (note: other than a few minor odds/ends and wheels, there is not much that interchanges with the other 5 groups).
- ’80-89 FM tilt columns
- ’80-89 FM non-tilt columns
- ’80-83 J tilt columns.
- ’80-83 J non-tilt columns.
These last 4 groups – there is a lot of interchangeable parts between them.
Of the 6 groupings, there are column shift, floor shift automatics and floor shifted manuals (all three are slightly different). I’ve been told they made column shifted manual columns (three speed on the tree) – but I have yet to see one (yet).
Chrysler changed electrical plug-ins and other electrical parts every couple of years – so there is not much electrical interchangeability between all 6 groupings. If you have an electrical part that has a different pigtail on it, in most cases, the pigtail connector can be interchanged and/or electrical pigtail can be cut off and soldered back on.
The floor mount (at firewall) is the same for all FMJ’s (and only to FMJ’s).
The overall length is the same on all FMJ’s.
The dash mount is different on J’s vs. F & M’s. If you look closely, the dash mount is a few inches more forward (closer to the firewall) on the J’s, because of the dash design difference.
I’m sure a person can alter the dash mount bracket to fit a J into an FM or vice versa) – but you would need both columns and several measurements to make sure its welded back in correct place.
Also, I recommend dissembling the entire column before welding, just to make sure you don’t damage the bearings or other electrical components (if welding is to take place).
The upper portion of '80-89 columns is the same for pretty much all Chrysler cars/trucks (except for Omni/Horizon (L body) and vans) made in the ‘80’s, so a person can find floor shifted (manual or automatic) front wheel drive, pickup or Dakota column and can transfer/interchange (the upper) parts to convert a ’80-89 column, if wanted.
I’ve also heard the ‘80’s GM steering columns used many of the same parts (Chrysler used Saginaw (GM) for their ’80-90ish columns) – so that might also open up other possibilities. I’ve not looked close enough to know for sure.
The same applies to '76-79 non-tilt columns. The upper part interchanges with most of the '70-79 vehicles (to adapt into a floor shifted car).
I don't recall seeing many '70-79 floor shifted tilt columns - so if made, those column parts would be hard to find).
I hope this helps.
BudW
