Bandit54

I'm looking at changing the steering column in my 68 to an ididit tilt steering column. Any comments good or bad please let me know. I have not found one locally to try.
Thank

1Fordman

Had one in my 68 for 8 years. No complaints with it, fits and works great and would buy another if needed.

Kevin68

This is good to know. I was looking at Flaming River columns and this might be another less expensive option. Their columns are not collapsible but it appears that they will make them to a custom length for those of us who have a Borgeson (Jeep) steering gear.

loup68

I really do not understand how they can sell these!!! I am shocked that they do not collapse. I had drivers ed class in 1965 and I remember that they showed a movie of someone impaled on their steering wheel, and that they were blue in color. It can not be that hard to make them collapse.
I am sure companies that make after market brakes make sure that they are safe. The 67-68 columns are a simple design with a collapsing metal mesh. Lou.

Lobzila

I have one in my 68 as well. No it does not collapse, but I upgraded to a better restraint harness anyway. My car is far from original, and getting further every month it seems. Fits fine and plugs right into the harness with no issues.

PHIL 68

So are you saying it's basically an easy switch over and plug in Thanks Phil

Lobzila

Yes, and it comes with the adapter plate that bolts to the firewall. I bought an extra one thinking it did not. Ended up taking it in and out about five times due to little things I forgot to do and changing out stuff in my dash. My own fault, but I did mention to the wife if I have to take this thing out one more time, ahh the pleasure of doing a restoration sometimes.
Yes direct fit and bolts right in.

PHIL 68

Thank you very much I will be looking into getting one Phil

Bandit54

now that my concern has been answered I will throw out a few comments I have been doing some research on both the flaming river and ididit, ididit makes a direct replacement while the flaming river seams to be of the same quality as the ididit but is more of a generic fit that also is used on hot rod projects. Has anyone with a telescoping 68 column had issues with getting in and out of the car. I'm six foot and 200 plus and it's a pain in the rear just getting in an out. I have an original telescoping column that I'm considering using but the value far exceeds the cost of the ididit. I'm in the process of building a non original t-top car using late model c6 ZO6 seats. And comfort is a major concern with this project. Before I sell the telescoping coluum I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing.
Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

Kevin68

I believe that Flaming River has a direct fit as well but is more expensive than the ididit. Since you are putting in C6 seats, I think I would be more concerned with the tilt feature because the C6 seats will sit higher than stock. Depending on your torso length, that may or may not be a problem. How much higher may depend on how creative you can get with making brackets to fit the original rails, but I would count on at least an inch, maybe 2. The telescope is only 1.5".

Bandit54

Thanks, that good information I was not aware Flaming River had a direct fit. I will have to follow up on that. I have not set in the car with the telescoping column attached so I'm not sure how that would be. The tilting was running as my first choice so that looks like the way I will be going.
Thanks

Bandit54

Kevin68, thanks for the information, it looks like Flaming River makes a direct fit for the 68. It listed as a new item looks great from the picture I will have to contact a distributor to get full details. The price looks to be about $300. more it may be worth it I will have to check.
Thanks I appricate the feedback.

loup68

Bandit54, what diameter is your steering wheel? The original 68 wheel should not have been put in the car. It is a carry over from the 67 model year and is 15 inches in diameter. It killed your right thigh when you got into the car. GM made a 14" wheel for the 69 model year, because of this. Lou.

Acidgypsy

I installed one about 3 months ago. Great product, quick shipping, easy install.
Only thing I might have done differently, was to upgrade from a raw finish (which I brushed and cleared myself) to a polished one (+ $150 'ish).

LS conversion with power steering & 14" steering wheel.

Bandit54

Lou, on the convertible I have a 15" stock wheel I have changed from time to time to 14 and 13 inch wheels and that's not any fun the convertible does not have power steering. I have a telescoping column but I have never tried it in the convertible it has stock interior. I'm leaving the convertible completely stock. My new project is a 68 t-top that's where my research is leading me I plan on not necessarily going to stay stock. I'm doing upgraded seating, vintage air, 5 speed, upgraded suspension, flaired fenders, on and on this is going to be a cruiser so comfort and convenience will be important.

PHIL 68

I just checked their site and I find a price of 766.94 where are they 300.00 please Phil

Bandit54

Phil, I'm going to check again but the price that I saw on Flaming Rivers web site was $1036.91 for a 68 black power coated column part number FR2103VTBK. This was listed as a direct fit for the 68. I'm sure that there is dealers that will discount a few dollars but not a large discount.

Lobzila

Bandit, If you are putting newer model seats in the car, you will have to change your steering wheel to a smaller one. Also, you will have to mod the seats to make them sit lower in the car. I am 5-08 and have a set of power C5 sport seats in mine. At the lowest position, and all the way back, they fit me fine, but depending on how your torso is, it might take a bit more work. I got a tilt column and smaller wheel for myself. Good luck.

PHIL 68

Sorry I reread your post and you said 300 more my mistake Phil

Bandit54

That's the interior I'm looking for, on the t-top I will be able to use a smaller diameter wheel it has power steering. Without power steering I don't think they make a steering wheel big enough to use in a big block car. It like driving a truck.