tilt/tele conversion
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Hartland WI
tilt/tele conversion
Gentlemen, I need your input on the matter of converting a 71 Corvette from the standard column to a tilt/tele column. I just came back from looking at a car I'm thinking about purchasing. I like the car but the one thing that is holding me back is that the car does not have tilt/tele and this is something I need (being 6'3" its really hard to drive a manual transmission with the standard column- the steering wheel basically rests on top of my knees. Makes shifting pretty difficult).
My questions...
How hard is it to perform this conversion?
How much do the parts run?
How hard are the parts to find?
I appreciate any input as the answers to these questions probably determine if I buy this car or not.
Thanks
My questions...
How hard is it to perform this conversion?
How much do the parts run?
How hard are the parts to find?
I appreciate any input as the answers to these questions probably determine if I buy this car or not.
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 357
Likes: 8
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
If you are reasonably handy with wrenches, the swap is easy.
My 72 was a standard column when I purchased it last year, the first thing I did was track a rebuilt tilt/tele column on Ebay. $600 for the column. Could not find an aftermarket supplier or Corvette junkyard that had one. I have a black interior so the color was easy.
Swap out took a Saturday afternoon following the assembly manual.
Watch your electrical connectors and interlock/safety rods, they differ through the years, I had to swap them from the old column to the new.
Hardest part was getting the spline end back into the rag joint connection, needed two people for that.
Good luck.
My 72 was a standard column when I purchased it last year, the first thing I did was track a rebuilt tilt/tele column on Ebay. $600 for the column. Could not find an aftermarket supplier or Corvette junkyard that had one. I have a black interior so the color was easy.
Swap out took a Saturday afternoon following the assembly manual.
Watch your electrical connectors and interlock/safety rods, they differ through the years, I had to swap them from the old column to the new.
Hardest part was getting the spline end back into the rag joint connection, needed two people for that.
Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
From: Belton Missouri
If you don't care about using origional equipment (OEM), the Spike Channel, Horsepower TV, Project Stinkray, they installed a new replacement column from IDIDIT @ http://www.ididitinc.com/home2.htm
The column they used has the key switch in column, tilt and tel.
I have been on thier website and still have not seen it listed, but I have not called them.
If you go this way I would really like to know more about it...
The column they used has the key switch in column, tilt and tel.
I have been on thier website and still have not seen it listed, but I have not called them.
If you go this way I would really like to know more about it...
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 357
Likes: 8
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
There are a couple on Ebay now (10-06-05), some nice, some beat.
You can try Contemporary Corvettes in Bristol,PA 800-FOR-VETT, they get them in once in a while, but they don't last long.
You can try Contemporary Corvettes in Bristol,PA 800-FOR-VETT, they get them in once in a while, but they don't last long.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
From: Belton Missouri
I called the IDIDIT shop and they custom made that column for the show.
They will do it for anyone, but you have to send in your column, because they use some part(s) from it.
Only availalbe in steel, cost is $610 + Shipping.
They will do it for anyone, but you have to send in your column, because they use some part(s) from it.
Only availalbe in steel, cost is $610 + Shipping.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Des Allemands LA
Forum member "pinky" rebuilt an 80-82 style for my '76. These columns are about two inches shorter than earlier years and give you a little more room. Another advantage is the dimmer and wiper controls are on the column as opposed to the dash and floor. I am very pleased with the way it turned out. Staright bolt in replacement when I got it back.
ltlevil
ltlevil
