69 steering column change

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Aug 29, 2007 | 05:54 PM

jfleye

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From: Oklahoma

69 steering column change

Has anyone put a newer model column in a 69? I would like haveing the dimmer on the column. Any pictures would be great. 76 columns are cheaper too. Just an idea.
Thanks
John

Aug 29, 2007 | 10:20 PM

72LS1Vette

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From: North Easton Mass

I don't remember what the year cutoff is, but up to a point (76?) you can drop the column in without modification. Newer columns like a 79 require trimming of the housing to fit. If you are going to the effort of changing the steering column get a tilt/tele. It's worth the extra $ for the vastly improved driving position in the car.

This pic will give you an idea of the difference in length between the standard and tilt/tele columns. You have to lengthen the wiring harness for the floor-mounted dimmer switch but it's not a big deal. BTW, the tilt/tele column in the pic has already been modified to fit into the 72. You have to trim off the lower part of the housing so it fits into the dash opening.

Rick B.

Last edited by 72LS1Vette; Aug 29, 2007 at 10:24 PM.

Aug 30, 2007 | 01:12 AM

jfleye

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From: Oklahoma

steering column change

Thanks Rick. It appears that the columns are the same other than the housing diameter. Does the upper bracket need any change?
Thanks
John

Aug 30, 2007 | 08:38 AM

Jim Shea

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C3 dimmer columns started in 1977. I am under the impression that the 1977 C3 dash was carryover from previous years. The C3 dash was changed in 1978. So the 1977 dimmer column was one year only. That column also had the wash/wipe switch on the turn signal stalk as well (one year only.) I originally thought that the 1977 column would bolt right in and fit the dash properly. Now it appears that there is about 1/2 inch interference between the steering column shroud where it meets the dash.

The upper column bracket is the same for all years (1969 through 1982). A good thing because it is welded in place.

Here is a paper that I authored on the subject. The only problem being the fit up to the dash.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...3rev06au07.doc

Keep us informed as to what you find.
Jim

Aug 30, 2007 | 01:37 PM

72LS1Vette

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From: North Easton Mass

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfleye

Thanks Rick. It appears that the columns are the same other than the housing diameter. Does the upper bracket need any change?
Thanks
John

As Jim said, no change to the upper bracket. Once the dimmer harness is lengthened the connector plugs right into the column. The other thing I had to do was remove all of the wires from the long connector on both columns and use the connector from the 72 column because the connectors were different. Again, not a big deal - you just match up the colors.

Rick B.

Aug 30, 2007 | 11:46 PM

jfleye

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From: Oklahoma

Thanks so much. This will make the job much easyer.
John

Sep 20, 2007 | 11:02 PM

jfleye

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From: Oklahoma

79 column in a 69

With the help Jim's paper gave me I changed the column. Works great and was much cheaper than a 69 column. The dimmer on the column was a plus for my wife( she drives the car the most anyway).

Sep 21, 2007 | 08:43 AM

Jim Shea

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From: Saginaw Michigan

So you were able to trim the plastic bowl on the dimmer T&T column so that it fit the instrument cluster on your 1969? I would like to confirm that the later dimmer columns (1977-1982) can be rather easily modified to match the instrument cluster on the older C3s.

Jim