Ididit steering columns
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Ididit steering columns
Has any replaced their stock steering column with an ididit steering column. Does anyone know what the length of a tilt/telescopic steering column is for a 79 vette. I'm planning to replace my standard column with an ididit column. They are cost the same as a used column from
most vette salvage yards/aftermarket manufacturers of corvette parts.
most vette salvage yards/aftermarket manufacturers of corvette parts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
The original equipment T&T steering column was a function locking, energy absorbing design. It was designed to telescope and absorb energy in a severe frontal collision. It was integrated into the C3 chassis at a cost of millions of dollars and was validated in laboratory testing of the components as well as full vehicle impact tests.
The Ididit design steering column does not telescope and it does not absorb energy. It is a rigid design, (the same as ones used before 1967). I really hate to see a potentially life saving, energy absorbing component replaced by one that is rigid on a vehicle that is driven on the public roads.
Jim Shea
The Ididit design steering column does not telescope and it does not absorb energy. It is a rigid design, (the same as ones used before 1967). I really hate to see a potentially life saving, energy absorbing component replaced by one that is rigid on a vehicle that is driven on the public roads.
Jim Shea
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Oldguard: Have you actually priced original steering columns???
If you find one the same price as an Ididit, you'd be better off buying it and rebuilding it or having it rebuilt.
While I basically agree with what Jim says, the fact is that it's becoming VERY diffiult to find or afford original T&T steering columns.
I paid $750 for my original T&T column for my '72 and I thought that was a good deal. Especially since Contemporary Corvette told me they had NONE in stock, and when they got them, they would be over $1000!!!
While the government can legislate what the factories have to install as original equipment for safety purposes, it's still up to the individual to decide what he wants in his car as aftermarket. Ididit doesn't sell a Tilt AND Telescopic column for the Vette. It's one or the other.
Dep
If you find one the same price as an Ididit, you'd be better off buying it and rebuilding it or having it rebuilt.
While I basically agree with what Jim says, the fact is that it's becoming VERY diffiult to find or afford original T&T steering columns.
I paid $750 for my original T&T column for my '72 and I thought that was a good deal. Especially since Contemporary Corvette told me they had NONE in stock, and when they got them, they would be over $1000!!!
While the government can legislate what the factories have to install as original equipment for safety purposes, it's still up to the individual to decide what he wants in his car as aftermarket. Ididit doesn't sell a Tilt AND Telescopic column for the Vette. It's one or the other.
Dep
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
From: Olive Branch MS
St. Jude Contributor
If anyone watched the project stinkray on horsepower you noticed they installed a ididit column. I also noticed when they were test driving the car it looked like the wheel was way too high for comfort IMHO. I had considered a ididit at one time. Jim Shea's post on this subjet originally put me off on this matter. The project stinkray sealed the deal. I like my wheel low. When it's too high it looks like a little old lady is driving. My wife drives like this. I guess she'll be a little old lady one day. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
If I couldn't locate an original column with tilt & telescopic, I fully planned on using an aftermarket tilt one. With all the different ways one can get killed or injured nowadays, worrying about being impaled on a steering column ranks pretty low for me.
Dep
Dep
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
One of my bosses decided to tell a customer picking up his car that his steering wheel
(similar to)
was going to take off his hands in an accident!
I'm certainly concerned about safety (I've still got 80 years to live!) and the steering column sounds like a legitimate concern to me. I'd really rather not contact it in the first place...
-Chris
(similar to)
was going to take off his hands in an accident!
I'm certainly concerned about safety (I've still got 80 years to live!) and the steering column sounds like a legitimate concern to me. I'd really rather not contact it in the first place...
-Chris
