Tilt/Tele Conversion for '71. Worth the Hassle?
 

'71 350/270 convertible.

Doing everything myself, what should I expect to pay for a new tilt/tele column, and all other parts I may need to add this?

I'm afraid that if I did it, I would just place the new til/tele column in the exact position of the stock column when driving, lol.

Is it even worth the hassle/expense?

Does anyone not like a tilt/tele, and prefer the stock fixed column?

Thanks

The tilt part is great when I am working on, or under the dash (tilt all the way up). I am pretty short so, I tilt the wheel down one notch, when driving. I leave the telescoping section in the closest position to the dash.
Eli

I've been on and off about doing that to my '71 as well but don't really want to go through all the hassle. I'm 6 foot tall and weigh right a 200 so it's not like I need the extra room. Plus those things are getting expensive. Let us know how it goes if you do it.

Yes it is worth it. It puts the wheel where it is comfortable for you driving and makes in and out easy for big guys. As said above also working on the car it gets it a little further out of the way. The are getting very expensive though. I paid 200 for a decent one years ago and rebuilt it with another 100 in parts. Now I see total trashed ones going for 750 and fully rebuilt ones in the 1200 range. The swap is quite easy to do just if the price is worth it.

Only if you want to add T/T.
:thumbs:

My 6t8 has the fixed steer column, the 69 has T/T column. The 9-car is my cruiser and I truly enjoy the T/T column. T

I switched my standard for T/T and never looked back. Being 6'2", having the wheel up and out of the way getting in is a breeze. And I like the feel of the wheel being down and pulled toward me when I drive, feels like I am in a sports car. Oh wait, I am in a sports car! Do it!

I'm 6'5"...would like to go to a tilt in mine also...has anyone had any issues with a tilt on a non power steering car...

IMO, the only reason to swap from std. to tilt steering column is if you are 'larger' than average and have difficulty getting in/out of the car. If that's not your problem, you don't NEED it.

Is it convenient? Yes. Is it necessary (other than to be able to fit in the car)? No. These columns are pricey and your stock column has much less value. You will have to determine if you want to go to the trouble and expense of making that change.

Look at "Flaming River" - that have a BRAND NEW tilt steering column for about $800. There are some other ones out they as low as $3-400 but don't know about the quality.

I just had a car in my garage I put in new suspension and brakes. He was undecided on stock T&T or go with Flaming river. He went with the Tilt Flaming river. By the time it was all said and done it cost him over 1K and the first one was damaged. So another was sent. The wiring was not working and required some work. He was not happy but forged ahead and got it all working. I have heard others installed these with no issues. I have never done one so my opinion is useless. I'm just going on what others have said. As always do your homework. I have found very little aftermarket stuff its very well as I'm sure you have also. It takes a little skill and dediccation to get it all fitting and working. :cheers:

I had a basket case that I paid someone to restore. I had never sat in my car with the seat bolted in until I went to the shop that was restoring it and it was painted, running etc.

It had a standard column. I'll never forget that dislocation feeling in my left hip from getting in and out of the car just checking things out.

I asked him how long to change it out and he said a couple hours or something. I said expect a steering column by the end of the week.

It was either that or sell it. I'll Never go back.

6'5" and deuce and a quarter, one of the first things some 25 years ago was to swap for a late shark TT column, put a 3/4 inch spacer on the firewall.....did the smaller wheel, witch will mount to the fixed column too.....ditch that bus driver wheel.....my car is a '72.....

I also lowered the seat a couple inches in back, and moved the lower firewall forward, and bent the brake/gas pedals so they are further forward too......enabling my knees to be off even the small wheel.....

I picked up a rebuilt tilt only column to put in my 69 Convertible. There is a guy in Ohio that is building them. Going to put it in this weekend.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...f584700709.jpg

The builders contact information ? Thanks :flag:

Here is the his ebay add for the steering column.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-1975-C...gAAOSwvO5b06cp

I guess that back in '95 when I bought my '72 fixed wheel vert.....I got very lucky in finding a guy who sold me a TT column from a late shark for only 20 bux....he said it was in a wreck, nothing the matter with it, I overhauled it, spending maybe 100 bux on parts, and then a smaller/late shark wheel, and then the chrome horn button/tile ring from a '77?? chrome because Nader didn't like it, same as the stainless trim on my wiper door......my car is totally DE NADERIZED.......

I got the steering column and 14" wheel installed. The tilt column is about 2" shorter and gives me more room as I am 6'
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...2fdbae81df.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...598b1cd642.jpg

:thumbs: