Reply to "Tilt Wheel"

Yes, to each their own -- but if you must know....

You will be on your own as far as the tilt wheel and making of the adapter for your steering wheel goes. Not a big deal if you know how to use a lathe, or know of someone who can spin you some parts.

Those are the minuses, the pluses are you can get a column (doesn't really matter whose) off from eBay (GM, Ford, Mopar) and modify to physically fit in your car. If you so choose, you can also get a decent hazard function on the column as well as a turn signal switch inside that is easily repaired if it ever goes bad. If you really go trick you can get a column with a fitting turn signal lever with cruise and the operation for the wipers. The only function you will not be able to deal with on the levers is the horn push -- but if you want to put the horn push where they are on American columns (as the engineering is already done), you can finally have the horn push right there in the middle of the steering wheel if you so desire. The other thing to think about is getting a column that deals with hi and lo beam functions.

So I guess the caveat I have is, make sure the column you are getting has all of the functions you want to work (tilt, wipers, hi/lo beam, ignition, turn signal, hazard), and then it is just getting it to physically fit in the car. I am fitting a 1971 Mopar column into my car (which is really a GM column, BTW), and the fitting of the column looks to be very good. Not too far towards the chest and not too much of a reach either. I also got the column that is tilt telescopic -- because I was afraid that I would need that to be more comfortable. Yes, the steering wheel adapter will be a pain, but it's all good fun and looks to be rather straightforward.

If you do go this route of tilt steering column, the other thing that I would definitely do is get one with a tilt column with the steering wheel attached and fully together. You will need to cut the steering wheel up to get the machined piece that makes it attach to the tilt column machined piece. It is already engineered and you will see what you need to do to put it all together. Without all of the necessary parts you'll end up purchasing lots of "extra" stuff that you did not need, save for that one part you were missing. Don't ask how I know that.........

My car is over at Wilkinson's in Paramount if you would like to go and see it. The column is installed in the car, but Steve does not have the steering wheel adapter yet -- that is my deal that I get to take care of. I'm also the lucky dog that gets to rebuild the column -- but it's O.K. as I say, keeps me out of the tavern......

Best of luck,

Mark