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The Tilt Question...

Today I came across a old Flaming River Catalog. Now, I have always thought I would like to have a Tilt Wheel in my Pantera! I know Mike Drew will chime in with something like, Tilt Wheels are for old guys and there Lincoln's! LOL Each to there own.

I've seen a couple of Pantera's with a tilt wheel, but never got to talk with the owners about how much trouble it was to install, or what they used? So anybody have any thoughts, Good or Bad? Things like, because of the tilt the column may stick to far in to the cabin, or anything else?

Curt
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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
years ago i changed the fix column in my '70 C3 Corvette by a tilt/telescopic one...was a great improvement on driving position at least in that car.Don't need it in my GT5S now, is OK, don't know if that's different in a '70's Pantera ?...but i remember it was a "slick" column , just small round shape...i think you don't want to loose to much space for the legs... ?
Hey Marlin

Good to hear from you! The Tilt thing is just a thought at this time. My car is not home yet! The repairs are coming along nicely, just taking longer then I hoped! Don't they always?

Yes, I'm still unemployed, sorry to hear your in the same boat, it seems to be sinking fast? I've been looking to go back in the Bar business, with this econony people will be drinking there sorrows away! Sad, but thats another story.

Guys, if you need a special part machined Marlin's your guy! He does great work!

Curt
Last edited by cuvee
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