1970 Charger steering column suggestions

[1970_Charger]

as the steering column I got with the car is pretty beat-up I'm looking into possible replacements. Any suggestions? Floor shift... I'd like to keep ignition switch in the column even though wiring I got for the car came with dash ignition switch.


thanks,

 

[Seventy]

How bad is the column, I have some column shift parts in a bucket, I mean if you just need to rebuild your column the cost is not high, paint, sand paper, a couple switches, bearings, $200 should do about any column no matter how bad it is... you got pics?

 

[1970_Charger]

It was a column shift - now the shifter is in the floor. I am looking to buy a used column to rebuild it - perhaps I can put one good one together out of two with some new parts that are still available. Steering has been converted to rack and pinion. Was wondering if there is a unit out there, like Flaming River that I can just use.

 

[Seventy]

Well if you dont care about being original I would buy a tilt key floor shift aluminum column off of ebay for $200, BUT that is a lot of work to install, best bet is to take that column apart and just buy what you need, I can send you some pics from the service manual that shows the exploded view, they are pretty east to rebuild and the parts are cheap.

OR there is a gentleman on ebay that sells them all done.. I checked he doesnt seem to have any 70 floor shifts right now, there is this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOPAR-70-B-...ash=item4d35128622:g:HjwAAOSw9N1VoIXw&vxp=mtr

It all depends on what you want to spend I guess, figure a keyed ignition is $30, a ignition switch is $40, $45 for the turnsignal switch (have to cut the repop to fit the 70 column), then $17 for the lower rebuild and $30 for the lower bushing with spring, $20 for paint and primer, its going to cost a couple hundred to rebuild one.

I have done a few, depending on how you are cleaning the parts (I use glass and walnut blast cabinet) its takes about 5 hours to rebuild it top to bottom... I have some parts to them you are welcome to, just pay shipping, no floor shift hubs, but mostly everything else that you wouldnt buy new..

 

[1970_Charger]

thanks, I actually have two column shift columns and am considering a rebuilt. I don't care for originality since the whole car had been upgraded with bells and whistles. I got it already painted, rolling with a rebuilt and upgraded 440. Will give it a try - I have never really thought of any cheap alternatives - just thought that unit from Flaming River that runs for about $800 at Classic Industries is something worth the money.

 

[Kern Dog]

I am looking to add a tilt column from a Cordoba. Mine came from a car with floor shift. I modified one to fit a 74 Duster I used to have. the columns were made by a GM supplier and the guts are all GM except the key lock cylinder. I had to shorten the steering shaft between the firewall and the coupler. It worked like new and gave a great amount of adjustment.

 

[1970_Charger]

were these year specific for 1970? I see plenty of collapsible columns out there, wondering if any parts will fit my application especially since I have to convert from column shift to floor shift.

Also, any drawings, schematics would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kern Dog]

I have modified a few column shift columns by removing the shift handle and grinding off the nub. I've smoothed over the hole with body filler, primer and paint.
Regarding the Cordoba tilt column, the one I got was from a 76 or 77 year model. I've been holding off from doing this swap but with all the changes I've been doing lately, I may consider moving forward with it.

 

[Seventy]

If you are gonig retro rod/protouring then I would look into a column with all the bells and whistles, tilt, tele, key I used the early 70's caddy columns a lot on the hot rods, 73 deville, tilt, telescopic, takes gm wheel, nice long lasting switches in them, gm key but you can easily convert a chrysler key look a like. they may sell them, I used to get the old ford keys (51 and earlier looked cool as did 52 to 64, they were nice looking keys, and tig weld the GM shaft on the ford head, lol, it was about 90 minutes of work to do a pair of keys, but worth it, that also filing and fitting the ignition cylinder to fit the ford key...

So if you are not going original the sky is the limit... you can make any column fit..

 

[1970_Charger]

thanks. Looks like I'll just go with Flaming River but... but I will also resto the original one and keep it for later. You never know.