Auto Column for a '73

[mo-bronco]

I have a '73 that I converted over to an automatic about 15 years ago. It has a floor shifter and I'd like to get an automatic column. I have a painless wiring harness, so that will come in to play as far as the wiring goes. I'm trying to figure out which would be the best column to get. I usually run an aftermarket wheel, but down the road I might want to put a stock type wheel back on it. I'd like to get something as close to stock as I can get, but the idea of paying a $300 core charge because I don't have an old one to trade in bothers me. Anyone have any advice on this?

 

[Broncobowsher]

Do you have tilt, or plan to add it? I never had it, never missed it. But some really want it.
Where is your hazard switch (dash or column)?

 

[SteveL]

I'm looking into an auto swap for my 72. I currently have a 4spd. I like the idea of column shift. After looking into it isn't much more for a nice new tilt column compared what guys want for an old stock column. I think the aftermarket may come matched to a gm harmonica plug. Many of the aftermarket harnesses use the same wiring plug. Might be worth a call to wh tech and see if they have one that will plug and play with your harness

 

[DirtDonk]

Our Wild Horses “direct fit“ column would likely be the closest to stock you’re going to find.
You’re still gonna have to heavily think through, and even tweak the wiring a little bit though.
They are based on 74 and later models, so some of the colors might vary.
But that’s not neither Painless or the column’s fault, necessarily, as 73 had multiple wire color changes during the model year. So you may already have dealt with that, having connected the Painless harness to your original column to begin with.

It uses a Bronco turn signal switch for a 74 or later later model, so you will need a relay in the horn section of your harness. Which the Painless harness may already have supplied, and you may already be dealing with.
The real mind games are connecting the hazard switch wiring. The new one would now be on the column instead of the dash.
Or, alternately, you could retain the dash switch and leave the wires for the column switch inactive. Some remain necessary, because they are part of the brake and turn signal section. Others might not.
I don’t really know which is the better or more viable solution.

But what you end up with is a column that will accept the stock steering wheel, A known turn signal switch for 74/75 or 76/77 Bronco, and factory style connectors.
Just not necessarily the one you have on your 73.
But with the Painless replacement harness, you may no longer have your original column connector to deal with anyway.

The standard generic columns are usually much less expensive, but then you just have to remember to get steering wheel wheels and adapters for GM vehicles and turn signal switches from GM vehicles.
Not a huge deal, and I don’t know anybody yet or don’t remember hearing about it here, who have had issues with their generic turn signal switches.

But the main issue I see from your post, is potentially using a stock steering wheel. So I’m pretty sure that leaves you with either a stock column, or one of our Direct Fit replacement tilt columns.

Still doesn’t hurt to call in to get second or third opinions. Hopefully you’ll get that here in your thread as well.
There might be other options that I’m not thinking of. Such as junkyard hopping and crawling, looking for a different model from a Ford truck.

 

[mo-bronco]

Thanks for the info. If I remember correctly, the hazard switch is on the column. I really don't need tilt, I like the stock placement well enough. DirtDonk, I'll look into the "direct fit" that you guys have. I paid my my son in law's step dad to rewire it about 10 years, so I'm not sure about the connections. I had done one before years ago, but it took me all summer going at it off and on. This guy did it in a week (he did that type of thing for a living, wiring police cars etc.). Whatever I get, I can install it myself, but if the wiring ends up above my pay-grade, I'll just take to to someone I trust to get it lined out. When it was my daily driver I would occasionally switch between the stock wheel and an aftermarket just for something different, so I like the idea of being able to have stock wheel also.