I have the Ididit, and it's very nicely made. Powder coating is perfect. Overall I am very happy.
For guys that are running tilt column's which one has the best fit...?
...finish?
...and function?
Well, I'm going to have to put on my salesman's badge, hat and pocket protector and say "ours does" because it's made for a Bronco specifically.
Other than inner bearings and such (I think?), it's all made to fit an Early Bronco and not generic like all others have to be.
http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/Ididit_Columns
Even the stock lower shaft (on '73 and later Broncos) will bolt right on if you want to reuse it.
Here, I have not seen any one that is better or worse than the others. Most familiar with Flaming River and Ididit, but those are the two biggest players other than stock junkyard stuff anyway. And might just be the sources of choice for all the other generic private labeled models out there you see for sale.
And both do a good job of coating and putting theirs together.
No reliability issues with any that I've heard of. Other than finicky aftermarket horn buttons and wheel fitment. But that's not always the fault of the column manufacturer.
Going to have to say the same here. All are well made and work as expected most of the time.
Can't say I've seen any difference between the generics. But our "Direct Fit" Ididit columns use all Bronco replacement items. So your firewall clamps and gaskets still fit, and your stock replacement turn signal switch and lever and wheel and horn button and all that are what you use. No trying to figure out what GM to order parts for out on the road, or whatever.
Can't think of any real downside to a direct-fit other than price.
They're never going to be as cheap as your most generic, sold through the largest distributing warehouse in the highest volume. It's just how the world works.
Paul
Do you guys offer the aluminum column it the direct replacement?
Also I have a 77' so if I call to order, you guys can tell me what else I need to install?
No. And really I don't think aluminum would be a good material for a truck's steering column. At the very least for the reasons that Pa Pitt and pipermike brought up.
Not everyone hangs on their wheel to climb in, but I bet a LOT of us do at some point. And aluminum would almost always be a polished version for most (street rod and custom car builders like that shiny stuff) so reflections and glare would be real concerns.
And it would naturally be more expensive. Just not much demand for it from our point of view.
Sure, it's lighter and cooler, but the first is not as important to most truck owners, and the latter costs more.
Agree totally with the shiny stuff not being for everyone. It looks great, is easy to clean (in the case of chrome), and is not overly expensive in the chrome version (same as powder). Polished stainless might be in the same range as polished aluminum possibly. Stronger, but still too bright for my tastes.
Sure. Easy enough if things are still mostly stock. In fact, if yours is stock, there really isn't anything else you should need that I'm aware of. Everything from your steering wheel down to your lower steering shaft should just reattach to the new column. About as easy as it gets.
However, if your lower yoke and/or rag joint are worn out or just showing their age and you want to change, you could get the replacement shaft as well.
Same for the steering wheel. We do sell replacements, but whether you want or need one is up to you.
Otherwise it's all good to go and the instructions will tell you anything you need to know about the wiring (hopefully!) and even that's pretty straightforward.
You could check out the videos too, if you haven't already. The swap shown was done in a '76, so is the same as your '77.
Paul
Glass Pony, was it really necessary to post that picture? Beautiful interior, not a spec of dirt that I can see, while mine is mainly off-road use, yours is beautiful.
Do any of these options have the lane-change function in the switch, and do any of them have the Hi-Lo selector as part of the turn signal stalk?