IDIDIT Steering Column Install

[BGBronco]

I installed the Ididit steering column from Wildhorses on my 76 w/C4. If you're not familiar with it, its basically plug and play with the exception that you need to re-pin the factory harness connector which is no big deal.

Overall, not a bad job, just some painful contortions getting to both sides of the firewall.

One piece of advice, make sure you order the shift linkage retainer bushing (Part #8387). It’s not included or even recommended and it definitely should be.

i will be posting my old column soon if anyone is interested.

 

[Bearhawk Builder]

Very nice. I was under the impression that the idiit column would not accept the older 2 spoke wheel. Actually not impression, this is what I was told without doubt by the vendor.
Did you find any issues with it? Is that an original wheel or new?

 

[Shimmy]

Very nice. I was under the impression that the idiit column would not accept the older 2 spoke wheel. Actually not impression, this is what I was told without doubt by the vendor.
Did you find any issues with it? Is that an original wheel or new?

interesting. i was told (by WH) it would fit without issues considering the IDIDIT column is designed to be plug and play with a stock bronco. i have the IDIDIT now and was thinking of putting the TBP 14.5" wheel

 

[1969]

There are two iDidit columns. I’m assuming you got the 2.25” for this to work? It is listed as the direct fit. The other is the 2” column which fits as well.

 

[BGBronco]

interesting. i was told (by WH) it would fit without issues considering the IDIDIT column is designed to be plug and play with a stock bronco. i have the IDIDIT now and was thinking of putting the TBP 14.5" wheel

That‘a the TBP steering wheel I have on mine. no issue.

 

[BGBronco]

There are two iDidit columns. I’m assuming you got the 2.25” for this to work? It is listed as the direct fit. The other is the 2” column which fits as well.

it’s the direct fit. Not sure a bout the size.

 

[DirtDonk]

The direct fit is intended to work with stock steering wheels if desired. It’s not the spoke design, it’s the early versus late design that will give you trouble.
Because it’s based off a later model, using a horn relay, a 66 through 73 steering wheel will not work. And that includes an early 74 steering wheel, with the dual horn traces.
They will physically fit, but the horn will not function properly.
It’s intended to work with the single horn trace wheels, and single horn electrical contact in the column. So any mid-74 and later steering wheel should work.

 

[DirtDonk]

That’s essentially the only, or at least the main reason, that we do not list them as retrofitting 66 through 73 Broncos.
However, they literally bolt right in. They just need a little more tweakage with the wiring, and a little more thought going into the steering wheel choices.

 

[Bearhawk Builder]

Understood. So you're saying that the direct fit ididit column will accept the 66 - 73 wheel without modifications and the horn will work with an external horn relay? That appears to be what we see in the above picture.

 

[BGBronco]

This is the steering wheel in the picture. The horn does work.

66-77 Ford Bronco Sport Style Steering Wheel

Navigate with confidence with our '66-'77 Ford Bronco Sport Style Steering Wheel. Performance and style in one. Shop now at TOMS OFFROAD.

tomsoffroad.com

 

[DirtDonk]

Understood. So you're saying that the direct fit ididit column will accept the 66 - 73 wheel without modifications and the horn will work with an external horn relay? That appears to be what we see in the above picture.

No. It does not fit ANY factory 66 to 73 wheel.
It is designed for the late-74 to 77 wheel with the single horn trace to match the single horn contact button on the turn signal switch inside the column.
The direct fit column uses the late model turn signal switch with the integrated hazard switch, sticking out the side of the steering column. This is completely incompatible with an early wheel.
Including the first iteration of the 74 wheel with the double trace. Before Ford added a relay.

Yes, to the relay, however. It’s designed to fit a Bronco with a factory relay, OR an earlier Bronco retrofitted with a relay, and retrofitted with a steering wheel for a 74 and later Bronco.

 

[BGBronco]

No. It does not fit ANY factory 66 to 73 wheel.
It is designed for the late-74 to 77 wheel with the single horn trace to match the single horn contact button on the turn signal switch inside the column.
The direct fit column uses the late model turn signal switch with the integrated hazard switch, sticking out the side of the steering column. This is completely incompatible with an early wheel.
Including the first iteration of the 74 wheel with the double trace. Before Ford added a relay.

Yes, to the relay, however. It’s designed to fit a Bronco with a factory relay, OR an earlier Bronco retrofitted with a relay, and retrofitted with a steering wheel for a 74 and later Bronco.

All that said, it's a great column!

 

[1969miller]

glad you got it to work. i had figured out the work around to get the older 2 post horn to work with the newer single post turn signal switch (small tack weld connecting the inner and outer ring on the wheel), but every time i tested an older wheel on a direct fit column, it bound up against the column ring when fully tightened and would not turn. hence why i tell folks on the phone it wont fit.

 

[BGBronco]

glad you got it to work. i had figured out the work around to get the older 2 post horn to work with the newer single post turn signal switch (small tack weld connecting the inner and outer ring on the wheel), but every time i tested an older wheel on a direct fit column, it bound up against the column ring when fully tightened and would not turn. hence why i tell folks on the phone it wont fit.

Ok. This is an issue with my TO wheel as well. I did a light torque and have been wearing it down. not perfect but getting better.

 

[Bearhawk Builder]

No. It does not fit ANY factory 66 to 73 wheel.
It is designed for the late-74 to 77 wheel with the single horn trace to match the single horn contact button on the turn signal switch inside the column.
The direct fit column uses the late model turn signal switch with the integrated hazard switch, sticking out the side of the steering column. This is completely incompatible with an early wheel.
Including the first iteration of the 74 wheel with the double trace. Before Ford added a relay.

Yes, to the relay, however. It’s designed to fit a Bronco with a factory relay, OR an earlier Bronco retrofitted with a relay, and retrofitted with a steering wheel for a 74 and later Bronco.

I'm seeing where my confusion is now, So the wheel that is linked by the OP is not an early style factory wheel? It looks like one but I see the description is that it's smaller and although it doesn't say it must fit the direct fit column without modification. I thought by looking at it that it was a factory early wheel.
Thanks for the clarification.

 

[DirtDonk]

The initial title description in that link described it as a “66 to 77” steering wheel. Once you get inside, however, they separate into the two categories. One for 66 to 73, the other for 74 to 77.
The slim 2-spoke style (early) was carried over to 74, in both types. Early 74 models had no relay and used the same contact design as the 66-73 Broncos had. Later 74 models got a horn relay and the new contact design to match.
Outwardly, they look the same.
For a long time, you could not get this hybrid 74 steering wheel in the early style, but with the later horn contact.
Now they’re finally available.

So if ordering that specific steering wheel, just order one for the 74 and later Broncos, and it should go right on the direct fit column and function correctly without modification.
And if it is a little smaller in diameter, that seems a nice bonus.

 

[Bearhawk Builder]

I'm having trouble with this same set up, TBP sport style wheel for '74 and up and IDIDIT direct fit tilt column. Everything fits great but the wheel is interfering with the column hub when I tighten the wheel down. Seems like the shaft needs to extend up the column a little but I don't see any adjustment in this type of column. Called the vendor and they say everyone knows that wheel will not work with the tilt column Any ideas?

 

[Bearhawk Builder]

Does anyone else have this combination? Any fitment issues and solutions?

 

[Jetfixr320]

If I had a old steering wheel to use as a test piece, I would start shaving the bottom down to see if it could be made to work. If successful, I would then do the same to the shiny wheel. And then hopefully touch it up.

It look great but a little snug.

Goodluck

 

[Shimmy]

i just had this same issue on my 77; IDIDIT and TBP 14.5" reprod steering wheel. i ended up putting foil on the tapered shaft and then tightening down. it gave it enough clearance to not bind but still tighten down