Steering column donors / upgrades?

[pcf_mark]

I am converting to a column shifted automatic with my 4R70W project. Before I commit a pile of money to a rebuilt column and new lower shaft with joints are there other options? I would love a tilt column and a smaller wheel. I am ok with building up a lower shaft to adapt to the power steering box and the column if needed. I guess I could use a 60's era Mustang column for a plain old column shift functionality.

Let me know what you Pick-n-Pull experts have upgraded to please!

 

[Whoaa]

I choose to buy an Idiot brand tilt column and use a smaller diameter aftermarket wheel. No doubt there are less expensive ways to go, but I sure like this setup.

 

[pcf_mark]

Wow that is really nice! What did you need to do under the hood to mate to the steering box?

 

[Whoaa]

Wow that is really nice! What did you need to do under the hood to mate to the steering box?

^.......I relied on the experts at WH. I didn't want to have a bunch of parts that didn't fit together right or wasn't safe. So basically I ask them a bunch of questions, researched it, and then after about a week of thinking on it I just called them and ordered everything.

Ultimately I wanted a Bronco that drove perfect, maybe I went overboard...but without making *everything* new/rebuilt I felt like I wouldn't really have a baseline of what might be "wrong" in my mission for a perfect driving machine. New steering wheel, column, shaft, steering box, tie-rods / drag link/ pitman arm, tires/wheels, ect......

That said, you can just call the experts, tell em' what you have and what you want, and they'll send the right parts that fit the first time. Its so nice to drive it w/ confidence and ease....and spend more time driving it than working on it, LOL.

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/Ididit_Columns

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/Bronco_Steering_Shafts

 

[DanHall]

Aint cheap but I did basically the same thing but from Tom's. It is a Flaming River column instead of Ididit. Just put the steering box info, input diameter and spline count, in the notes and they'll match the lower shaft ouput.

They have a cable adapter kit to get to the AOD/4R70W, it is a Lokar kit.

 

[pcf_mark]

OK new I see and it looks awesome. But I was hoping something I could pull from a yard?

Anyone?

 

[Steve83]

. . . . . . .

 

[pcf_mark]

Steve now THAT is what I am talking about!

Any info for the connection under the hood to the power steering box?

 

[Steve83]

I pulled the '88 (telescoping) intermediate shaft apart, did some measuring with the old (non-telescoping) intermediate shaft & the new column, then took them to a machine shop. They cut the old shaft to the correct length & machined a couple of grooves into it so the anti-rattle spring from the new (unneeded) lower would fit, and I slid them together to make a unique intermediate shaft that telescopes, but fits the old steering box & the new column.

 

[pcf_mark]

Sounds like I need to get the parts in my hands to see how it works.

 

[pcf_mark]

I scored a winner at the yard I think. 79 Ford E series van. No tilt / tele but no key either as the van key was on the dash like our trucks. I took everything to the steering box and the full wiring as far back as I could cut it after the union. The wheel is cracked but I would have replaced it anyway. $35...

Anyone who has fit one of these to a Bronco want to chime in with some tips? Also any tips on the wiring from my 68 too this column?

Thanks!

 

[TonyPDX]

I put a write up on the E-series swap up over on BroncoFix several years ago that should be helpful.

Regards, Tony

 

[pcf_mark]

Thanks I think I found it but user name was nothing like "Tony" so maybe I did not.

http://www.broncofix.com/viewtopic.php?t=270380 sharing the link for clarity hopefully I do not get reprimanded classicbroncos is the only site for me!

What happens under the hood? Do you use the old Bronco intermediate shaft?

 

[TonyPDX]

You found it... John is the Broncofix admin who posted on the site. I found the original word document if you want it. The Word version is a little easier to read.

For the lower shaft I got a slip joint for a Freightliner COE and swapped the yokes to match. I didn't cover that in the write up because people don't generally have access to that part.

Regards, Tony

 

[pcf_mark]

OK thanks I'll see what is on the end of this column and what I have under the hood to see what I have to mix and match.

 

[pcf_mark]

This is a three part question - thanks for sticking with me

1) I matched the wires on the Bronco to the wiring on the 79 E series and came away with three wires that do not match on the E series column and 2 on the Bronco wiring. The third E series wire is "extra" which is the four way flasher I think but the other two are different! Any wiring harness diagrams for both?


2) What is the spline on the steering box (stock Bronco PS box) so I can order a U joint to build my lower shaft

3) What are good donors for a steering wheel for the '79 and later columns? Mustang?

 

[DirtDonk]

This is a three part question - thanks for sticking with me

1) I matched the wires on the Bronco to the wiring on the 79 E series and came away with three wires that do not match on the E series column and 2 on the Bronco wiring. The third E series wire is "extra" which is the four way flasher I think but the other two are different! Any wiring harness diagrams for both?


2) What is the spline on the steering box (stock Bronco PS box) - stock is 13/16" x 36 spline. FR1719

3) What are good donors for a steering wheel for the '79 and later columns? Mustang?

Not sure of the other two questions yet, but see the answer to #2 in RED

Paul

 

[pcf_mark]

Thank you I did not pull the old lower shaft off yet and wanted to order the u-joints. The wiring has me a more concerned I'll post up the wire colors when I get home in case someone can shed some light on it.

 

[TonyPDX]

Mark, shoot me your email address I will send you the Word document with the table in it. Maybe that will help... Nokes.Tony AT Gmail. com

Wiring instructions:
For 1975 and later Broncos the plugs should just be plug and play.
For earlier Broncos:
1. Cut original wire plug off old column with ~6” of the wires
2. Disassemble the male electrical connector that you picked up with the tilt column
a. Remove the red piece of plastic from the center of the connector
b. Use a small screwdriver to release the pins and pull them out from the back
c. Use a small screwdriver to uncrimp the electrical terminals and remove the remaining wire
3. Solder the tilt column terminal ends to the pigtail cut from the original column.
4. Using the wiring diagrams plug the terminals back into the gray connector in the appropriate places. Reinstall the red piece of plastic in the center of the connector
5. Plug pigtail back into the column.

Function EB Connector Column
Brake Lights RD/BK RD/BK GRN
Left Front GRN/WHT GRN/WHT GRN/WHT
Power To Signals BLU BLU BLU
Right Rear GRN GRN ORG/BLU
Left Rear YL/BK YL/BK GRN/RD
Power To Emerg Flashers WHT/RD WHT/RD
To Horn BLU/YL BLU/YL YL/BLU
Light For Shift Lever BLU/RD BLU/RD
Horn Power YL BLU/BK DK BLU
Right Front WHT/BLU WHT/BLU WHT/BLU

 

[DirtDonk]

Edited my last post to include the Flaming River part number for a yoke/joint with 13/16" splines on one end, and a 3/4 double-D on the other. Not sure what you're going to need at the shaft end, as you might already have a 3/4" x 36 spline shaft, or you might have a full 3/4" round.
If it's round, then that's an easy fix, by grinding two flats into it to match the DD yoke.

Paul