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Why oh Why

D

dosperros

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Sep 26, 2024
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Southern Wi
I recently purchased my 1985 Dodge D100. A former owner decided in their infinite wisdom that they should install a GM steering column in the truck and install a push button for the starter.. The only reason I can fathon are a) cool steering wheel, b) poverty or c) availability. WhenI received the truck, there was a perfectly rebuildable steering column for my truck laying in the back. I plan on restoring the original steering column and reinstalling. Can anyone out there think of a reason or benefit for making this move. Go figure!
 
is it tilt/ original one wasnt? Mopar did use some GM/Saginaw columns over the years
 
This one is not tilt. However if I had the tilt option, I would be happy with it. I'll keep an eye out for a tilt. this one was assembled in Warren Michigan.
 
Any idea what the column they installed is actually out of?
And, yeah. When your truck was new most Dodge trucks were built in that plant
 
A non-tilt Mopar column is so close to one of the General’s parts (and the tilt column is basically a GM part whole cloth) that it likely doesn’t matter.

I’d check to see if the one you have has slipped at the shear “pin” in the collapsing shaft which can cause a lot of issues and its isn’t really completely obvious as to what is going on except the column is floppy and the shift linkage starts to get wonky.

Even when the injected plastic has broken, you often can’t tell it’s not rigid without some significant force, but it will end up moving from the lower bearing/seal spring just slightly.

I’ve “repaired” some of these to like-new using some Loctite product that was originally used for the repair in an old Mopar TSB, but then that TSB was cancelled likely due to the risk of the column not collapsing in a head on crash.
 
Thanks. I am learning to live with it. No way to engage cruise control but I can live without it.
 
A GM cruise unit would probably be a simple install.

GM stuff is the default in the hotrod community after all.
 
nblanton said:
GM stuff is the default in the hotrod community after all.
Click to expand...
The previous owner's cousin probably had some leftover parts from a previous mangled Hot Rod project and decided to use them.

Also it may have been because a GM steering column is easier to adapt to modern power steering boxes - there are more options available.
 
To think I once put a Chrysler column in a GM product. Op's it only looked GM

But yes, my 82 Ram has the GM tilt column. GM parts are much cheaper. Like less than $10 for the upper column bearing that Dodge suppliers were wanting $50 and up for.

85 Dodge used a funky ignition system. Even more so than the dreaded lean burn. Dam EPA anyway.
 
nblanton said:
A non-tilt Mopar column is so close to one of the General’s parts (and the tilt column is basically a GM part whole cloth) that it likely doesn’t matter.

I’d check to see if the one you have has slipped at the shear “pin” in the collapsing shaft which can cause a lot of issues and its isn’t really completely obvious as to what is going on except the column is floppy and the shift linkage starts to get wonky.

Even when the injected plastic has broken, you often can’t tell it’s not rigid without some significant force, but it will end up moving from the lower bearing/seal spring just slightly.

I’ve “repaired” some of these to like-new using some Loctite product that was originally used for the repair in an old Mopar TSB, but then that TSB was cancelled likely due to the risk of the column not collapsing in a head on crash.
Click to expand...
The original one in my 85 was like that. And missing a bunch of hardware and screws under that steering wheel. I lucked into a good 82 column from a buddy, and put my new ignition switch (both key part and ignition lock part) in that 82 column and "just like New" now
 
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