I've done a search and haven't found any one explaining whether a more contemporary steering column with tilt would fit in a first gen.

Has anyone done this or know where else I could look?

THanks guys.

well, it would be pretty easy ot put a 70's column in a 69- as they had the same design with the key on the column. but the 67's and 68's had a differnet column with the key on the dash.
i personally want to put a newer tilt column in my Nova with the dimmer and wiper contols on the turn signal lever, but just haven't gotten around to seeing what all is involved.

yeah, wiring is my biggest concern. I figure mounting it shouldn't be too hard, just some fabrication (at least in theory).

This kid is parting out an IROC and I planned on using the steering box, if I can get the column at a cheap price I'll try it.

many later GM tilt columns will fit. I would look for one with a splined end by the steering box, and use a Tilt coupler available from parts suppliers. Many later columns have a small shaft and through bolt connection, I do not knopw of any easy way to connect these to the gearbox. The other area of concern is the shift linkage, or trans lock linkage. This is relativelly easy to reposition by relocating the tab as required and welding it into place. The dimmer on the column is also possible. I do not know if it is available on a splined column, but the parts will bolt onto an earlier tilt column.

Hey thanks for replying.
To give you some more info:
I am planning on using an IROC steering box and an IROC column so mating the two shouldn't be a problem. I am worried about the wiring. I'm not too experienced with wiring, and to make it even more troublesome- I am putting an LS1 w/ a T56 for the drivetrain.

If anyone has any input on the wiring I would really appreciate it.

well, I bought a 4th gen column with the hopes of using it.
first, it's about 2 inches longer, plus it has the straight shaft with the hole. you could cut the end off and weld on a u-joint/rag-joint, but it still adds another inch or two. so you're looking at 3-4 longer, which is too much.

the mounting bracket and boot have to be cut off. the nail in the coffin, was the ignition/dimmer linkage which hits the pedal hanger.
oh well, not a total loss, I'll use the wiper switch from it for my 4th gen wiper motor

as for the wiring, the painless LS1 harness is piece of cake, the harness for the rest of the car is more difficult, being that you have a lot of wires that don't get used because of the LS1.
anyway, good luck

I'm not too worried about wiring for the LS1, but wiring the IROC column to the car rather.
Does anyone know how I could go about converting the wiring?

Actually for a '69 the wiring is not hard. The turn signal and ignition switch connections are the same, the dimmer switch simply needs to have the wires lengthened. Intermittant wipers and cruise control would need more work and figuring. The hard part is the coupler at the gearbox.

'67 & 68 are a lot different and newer columns will not directly fit.

TTFN
Mat

yeah, I've got a 68.
Do you think it is worth even trying? or do you think it would be more trouble than it's worth?

I have done it and in my opinion it is more trouble than it is worth. The biggest issue is the ignition would be on the column and what do you do with the switch and hole. The area under the gage cluster needs opening and the lower trim needs modification. to get this to work is difficult. Actually the wiring is almost the easy part because GM color codes are fairly consistant between the two years.

TTFN
Mat

How many hours total do you think it took you to do it?

Good question. It was about 18 years ago. It was several long evenings on a car that was being rebuilt. I would guess about 6-12 hours. Be prepared to work around the various fit up problems. There were several annoyances that occured, I cannot remember some of them, But I do remember saying that it would not be worth doing it again. On the other hand If you are good at, or enjoy, fabricating special parts for a special car. The best way would be to remove the column and the dash, then trial fit the new column. I would also try to find an old dash to play with. Go to the junk yard and grab a section of a newer wiring harness and try it out.

TTFN
Mat

Mat,
Just for clarification, what column did you put in what year car?
And thanks for your help

The column was not really a specific one, rather it was built up from lots of parts. 1969 and later GM cars use basically the same column. the shaft going to the gearbox is splined on'69 camaros and this part is easiest to use. The top portion was from a mid 80's car with the dimmer switch on it. The ignition lock lever was modified to fit. All of this was put into a 1967 Camaro.

TTFN
Mat