steering column interchange
#1
#4
The ones for a 4x4 may be different than the 2 wheel ones. I believe the one in my 79 bronco,which i sold, was different than the one in my 79 2 wheel drive s.c. I just changed out a 73 , three on the tree for a 78 auto shifter. Fit was okay I just had to use all of the 78 trim with it as it is different than the 73 ,including the seal around it as it goes though the firewall. I never noticed that part was different until i had it bolted in. I changed the coupling that connects it to the steering box to a " Borgeson" u-joint , looks a lot better . Tilt columns have there own trim too ,different that the others. I have one of those I'm saving for a future project.
#5
I replaced my 75 with a 79. Both non-tilt. The big difference is the firewall cover is on the inside for the 79. I kept the cover on the outside also. This meant clearancing the top of the inside cover to allow the outside cover bolts to come through and allow the inside cover to lay flat. There were no other issues with fit, wiring or linkage. Hope this helps.
#7
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#8
Here's how I think about the Dent side Steering columns, I recently just rebuilt my column. I'm no parts expert, so here goes.
There is a difference between all Manual and Auto, so theres 2 kinds,
There's a difference between 2wd and 4wd, each come in Man and Auto, so there's 4 kinds.
There's a difference between 73-77 and 78-79, again each in Manual or Auto and 2 or 4 wd, so there are 8 different columns.
Not counting Tilts or 3 on the tree's.
I don't think there's a difference between 150's and 250's. But Maybe. Hiboys different?
Keep with in one of the 8 and I bet it is a sure fit.
The inner shaft bottom spline is different bewteen 73-77 and 78-79. The later has a flat on the spline. See the 1st picture. This means the new column would filt in the older truck but if you put an older column in the new truck the round spline would not fit in the "D" shaped hole. As mentioned above there also a difference with these years with the Dash cover design and the firewall seal. The older units have a much beefier firewall seal plate mount, which utilyze a clamp around the column outside the fire wall. The tube diameter and lengths between the years are the same.
The 2wd has a flange welded on the shaft bottom vs. a spline shaft on 4wd. see the 2nd pic.
The 3rd picture shows different shafts. The bottom shaft is from a 79 2wd Manual . The middle shaft is either a 78 or 79 4wd Auto. See how big the diameter near the wheel is. You can also see the plastic cover that fits to the dash. Now the top column is a 73-77 4wd manual. I happen to like the slimmer diameter near the wheel. It uses the metal cover to wrap around the bottom of the column instead of the plastic cover. I just like the old school look.
I have a 79 truck and I rebuilt the 73-77 manual column with a newer inner shaft to fit my truck.
Hope this helps.
Im sure there's stuff I'm missing.
There is a difference between all Manual and Auto, so theres 2 kinds,
There's a difference between 2wd and 4wd, each come in Man and Auto, so there's 4 kinds.
There's a difference between 73-77 and 78-79, again each in Manual or Auto and 2 or 4 wd, so there are 8 different columns.
Not counting Tilts or 3 on the tree's.
I don't think there's a difference between 150's and 250's. But Maybe. Hiboys different?
Keep with in one of the 8 and I bet it is a sure fit.
The inner shaft bottom spline is different bewteen 73-77 and 78-79. The later has a flat on the spline. See the 1st picture. This means the new column would filt in the older truck but if you put an older column in the new truck the round spline would not fit in the "D" shaped hole. As mentioned above there also a difference with these years with the Dash cover design and the firewall seal. The older units have a much beefier firewall seal plate mount, which utilyze a clamp around the column outside the fire wall. The tube diameter and lengths between the years are the same.
The 2wd has a flange welded on the shaft bottom vs. a spline shaft on 4wd. see the 2nd pic.
The 3rd picture shows different shafts. The bottom shaft is from a 79 2wd Manual . The middle shaft is either a 78 or 79 4wd Auto. See how big the diameter near the wheel is. You can also see the plastic cover that fits to the dash. Now the top column is a 73-77 4wd manual. I happen to like the slimmer diameter near the wheel. It uses the metal cover to wrap around the bottom of the column instead of the plastic cover. I just like the old school look.
I have a 79 truck and I rebuilt the 73-77 manual column with a newer inner shaft to fit my truck.
Hope this helps.
Im sure there's stuff I'm missing.
#11
You could ask this question in the 1987/96 F150/350 & 1997 F250 H/D and F350 forum.
But, I doubt that any Explorer column will fit an F series truck, as both vehicles are completely different.
The Explorer originally was based off the Bronco II that was introduced in 1984. The Bronco II was based off the mid-sized Ranger pickup introduced March 1982 as a 1983 model.
#13
Well that 1st pic is an early 66-77 Bronco for sure. The steering column (shaft) in my 71 looks original (but not 100% confirmed), and it does NOT have the slip shaft set up, that compresses if in an front end collision.
I have the flex (rag) joint right on the splined part coming out the fire wall and the u joint connects to the input shaft on the steering box. The FTE EB site has some traffic, but this site is chock full of EB gurus. https://classicbroncos.com/forums/index.php
I have the flex (rag) joint right on the splined part coming out the fire wall and the u joint connects to the input shaft on the steering box. The FTE EB site has some traffic, but this site is chock full of EB gurus. https://classicbroncos.com/forums/index.php