Steering wheel / telescopic?

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Puddin

Not-quite-so-new-guy

Sep 22, 2024

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• Nov 3, 2024

• #1

Ok got this 1979 cutlass not long ago


the steering wheel I wish could be shorter torwards front of car. Looking around today I noticed I might just do that. I’m thinking it’s telescopic
it’s got a lever type thing
I push it down. Nothing happens
anyone know how these work ?


I don’t think it’s tilt steering

 

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ssn696

Living in the Past

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• Nov 3, 2024

• #2

Do you have a manual transmission? The column you have there is a non-tilt column from/for a manual floor shift. The lever is the key/off release. You should have to push down to turn the car off. This was a safety feature so that you could not remove the key, locking the steering while rolling and plow into a roadside attraction.

 

ssn696

Living in the Past

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Jul 19, 2009

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• Nov 3, 2024

• #3

Telescoping steering columns came in similar vintage Cadillacs, and it is possible to tear a G-body column down and swap in the tilt/ telescope mechanism, but beyond my skill level. You have to use the Caddie wheel with the slot for the adjustment lever.

 

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Puddin

Not-quite-so-new-guy

Sep 22, 2024

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• #4

Oh shoot. So you don’t think it’s a telescopic?

The lever in picture doesn’t do anything
Key comes off just like any other car

It’s been converted to manual transmission

 

pagrunt

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Sep 14, 2014

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• Nov 3, 2024

• #5

It also looks like you're missing the actual gauge cluster pod which would get rid of the expose part of the column that it would of covered & make it look like it doesn't have to be pushed forward.

 

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Puddin

Not-quite-so-new-guy

Sep 22, 2024

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• Nov 3, 2024

• #6

pagrunt said:

It also looks like you're missing the actual gauge cluster pod which would get rid of the expose part of the column that it would of covered & make it look like it doesn't have to be pushed forward.

Click to expand...

Not sure
I just find the steering wheel is to far out.
Wish it was more torwards the front

 

pagrunt

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Sep 14, 2014

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• Nov 3, 2024

• #7

Puddin said:

Not sure
I just find the steering wheel is to far out.
Wish it was more torwards the front

Click to expand...

Stock form they look like this. '78-'88 all used the same basic design.

 

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Puddin

Not-quite-so-new-guy

Sep 22, 2024

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• #8

pagrunt said:

Stock form they look like this. '78-'88 all used the same basic design.
View attachment 248051

Click to expand...

Is that one a telescopic?

 

565bbchevy

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Aug 8, 2011

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• Nov 3, 2024

• #9

Puddin said:

Is that one a telescopic?

Click to expand...

Gbody's only had a tilt option which is the shorter lever closest to the dash in the picture and did not have a telescopic steering column as an option.
Swapping to a tilt column with make it easier to get in and out of the car and you can adjust the angle to what is comfortable to you for driving.
As stated it looks like someone removed the part of the dash that sticks out and made their own recessed gauge set up

 

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Puddin

Not-quite-so-new-guy

Sep 22, 2024

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• Nov 3, 2024

• #10

565bbchevy said:

Gbody's only had a tilt option which is the shorter lever closest to the dash in the picture and did not have a telescopic steering column as an option.
Swapping to a tilt column with make it easier to get in and out of the car and you can adjust the angle to what is comfortable to you for driving.
As stated it looks like someone removed the part of the dash that sticks out and made their own recessed gauge set up

Click to expand...

Oh ok I got it