steering column swap

[johns78cutlass]

will a steering column out of an 85 cutlass work in a 78 cutlass they are both tilt the 85 has cruise and the 78 does not

 

[Blake442]

Probably not. While it will physically bolt in, there's a good chance that the wiring will be different since the '78-'81 cars have the wiper switch on the dash, and the '82-'88 cars have the wiper switch in the turn signal lever.

 

[johns78cutlass]

what out of what other gm cars will a steering column work

 

[Blake442]

Well, you've got a '78, so any '78-'81 G-body column will bolt right in.

 

[gs dewd]

Probably not. While it will physically bolt in, there's a good chance that the wiring will be different since the '78-'81 cars have the wiper switch on the dash, and the '82-'88 cars have the wiper switch in the turn signal lever.

Can he swap the electricals from the 78 to the 85 column?

 

[supercrackerbox]

The collapsable shaft that connects the steering column to the steering box is '78 specific. On my old '78 Regal, I swapped in a steering column from an '84 Monte Carlo, and had to get that shaft as well. Beyond that, it was plug and play- wiring included. The only differences will be if your car has cruise control, and if the wiper controls are on the signal stalk or on the dash.

 

[joe_padavano]

The collapsable shaft that connects the steering column to the steering box is '78 specific. On my old '78 Regal, I swapped in a steering column from an '84 Monte Carlo, and had to get that shaft as well. Beyond that, it was plug and play- wiring included. The only differences will be if your car has cruise control, and if the wiper controls are on the signal stalk or on the dash.

There is another difference beyond just the wiring. Starting in the early 1980s, GM did away with an electric neutral safety switch and instead used a mechanical interlock in the steering column between the lock cylinder and the electrical ignition switch.

 

[Blake442]

There is another difference beyond just the wiring. Starting in the early 1980s, GM did away with an electric neutral safety switch and instead used a mechanical interlock in the steering column between the lock cylinder and the electrical ignition switch.

I thought all '78-'88 G-bodies featured the mechanical lock... :?

 

[joe_padavano]

There is another difference beyond just the wiring. Starting in the early 1980s, GM did away with an electric neutral safety switch and instead used a mechanical interlock in the steering column between the lock cylinder and the electrical ignition switch.

I thought all '78-'88 G-bodies featured the mechanical lock... :?

You may be right. I've never checked one of the early G-bodies. I'll have to look at my 78 CSM.