68-70 Steering Column fix / upgrade, possible or not

[Chryslerdude]

Hi fellow Charger Guys   

The steering column in my 68 is VERY tired.. especially, after the previous owner converted to floor shifter, and in the process seems to have "sawed / hacked out" a little more "column-shifter-parts" than he ought to have.

Very sad indeed, but after the tears has dried out, I am still in need of a new column.

To turn this potentially sad situation, into something good.. I thought of "upgrading" the column to a 1970, thus getting the modern advantages of the steering wheel lock. BUT.. I seem to remember something about the brackets being located in different places on the 70 column, and maybe even other differences in the parts.

Has anyone here done this conversion, and know what it entails ?  Also, I am VERY interested, in buying such a column.   

Thnx in advance ppl's!
440 Greetings,
Kasper

[70 sublime]

I have a 70 car and when I got it it had an older 68 69 style column in it
Someone just screwed a horn button to the dash to start it with as there was no key for the ignition  

So that being said all the bolts that hang down under the dash the column hooks up to are in the same position as on a 68 and 69

Only thing I am not 100 % sure on is the black bracket that bolts to the under side of the column that goes up to the underside of the dash is the same or not

I have parts from 68 to 74 laying around and the black bracket looks the same (almost) but they are not all the same so I am not sure which one I ended up using

You will still have to sort through the wiring to get the electric part of the key to work but it should be very doable

[Chryslerdude]

Hey 70Sublime

Thanks a million for your positive answer.. and information !

I will definitely go for "the modern solution" then... ;-)

[b5blue]

Keep in mind you'll end up with 2 key sets. One in the column and the one on the dash. The floor shifter linkage is costly for both the transmission and transmission to column lock. Do your research on all the parts involved as it can add up quickly.     

[Chryslerdude]

Thanks B5Blue

Well.. the floor shifter is successfully installed already, so actually, I just need the column. (or is there a lock-link, from the column to the floor shifter originally, that i don't know about?)

I plan to "re-code" ignition lock, to fit the door cylinders... I got plenty keys already !

A very experienced and industrious Mopar friend here in Denmark, heard about my "column quest", and suggested to modify a even never "Dodge van column", as that would ad "tilt-wheel" to the modern amenities, so that's another option to consider, if I fail to find a nice 70 floor shifter column.  (No luck yet)

(I hope I got that "A-word" right, both in regard to spelling and meaning ;-)

Thanks again guys, for your input and information.. Lovely !!!

Kind rgds,
Kasper

[b5blue]

This:   http://www.ebay.com/itm/727-AUTO-TRANS-LOCKOUT-LINKAGE-70-AAR-CUDA-CHALLENGER-charger-roadrunner-gtx-/111320704520

[Chryslerdude]

Thanks again, (and sorry for my late reply, but I got stuck in some work again)..

OK.. I didn't see that one coming, but than again.. when I think a little, both my 1970 300's had gear lock as well.

Maybe, I should consider snatching that one up? 

Are these rarely seen on FeeBay ? 

[b5blue]

Any one year assembly is "kinda" rare, one key aspect is getting every bit and piece of it. I think that is most of it but not all? (That was just an example to get you started.)
  That person sells here as rave12000 and sold me a pair of wiper arms. I was clear about needing very good condition and one was junk. Thinking it was a mistake I contacted him and was given the brush off. (I had previous dealing that had been okay with him.)
   Research exactly everything before buying anything, you could spend a lot of time and money looking for just a few key bits to complete what your doing. Someone may have a blowup of all the stuff to help.   

[70 sublime]

If your whole idea was to just get the steering to lock it will work fine without the extra transmission lock part
You do not have the transmission lock now so no big deal if it dosen't after your conversion   

[Chryslerdude]

Thanks to both of you guys.. Very precise, and fulfilling answers, shining lights on new aspects of this, that I didn't think of myself.

I will definitely try to find a blow up, and see what parts are needed before buying.. (Thnx for the heads up ;-).

In regard to making the conversion complete as originally intended, AND taking into consideration, just how much money has been spent on the conversion (plus shipping and import tax) already, I think I will eventually go all the way, and restore the gear lock aswell..

On the other hand, I don't think it's gonna matter much, in case some loser really wants to steal the car, so I am also installing the best alarm I can get my hands on..

Thanks again to both of you, I really appreciate your answers !!   

..and sorry for my typo (then / than) in my previous post !!