Steering Column - Recommendations?

I am in the build of my 30 Model A Tudor and am looking for good steering column recommendations. Are there new plain steel columns I can buy? I see stainless and chrome ones. But would like it to be a bit cheaper. I don't want a tilt column just a straight clean column. Please give me you input! Thanks in Advance!

 

One of the first tilt/telescoping columns out was off of a '63/'64 Cadillac. They're period-correct for a '60s ride, but the columns and wheels look more '50s than anything. Just make sure to get the horn ring and wheel (they're different than the non-tilt versions), along with the external turn signal switch as well.

~Jason

 

A steering column form a early to mid 60s chevy truck is a clean one. And they are everywhere, and easy to modify.

 

Lime Works has a couple of good, basic ones. At least check it out first. I like their quality so far.........

 

Corvairs had a thin, clean column.

 

I bought a plain steel one from Limeworks that I'm very happy with.
They offer them in different lengths, and very reasonable.

 

I make mine from 1-1/2" stainless tubing, flare the top end with a big gasket punch. It looks like a stainless early Ford column. Use a new top bushing from Mac's. It will fit in a Mooneyes column drop. The shaft has a graphed top piece from an early Ford shaft attached to a splined shaft to the lower u-joint.

 

Bearing supply shops and Tractor Supply have flanged bearings designed for wheel barrows. They have a 3/4 ID and fit inside a 1 1/2 tube. I use them exclusively. About $2. They are sealed ball bearings

 

Here ya go..

 

Chev vans from the 70's had a keyless column although most would have a shifter on them. The shifter can be taken off and smoothed over. Column can then be shortened to whatever lenght you need. Much cheaper than buying a new aftermarket

 

An aluminum softball bat with the ends cut off, a shaft through the center, a bearing on the bottom and use an old pickup signal bell at the top along with the top bearing. Looks good and works well if done right, plus you can have signals. Leave the bat's logo on the side and really make people wonder.

 

what else came with telescoping columns ?

 

Vette

 

65-68 Mustang / Falcon / Fairlane

No lumps, bumps, knobs, or switches. Just smooth, with a turn signal lever.

 

Tommy how are these? Do you have one? Thats pretty cheap for a new column. Does it come with everything shown in the picture? And can I get different lengths or is that it?

 

How tough would it be to add a different wheel to a Caddy tilt/tele column? When you move the wheel in and out, what covers up the part that travels? This would be for a '76. Are they a lot different from the early ones? Maybe removing the shifter and key and putting a new skin around the column would make it not look so "modern" and still give room for a fat guy with short arms in a little roadster.

 

I like the old 30s Ford or Chevy columns. You can usually pick them up cheap on the Gay and they accept most of the early splined steering wheels. You could also just make one as has been mentioned on here with some tube and solid shaft. I'm not a fan of the bulky plastic columns with tilt. Depends on what look you're going for. Here's the column in my 30' Tudor.

 

I had picked up an early ford column for my 32 but when I found my boat wheel it didn't match up to the column. I ended up going with a piece of exhaust tubing I had lying around with a bronze bushing on the steering wheel end.

 

I bought mine from Speedway Motors chrome around $120.00 nice piece

 

I would look in junkyard cars from the 50's-60's if cost is your main concern. You can find some clean, good looking columns there.

 

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/2042,,_Hot-Rod-Steering-Column.html?itemNo=column
thats a pretty nice looking column

 

I would say just get some tubing and make one.

Me-oh