Just traded for an 84 power wagon, don't even have it home yet. 318 s/b auto. Air cruise tilt, have big plans but need to get a few things tuned up first.

The tilt column is mush, you can grab the wheel andpush it around, ignition switch won't turn and key is stuck, need to jump the solenoid to start it. I have access to a few wrecks I can probably scam a non-tilt column.

How big of a deal is it to swap columns? What years are compatible? Can I swap the cruise (on turn signal) to a column that didn't already have it?

Thanks

 

I would shop around first to find a matching(tilt or non does'nt matter)column before getting just any one for simplicity,but snaking some wiring should not be a big issue.
Swapping is not difficult,compatability year to year not sure.

 

a friend of mine has an 85'ish dodge pickup. his steering wheel was flopping around like crazy. we used a steering wheel puller and removed the wheel. removed another little cover or something. this exposed a bearing assembly that was supposed to hold things together, but was busted. he bought a new bearing and we put it back together good as new. i think the bearing was about $50 or so. if you do this be SURE and put the bearing in the right way. my friend had paid someone to do this job a year or so ago. they put the bearing in backwards was why it was broke.

 

I would pull it apart and check each problem for a possible easy fix.

 

I like that idea, If I can't fix it it had to come out anyway.