need steering column info
#1
need steering column info
Hi, my truck is a 1988 Dakota 4x4. It has the GM Saginaw tilt steering column that had developed the typical loose and floppy tilt assembly. The other day I tore into it and found that I wasn't the first person to attempt this repair...
To make a long story short, a new steering column is going to be in order.
The design and construction of the stock column left a pretty bad taste in my mouth, so I'm curious what kind of aftermarket options I have. Is this a realistic idea or should I just get a stock replacement and hope it doesn't fail the same as my old one?
To make a long story short, a new steering column is going to be in order.
The design and construction of the stock column left a pretty bad taste in my mouth, so I'm curious what kind of aftermarket options I have. Is this a realistic idea or should I just get a stock replacement and hope it doesn't fail the same as my old one?
#2
#3
Aye, it is a good run.
Bad news, most of that is Dakota-specific according to my steering column guy.
They DO make after market columns (one brand I keep seeing is ididit ... not a recommendation, just a brand I keep seeing around!)
They don't make an exact fit column; you'll have to cipher out what wires where, how to connect this to that, etc.
All I can say is, "Lots of luck!" My column guy has a lot of spare parts; but he gets $300+ to rebuild a Dakota tilt column.
RwP
Bad news, most of that is Dakota-specific according to my steering column guy.
They DO make after market columns (one brand I keep seeing is ididit ... not a recommendation, just a brand I keep seeing around!)
They don't make an exact fit column; you'll have to cipher out what wires where, how to connect this to that, etc.
All I can say is, "Lots of luck!" My column guy has a lot of spare parts; but he gets $300+ to rebuild a Dakota tilt column.
RwP
#4
Thanks for the info, I figured that the wiring likely wouldn't be plug and play. I guess my biggest concern is getting it bolted in and drivable again. The truck has been kind of a driving project for a few years now and the colomn had always been a mess. The way I understand it they tend to be a ticking time bomb, is this a correct observation? My hope is that I won't have to do anything with it again for at least a very long time. Would there be any advantage from a restoration standpoint either way do you think?
#5
If you're restoring, it would be better to use the factory one rebuilt.
And actually, according to my steering column guy, they're better than most tilt wheels; they just tend to get misused and abused over the years.
OTOH, the new columns are supposedly wonderful in feel; it's all up to you at this point.
(I had mine rebuilt, but then, I also swapped some of the funds out by chasing some popups out of his computer. Barter is Wonderful.)
I almost forgot one possibility: Find a non-tilt column and swap that in.
RwP
And actually, according to my steering column guy, they're better than most tilt wheels; they just tend to get misused and abused over the years.
OTOH, the new columns are supposedly wonderful in feel; it's all up to you at this point.
(I had mine rebuilt, but then, I also swapped some of the funds out by chasing some popups out of his computer. Barter is Wonderful.)
I almost forgot one possibility: Find a non-tilt column and swap that in.
RwP
#6
#7
Yep, 87-90 Dakota with either a manual or automatic like yours. Thankfully, columns don't change 3speed/4speed autos.
Down side: NONE of the switches are the same.
Up side: It's a bolt in swap.
BTW, while it's out, check out my writeup on an intermediate shaft; turns out a purchased 12" double-D shaft will work fine, no need to trim an 18" shaft like I did.
RwP
Down side: NONE of the switches are the same.
Up side: It's a bolt in swap.
BTW, while it's out, check out my writeup on an intermediate shaft; turns out a purchased 12" double-D shaft will work fine, no need to trim an 18" shaft like I did.
RwP
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#8
Thanks for all the good information, this is my first Dakota so the technical details are much appreciated. I will make sure to check your write up on the intermediate shaft.
So far after about 2.5 years of driving it daily. I can easily say it's the favorite vehicle I've owned so it has been a real shame since I had this catastrophic failure lol
So far after about 2.5 years of driving it daily. I can easily say it's the favorite vehicle I've owned so it has been a real shame since I had this catastrophic failure lol