1965 D1100 4x4 driver/project

[Gunfighter97]

Then I'll be ripping it apart tomorow lol. Im thinking, have been since purchase, I'm gona remove this column and somehow attach an original to the cab and convert the other end to jive with this box. Then I get my perty steering wheel and the correct signal switch, hopefully with a plug on it already lol. I have no experience in fabing columns, but I recon removing the upper end of this one(the part I look at), shortening an original(removing the part under the hood) and joining them together, then building a mount for the visible part under the dash would work. Or am I inviting bad things/comiting part genocide at that point?
*edit i am trying to put together a shopping list of what I need to do this. I will at some point, and I kinda want to just get it over with.

 

[Scoutboy74]

I think I'd retain that column. Its probably better than the original. It should accept an earlier wheel and perhaps even the turn signal lever if you were going for original looks. Inspect, clean, and/or replace the TSS and that should resolve your rear lighting issue.

 

[Gunfighter97]

You were right about the gunk.... Its strangely more gross recolecting your description but anyway, I couldn't resist I went back into the heat and haze and took it apart. Do you think I could perhaps, disassemble the indicated(c pic) housing and replace the "shell" with an older one? Didn't think of it untill just now but the column has the asthetic "tube" farther down towards the dash. Dont know what to do if the spline doesn't match the older wheel.

 

[Gunfighter97]

Couple more pics of it.

 

[Scoutboy74]

I don't know about that. Sounds like it could possibly be more complex and potentially riskier than stem cell replacement. I was thinking you could simply swap levers. That, along with the older wheel would give you the quasi "look", "feel" and "spirit" of the older column, while retaining the more functional guts that jive better with your updated steering system and body lift. The column essentially works well with your steering setup, yes? That is by far the most important consideration. Cosmetics should take a back seat to safety and function, I would think. I'm just cautioning you not to throw out the baby with the bath water, I guess is what it comes down to.

 

[Gunfighter97]

Define works well.... Problem is I don't have function or safety so I'm starting with cosmetics and improving things from there It will be obvious (I hope) weather the housing might fit. If not your idea is close enough second. In regards to "function and safety" straight ahead bearing zero in this thing, is with the wheel turned 20 degrees starboard. Theres about 25 degrees play in the system, and my driveway had a bump in it that pulls the whole front end aproximatly 12" to the left in less than 10 feet distance. Country roads at 45 mph is drunk simulator. Fortunately highways are flat enough to drive without any bumper bowling.

 

[Scoutboy74]

Oh. That doesn't sound so great. It will be interesting to see what solutions you come up with.

 

[Gunfighter97]

I will be diving down that rabbit hole once I get the wiring buttoned up. The list:
Tie rod ends
Drag link ends
End ends
More ends
Horizontal shock stabilizer thingy(missing)
And I probably could look at caster angle.
It is sposed to be angled back slightly or straight up and down? Seen both, also I know T case shaft and pinion alignment come into play I think?
I also want to figure out a solution to alow my tires enough space to turn right all the way (hits lower pitman arm joint at front inside edge of the tire)

 

[Gunfighter97]

Unfortunately my other steering wheel doesnt seem to have quite the same spline.... They seem real close but the column end is a bit too big. Is there any way out there to recut said spline? This wheel looks great in there, diameter of the back matches up with the colum well also. And the one that was in there was not attached all that well, so Im looking for a semi permanent fix.

 

[Scoutboy74]

IDK. Got any good machinists nearby?

 

[Gunfighter97]

maybe just maybe........ Incedentaly, I'll be helping out a friend who happens to be a machinist this week..... Stay tuned more to come!

 

[Gunfighter97]

Machinist said that the column spline isnt a great thing to mess with. Im still hopefull, theres roughly a 10 year gap between the wheel and this column, so maybe a later 60s wheel will work. For now however the benze is here to stay On the upside he did have a part recomendation for one of the mods I wanted down the road I took apart the signal switch this morning and (in gunsmith speak: its dirtier than a gummy ole' Winchester 06 in there(almost impossible to be that bad)) I think the problem is a film of gritty dielectric grease thats been baked on over the last few decades. I mapped the contacts and labled their coresponding wires and started playing with it, now that I have a better underatanding of how it works I think once Its cleaned up it will be ok. I also just got the new HL switch in the mail, it occurs to me that the one I have may be ok but I will try both. First impressions are good, switch feels real nice to operate, however its made in Taiwan so I'm sceptical. See pic

 

[Scoutboy74]

If nothing else, you can always get a D-line or SII wheel...same diff...which you know will fit. Not the look you're going for, but at least it's IH shizz.

 

[Gunfighter97]

Yea, they will be a close enough thirds... Didnt the loadstars keep the basic shell of this cab into the 70s? And also that four spoke wheel? Maybe just maybe, by that time they changed spline? I happen to know where a loadstar cab is with its column, wheel, and doors less than five minutes from my house. All I would have to do is pull the wheel and see if my adapter for the benze fits on the spline. Owner would likely give me a deal on the cab just to get it out of his yard lol probably would give me the wheel. I would need to see what year it is.

 

[Scoutboy74]

IDK@ that. The loudstars are out of my knowledge base. I'd wonder about wheel diameter difference between light and medium trucks. Maybe the same. IDK. I reckon you'll find out soon.

 

[Gunfighter97]

Grrrrrr forgot about that bigger diameter. I have a feeling that would interfere with entry/exit, and I'm skinny. I did some research and it sounds like the splines on all the 4 spoke wheels matches, maybe I can try the one out of my parts truck. Not my favorite but may work. I almost like the one thats in it now better than the original two spoke. Oh well beggers can't be choosers I guess. I don't have money to hire SpaceX to machine me a new column shaft.

 

[Gunfighter97]

Well, I cant confirm for sure but this column apears to have a lot of similarities to a Scout ii, so if you've ever wondered what was in your signal switch, here it is. Last is of my "adaptation" to my conector. It more or less all works now. Switch is a bit finicky, I have to push on the leaver back the other way a bit to keep both stop lights from disconecting at once. And I haven't had the guts to try the hazard button yet either. Whats funny is that I now know by heart where every terminal in that conector goes.

 

[Scoutboy74]

D-line and SII columns are similar in more ways than they are different and share many, but not all the same parts. Same wheels, same horn guts, sometimes even the same turn signal guts depending on exact model year. They're actually Saginaw columns, commonly found in GM vehicles of similar vintage. Do you remember what shape the molded plug was coming out of the column, or had that already been cut prior to your purchase?

 

[Gunfighter97]

That plug was gone and most of the battle of trying to figure out how it hooks up. Is that also true of this era truck? About the gm columns?

 

[Scoutboy74]

I don't know what the genesis of the earlier columns are, if they are proprietary IH or some third party provision.