cloumn to floor conversion

[EMCD]

My 1972 cuda has the column shift and I want to switch it to a floor console. How hard is this to do ? how much should all the used parts cost?

[brads70]

I did this on my Challenger. Hard to say what it will cost? Depends on what you get the parts for? $400 or more?

You will need ,
a steering column
shifter and linkages, levers,arms, shifter handle
shifter indicator
wiring to light up gear indicator
weld shifter and console brakets on the floor
Console
Just pick away at parts( swap meets, or here, E-bay etc) till you have everything!
You might luck out and find someone who is converting to a 4 speed and get it all in one go?
Post something in the "parts wanted" section and see what comes up?

[the_engineers]

I converted mine to an aftermarket Hurst Pro-Matic shifter (hidden inside of a 4-speed hump), so all I had in it was the cost of the column and the pistol grip handle (and the hump, I guess)

Grips were off at the time, but you get the idea.

[dodj]

If you have a tight budget, you can 'get by' with just acquiring a floor shifter (newer type or original) and maybe a console. You can leave the column shift steering column in. Just remove the shifter handle and disconnect the column linkages. Then hook up the floor shifter. Not nearly as aesthetic and you will definitely want to replace the column eventually though. 

[EMCD]

so i need the whole stearing column to? how much do those run? is there an aftermarket?

[brads70]

so i need the whole stearing column to? how much do those run? is there an aftermarket?

Usually $100-$150. Floor shifter column doesn't have the gear indicator or shifter arm.I guess you could just take the shifter arm off. Just wouldn't look right? But I'm fussy that way? 

[the_engineers]

A couple of other options:
1. Cordoba floor shift column - gives you tilt and keeps it all Mopar. Look @ eBay or car-part.com
2. Aftermarkter ididit column. Easier to find, but costly.

[EMCD]

so i picked up the console and all the mounting brackets, shifter and all the rods and mechanicals for $350. Now, i just need the steering column and get someone to help me convert it over. I don't have a welder. so I'll have to farm out the bracket mounting.

[brads70]

A couple of other options:
1. Cordoba floor shift column - gives you tilt and keeps it all Mopar. Look @ eBay or car-part.com

Brooks, great idea! Never heard that one! Is it a plug and play? Just bolts in and the wiring too? ( plugs in?)
 

[dodj]

Brooks, great idea! Never heard that one! Is it a plug and play? Just bolts in and the wiring too? ( plugs in?)
 

A member here had a complete 'how to' somewhere on the site. I'm thinking either Goody or ShelbyDogg.

Found a thread, ShelbyDogg has done this conversion
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=52156.0

[brads70]

A member here had a complete 'how to' somewhere on the site. I'm thinking either Goody or ShelbyDogg.

Found a thread, ShelbyDogg has done this conversion
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=52156.0

Cool! learn something new every day around here!

[EMCD]

awesome. thanks for all your guidance

[EMCD]

what year cordoba should i get the column from? Is there more mods needed to make the column work?

[the_engineers]

The bigger ones...74 to 79 or so.  What was that...M-bodies?

[ShelbyDogg]

If you look on page 9 of my resto thread, it shows how I used the coupler but shortened the shaft.

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=44869.120

You'll have to be able to weld though to make the mount to bolt it to the dash, and weld the shorter shaft on the coupler end.

The coupler (rag-joint) can only be used with a small block.  With my big block, I welded the shaft together, eliminating the rag joint.

The other post has some columns that should work.

 CHARGER 77-78 Floor Shift; w/tilt wheel
CORDOBA 77-79 Floor Shift; w/tilt wheel
DODGE PASS. 77-78 Floor Shift; w/tilt wheel
MAGNUM 78-79 Floor Shift; w/tilt wheel
PLYMOUTH PASS. 77-78 Floor Shift; w/tilt wheel

Hollander Interchange #: 238-845
158385

If you need pinouts, I can draw a wiring diagram to make your GM tilt column work. Try to find one without the hi/low beam switch contained in the turn signal assembly.