Tilt steering

[D150dude]

ok another question. Will a tilt colum from the late 80s early 90s Ram fit my 81?

 

[crazzywolfie]

physically yes. electrically not likely. the 88 and newer trucks had lots of difference changes. you can make it work but you will likely need to do some custom wiring to make it all work.

 

[D150dude]

So I’d be good then for anything 87 or older

 

[crazzywolfie]

might be. there could be differences in connectors but most of it should be the same. just the 88 and newer are a lot more different with the multi function turn signal switches.

 

[reek]

from personal experience, I can tell you that the wiring changed even from 73 to 78. when I rebuilt my columns, the wiring colors and connectors were completely different. However, If you bought the correct year harness, you could easily 'retrofit' a different column (for 80 and older trucks atleast)

 

[crazzywolfie]

you can also get a newer column to work also. it is more so just a matter of how much work you want to do or if you want the extra switches just sitting there on not. you could always hook them up and make them work. some days i wouldn't mind upgrading my 81 so that there is not that much a difference between all 3 of my dodges.

 

[D150dude]

Yesterday I went to the local scrap yard and got a few pieces to keep on hand, I also took the tilt steering out of an 89, my plan here is to keep the wiper in the original spot and just use the turn signal not going to use cruise or the wiper function, can I replace the turn switch with the original out of the 81?

 

[crazzywolfie]

no unfortunately the parts are all different so they can't be swapped

 

[D150dude]

I’ll make it work, these trucks are hard to find around here

 

[crazzywolfie]

at least in the future if you want to ad something like delayed wipers it should be easier. i have been thinking about converting my 81 to the newer style steering column just so it is much more similar to my 89/93

 

[D150dude]

Thanks for the info