I have searched the archives for the past 30 minutes and i can not find a specific answer. Can anyone tell me the defference between a 66 and a 67 tilt column? And what would have to be done to a 67 to make it work correctly in a 66. Both column and car are floor shift. Someone told me once the only difference was the mounting bracket, but from what i have read in the archives ther seems to be more then that. I need the snswer a.s.a.p because i can get a real good deal on a 67 tilt column, but i have to act fast. Thank you all in advance for your help.

67s are collapsible (very good safety feature) but it requires swapping the whole dash to a 67 for it to work. I did this on my wife's '66 wagon, just for the safety of the collapsible column.

If it's a great deal, buy it and swap with somebody for their '66 tilt. There must be someone out there with a '66 who needs a '67.

I think I was told at one time that the 67 tilt column is much easier to find than the 66. Anyone know if this is true? I have located a few in the past, but was under the impression that the 66 demands much more money.

The '67 column is entirely different than a '66. It is a "collapsible" column whaer a '66 is rigid. The '67 column has a completely different turn signal switch which includes emergency flashers. The '67 column is attached to the dash via 3 bolts in sliding inserts that break away in the event of a collision and the column collapses. The '66 column mounts to the dash via a strap around the mast jacket bolted to the bottom of the dash. As was stated, a '67 column can be used in a '66 but the whole '67 dash assembly needs to used to allow for column bolt-up. The opening in the dash where the column sets is larger on the '67 due to the '67 column mast jacket being larger diameter.
It's my opinion that the '66 tilt columns are harder to find than '67 versions. I've converted a late '70s van column to fit a '66. It was quite a bit of work but it looked 90% original and upgraded the car to emergency flashers and a better turn signal setup.

Overall the 1967 -68 first generation, energy absorbing steering column was not all that good. It had a mesh jacket that collapsed on itself as the column collapsed. It was a good safety improvement.

Unfortunately that mesh jacket also made the steering column very whimpy in bending. That is why the column mounting bracket up under the dash was very large and had to have extra mounting points (3 or 4 total) to help stabilize the column. Otherwise the steering wheel would be bouncing around in your hands every time you hit a bump in the road.

I applaud your move toward additional safety. But you will have to add structure to the dash in order to provide additional attachment points for the large mounting bracket.

Jim

I have heard '66 tilts are somewhat rare and that's why they are so expensive. You might be better off buying an aftermarket column.

well i put a 66 dash wiring harness in my 67. have a floor shift regular column. the u-shape 67 column harness does not match the 66.....and what they said....