Needing to switch column
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8
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Car: 1991 Z28/2010 RS
Engine: 5.0 TPI/
Transmission: 700R4 w/B&M Stage 1
Needing to switch column
I need to replace the steering column in my '91. Can I use a column from a '86? I haven't found any solid answers to this. What are the best years to swap? '89-'92?
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 43
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
I believe the answer is it will fit, but you'll need to switch over things like the VATS stuff.
Don't you have an air bag? Sorry, I'm not all that up on the later 3rd gen years.
Don't you have an air bag? Sorry, I'm not all that up on the later 3rd gen years.
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 19
From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Needing to switch column
Older non-airbag column will bolt up - but airbag and VATS will be an issue.
Better check with local inspectors - might have to keep an airbag in place for safety inspection. If so, I think your airbag steering wheel will bolt on fine, might have to do some collar trimming for the different wheel. And of course you'll have to snake a few wires up through the older column for the airbag to make it functional. However you could just bolt the air bag wheel on non-functional, and remove the dash light for the airbag and no one would ever know (until that freak accident).
On VATS - you'll have to bypass the VATS on the dash side. I'm not sure, but I guess it's feasible to swap your key cylinder to the older column, snake VATS wires up through the older column and reconnect your VATS.
Better check with local inspectors - might have to keep an airbag in place for safety inspection. If so, I think your airbag steering wheel will bolt on fine, might have to do some collar trimming for the different wheel. And of course you'll have to snake a few wires up through the older column for the airbag to make it functional. However you could just bolt the air bag wheel on non-functional, and remove the dash light for the airbag and no one would ever know (until that freak accident).
On VATS - you'll have to bypass the VATS on the dash side. I'm not sure, but I guess it's feasible to swap your key cylinder to the older column, snake VATS wires up through the older column and reconnect your VATS.
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