'89 - '94 Steering Column Removal

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I'm planning to head to the junkyard this weekend to remove a steering column. Any unusual tools I should bring along? It's all metric, yes?

I'm hoping to find a donor from a 5-speed truck, but how usable would a column be from an automatic? Can the shifter portion just be removed or is it more involved than that?

Appreciate any input.

 

[RobbieD]

Yes, metric. Sockets and ratchet for the yoke bolts inside and wrenches for the rag joint nuts and bolts. A seal pick or tiny slotted screwdriver to help with unlocking the electrical connectors. A Phillips to remove the lower dash trim panel, small sockets for the metal brace behind it.

An automatic column will also have a shift arm connection outside, and a clip-on cable inside going to the PRNDL indicator in the instrument cluster.

Converting auto and manual columns can be as involved as you want to make it. A press pin will remove an auto shifter handle; or you can rebuild one column into the other version column by swapping parts. Each version has unique parts, but interchange- shift tube, shift collar, key release parts.

Pay attention as to tilt wheel or non-tilt.

Not knowing what you're doing, but . . .
If you're doing an auto to manual conversion, the far cleanest and easiest thing to do is just get a manual column, and be sure to grab the PRNDL display block-off plate from the donor's instrument cluster, too, along with the solid floor plate.

Pedals are another story . . .

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Thanks for the details. It's a like-for-like swap in a base 5-speed truck. The existing column got busted up when someone apparently tried to steal the truck. It's my neighbor's truck that I work on, so exact details are short.