Tilt column question

[adsm08]

Ok, so I want to get a tilt column, but I really like my 1st gen dash, and can't find any 1st gen tilters.

I did find a nice black tilt column, manual trans explorer in the JY Saturday, but the dash is tan, my interior is red.

Can I mount a 2nd gen tilt column but keep my 1st gen dash?

 

[trail B2]

I was just the opposite like the second gen dash first gen wiper high low controls.It bolts in the box ok and the floor is doable but the mount under the dash is a different width on the bolts.You can measure the width at the jy you might be able to see a way gen 2 is wider I believe.

 

[strvger]

i just got a tilt wheel and column out of a 1988 Ranger and got it put in my 1983. i had to use the intermediate shaft from the '83 for correct length. the column shaft on the '88 had to be drilled on the end so the bolt from the inter. shaft on the '83 would work on it. there was a design change somewhere around '87-'88 that used a locating screw on the end of the shaft instead of a full bolt through it. bolting it all the way through seems way stronger to me for sure. but, it fit and now i have tilt wheel. the only electrical plugs i had to swap was the wipers as the '83 didn't have intermittent and there are 2 extra wires in the plug on the '88. just swapped over the original from my '83 and it all hooked right up.
my dash is tan and the wheel i had to settle for is red!!! my bearing was getting so bad in my old column, i was getting afraid to drive it really. the dash can stay, but the plastic around the wheel will have to be what comes with it. the non-tilt plastic will fit, but won't allow for the tilt action. worth the couple hours to do it in my book. good luck!