Steering column controls

[Grim 82]

My 82 K10 has the dash mounted 2 speed wiper switch, and the floor mounted dimmer switch.  I would like to have these controls on the steering column like the newer models. I have an '87 Suburban for parts that has the controls on the column.
My question is: Can I relocate the controls to my existing column by using new components designated for a later model year, or would I need to swap the column out of the suburban into my pickup? I would prefer to buy a new control lever, turn signal switch, etc. and retrofit the controls to the existing column if possible. The cost to drive to the parts vehicle would most likely exceed the cost of new parts to retrofit.

[Captkaos]

it would have to be far away to beat free donor parts as you still have to drive to get the replacements.  Some of the wiring may be different/longer shorter also.

[Grim 82]

520 mile round trip, plus the time to do it, but I can visit O'reilly's on my lunch break.
I am just looking for the easiest solution. If it's just a matter of buying a few new parts in town that would be great, but if using the donor sub is the right way to do it, then that is the route I'll go. What will I need to scavenge in addition to the column?  Do I need the fuse box/ wiring? What do I need from the sub to hook up the intermittent wipers? I don't want to overlook anything.
Thanks

[inovermyhead]

Grim I've been wanting to do the same to my 81 C15. On mine I've thought about getting a column switch and cruise module from Dakota Digital and new column plug from Painless to do mine.
But if you do this conversion on yours consider posting a thread on it? Thanks

[zieg85]

I have only done the swap by replacing the steering column itself.  I had two complete trucks that I traced the wiring as I operated the switches and marked what wire did what.  The dimmer switch was easy.  I just cut as much wiring as I could on the donor.  When I was all done I fab'd up a plate to cover the old wiper switch.  I used the dimmer as a kill switch instead of removing it off the floor.  Good luck, it was a worth while improvement for me...

[Grim 82]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to pull the column and all associated wiring from the donor sub. Good option Zieg, I will definitely check the functions and label the wires first, and then compare to what I have in the 82. Since the suburban column needs to be reworked to remove the slop in the tilt, I will check the internal parts compatibility with the 82 column, just to see if that is a possibility. I will most likely use the suburban column, since it doesn't matter too much to me that it's an automatic shift column and my truck has a manual, but there might be somebody else out there with opposite circumstances that has a newer manual column laying around that wouldn't work in their automatic. Or, they might be able to make it work by swapping out internals only. That's what I plan to find out, but I am not sure how soon I will be able to get to work on it. Inovermyhead I will post my results when I can. Thanks

[zieg85]

Take a file a booger up the threads a little of the 4 screws that tighten up the tilt mechanism.  Once they loosen up it will happen again.  I thought about loc-tite but didn't because I may have to take it apart sometime.

[Skunksmash]

Grim I've been wanting to do the same to my 81 C15. On mine I've thought about getting a column switch and cruise module from Dakota Digital and new column plug from Painless to do mine.
But if you do this conversion on yours consider posting a thread on it? Thanks

I have often considered doing something like this as well. But man, that's gotta be a lot of work.

[Grim 82]

This project can be followed here:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=16459.0