Column to floor shifter- removal of locking plate?

[Sonny]

I removed my ‘70 Belvedere’s column shifter and installed a floor shifter. Do I need to remove the lock plate and lever from the steering column or can it be secured another way?

 

[Sonny]

View attachment 744523 I removed my ‘70 Belvedere’s column shifter and installed a floor shifter. Do I need to remove the lock plate and lever from the steering column or can it be secured another way?

If not, can it be removed while the column is in the car?

 

[Demonic]

Tony D'Agostino had a kit to convert to a standard looking column. About 160.- You don't have to change it, you still want the locking column feature. A grinder and epoxy is the cheaper way out.

http://www.tonysparts.com/newproductsB.htm

 

[Sonny]

Tony D'Agostino had a kit to convert to a standard looking column. About 160.- You don't have to change it, you still want the locking column feature. A grinder and epoxy is the cheaper way out.

http://www.tonysparts.com/newproductsB.htm

Isn’t it unsafe without the shifter linkage installed?

 

[Demonic]

It shouldn't be. Your new shifter should have all the same functions. Your column steering should still lock.

 

[YY1]

I don't think the steering locks on a factory floor shift (auto or manual) Mopar.

gm does

 

[Sonny]

The problem is that the collar that held the column gear selector arm at the dash now rotates freely (without any original linkage hooked up under the hood) once the ignition is on and the lock plate is released. If it rotates on its own to something other than the old park position (say D or other), then you have to rotate it back by hand in order to get it to lock back and turn the car off. I currently have the rotating bracket that’s on the column under the hood (that connected the old column shifter linkage to the trans) zip tied to the frame so it can’t rotate, but that’s making me nervous. I just read an article in Mopar Action magazine that strongly suggested removing the lock and plate when converting to floor shifters due to safety issues. I would assume so it can’t move and lock up on you when you least expect it. I do want to keep the locking feature though for theft reasons. Anyone know what I’m talking about? It’s a bit confusing I know.

 

[Demonic]

Ah, I forgot. It is 70 only IIRC? The factory figured out it blew and did away with it in 71. Nacho would know.

 

[Sonny]

Yup. 1970 Belvedere. And yes the key won’t come out either.