steering column woes

[whatsnext]

The idler arm, which sits on the shaft of the steering column on my 1969 Ranger is kaput. It doesn't move anymore when you shift the gears.
I have called many places in efforts to find a 69 or an interchangeable
steer. column-been told 1967-1972's will work. But no columns, of those years, are to be found locally or within 75 miles of home.

We have been told we could rebuild a column, but between me, my husband, and two other mechanics-we all have never taken one apart.
The column is out of the truck and it has some other problems with it
such as the horn doesn't work, one turn signal stays on, the wheel itself is cracked, etc-basically it's worn out.
We are running out of options. My truck is not a necessity-but it buys
groceries and does the daytime errands.

We are considering a floor shift and need some advice on what to get.
We really don't have the big $$$ to spend-we just need something that will work. The truck was a 3 speed on the column, but since has been modified to: a C6 auto, 460. It has the "old style Ford" power steering on it. Can anyone recommend what to get? And can anyone foresee any problems going to a floor shift? thanks...
whatsnext

[GT-Racer]

any cable style floor shifter will work now that its an automatic. I used a B&M for years with no complaints. They have many different models with as many bells and whistles as you want to spned for. Check out summit racing as they carry many of they as well as some other brands. Good luck.

[flyboy2610]

This is the one I plan to install in my truck.
http://www.martelbrothers.com/customer/ ... 0&x=10&y=5

[FORDification]

There are a lot of people on this forum who are parting out trucks, and would have the steering column you need....myself included. I'd suggest just replacing your column with another.

Keep the shifter on the column as well, unless you really want to do with the floor-shift. If you do, then try to find a 4-spd column, since there won't be any shifter mechanism parts left behind to look out-of-place. Then get your hands on an early Mustang floor shifter, like the one in THIS EBAY AUCTION or in THIS ONE. It'll be a quick and clean installation....and will still be a Ford part!