Swapping 93 column for 87-89 tilt. Questions?

281pony

Active Member
Aug 31, 2003
2,681
2
46
Oly, WA
i have a 93 coupe and i want the tilt column. i have done reading on this, its a straight forward swap from what i gather.

people keep complaining about the fitment of the dash parts, i no longer have any pre-90 dash parts to compare the fitment onto my dash now. does anyone have a pic of this swap completed? any input that i should hear before i begin this?

thanks
 
Here my 88 with a 90-93 black dash setup.

Oem 88 tilt column, and using the 87-89 column trim. However, I also have the 88 gauge cluster pod, so that might make the fit a little better than a 90-93 gauge pod

pic.webp

DSC00116.webp
 
by cluster pod, you mean the gauge shroud right? from looking at your pic, it's the same as mine except it's got the cutout for the warning lights. is there any other difference your aware of?

if not, i should be able to just use the column trim from an 87-89. looks like you have the knee panel piece from a 90+, everything else i planned on keeping. i can't 100% tell, but did you use that small ruffled column trim piece on your swap too? i remember there being a piece like that on my older foxes.

i just want a different steering wheel lol. the big ass column trim behind my non-tilt wheel just doesn't look right and ruins my wheel choice.
 
The ruffled peice gets trashed. It doesn't fit anywhere.

I'm using the newer dash and knee panel. I do not know of the gauge pod around the gauges is the same. I have not seen a 1990+ piece up close, so not sure. It might fit different around the column, or it might be the same....just without the warning lights.

My parts list is

90+ dash
90+ knee bolster
87-89 column trim
87-89 gauge pod
 
gotcha.

now my last question for you.. i have two tilt columns i can go grab.

an 88 tilt column with no key.
or an 86 ssp column with key.

do you know if the 86 column will work? i'm searching for info, but the info is super unstable.
 
well i'm finding as i sit here reading, the less i want to do this. i found some pics of aftermarket steering wheels and the 90+ trim behind them. it wouldn't look bad if you made a cover for the trim so you don't see down the opening.

i do work at a fabrication shop, so i guess i'll just leave it alone. i can do a wheel on my current column and cover the trim opening. my recaro's just bought me more leg room anyways.
 
Here my 88 with a 90-93 black dash setup.

Oem 88 tilt column, and using the 87-89 column trim. However, I also have the 88 gauge cluster pod, so that might make the fit a little better than a 90-93 gauge pod

pic.webp

DSC00116.webp
I hate to bump an 8 year old thread but you have information I need as I'm going to do the swap next month. What gauge cluster are you using? A 90-93 style or 87-89 style? It's hard to tell. The 87-89 is a flat bottom gauge cluster and 90-93 is a concave bottom. Also by gauge pod, do you mean the black housing that surrounds the cluster? Thanks!
 
I hate to bump an 8 year old thread but you have information I need as I'm going to do the swap next month. What gauge cluster are you using? A 90-93 style or 87-89 style? It's hard to tell. The 87-89 is a flat bottom gauge cluster and 90-93 is a concave bottom. Also by gauge pod, do you mean the black housing that surrounds the cluster? Thanks!

Well, car's changed a little in 8 years from the pics up above.

Car's an 1988, originally equipped with a red dash

I'm using a 90-93 complete dash and console
90-93 HVAC controls
87-89 gauges
87-89 gauge housing around the cluster
87-89 steering column
87-89 steering column trim
Aftermarket momo wheel and hub adapter

Rest of interior is OE 1990 black with some aftermarket leather boots thrown in. Nothing is painted other than the LRS cupholder console. Really the only thing I don't like in terms of fit is where the fuse block sits. Next time I have the dash off (to do my AC reinstall) I will address that.

IMG_3714.webp
 
  • Like
Reactions: RoyalFoxLX
Well, car's changed a little in 8 years from the pics up above.

Car's an 1988, originally equipped with a red dash

I'm using a 90-93 complete dash and console
90-93 HVAC controls
87-89 gauges
87-89 gauge housing around the cluster
87-89 steering column
87-89 steering column trim
Aftermarket momo wheel and hub adapter

Rest of interior is OE 1990 black with some aftermarket leather boots thrown in. Nothing is painted other than the LRS cupholder console. Really the only thing I don't like in terms of fit is where the fuse block sits. Next time I have the dash off (to do my AC reinstall) I will address that.

Thanks for clearing this up for me! Absolutely beautiful interior man! What seats are those if you don't mind? Gorgeous interior again!

IMG_3714.webp