Dihatsu charade steering column

[NES304]

Just saw in an FC for sale a Dihatsu charade steering column fitted. How well do they go? Is it a popular conversion?

[NES304]

any one?

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

I guess they are not that popular  :P personally I would go for something a little older like a '70s car as it would look more at home in the FE/FC. I've seen a lot of Hot Rods spoiled by a plasticky, control ridden late model steering column  ::)

[mcl1959]

I guess I would have my reservations about using a Charade column for the following reasons;
Like Stinky says - it is plasticky and gadgety and may not suit the car.
It is made for a cheap end of the market car and so has probably been designed to within an inch (mm) of its life and the extra load of a heavier car may be a bit much for it.
The other factor about being designed for a cheap car is that it is probably designed to a specific lifetime and may wear out before you expect as well.

Now I may be being harsh as I have not studied it in detail, but I would compare it to a Commodore column for instance and see how it stacks up.

Ken

[FC427]

I used a Gemini column in my Rod removed the ugly plastic and replaced it with a $20 cocktail shaker for the honey pot looks oldskool and would suit a FE / FC they have a good sized bearing at the top and a needle roller at the bottom,,the  shaft is plenty long and thick enough to turn down 14mm  to suit LH LX UC Torana universals might be an alternative ....FC427.....

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

replaced it with a $20 cocktail shaker for the honey pot

Cool! I have pudding molds on my wheels for the centre caps, forget the speed shop or ebay, head down to your local Kitchen Store  ;D

[Ed]

I used a Gemini column in my Rod removed the ugly plastic and replaced it with a $20 cocktail shaker for the honey pot looks oldskool and would suit a FE / FC they have a good sized bearing at the top and a needle roller at the bottom,,the  shaft is plenty long and thick enough to turn down 14mm  to suit LH LX UC Torana universals might be an alternative ....FC427.....

cool!

[Ol_Girl_58]

I used a Gemini column in my Rod removed the ugly plastic and replaced it with a $20 cocktail shaker for the honey pot looks oldskool and would suit a FE / FC

A cocktail shaker does indeed fit... I bought one for $15 and will fit like a glove - although taking the original honeypot off the column is going to be pain in the bum due to all the wiring. I'm going to be using the lid to the cocktail shaker for a dome cap on my billet steering wheel. Looks pretty trick.  8)

Ol_Girl_58