Steering Column Repair: 89 K1500 Steering Column, wire welder, delay wipers

Question
I am replacing the steering column (5spd MT, Tilt, delay wipers) on my 89 K1500 because the tabs on the column tube are cracked. I picked up a column with the same options that was supposedly out of an 88 Sierra 1500 When I went to swap new for old, I discovered that the new column is shorter than the old column and the distances between the intermediate shaft, firewall and dash mount holes are diferent. I was lead to believe that the columns are interchangable between 88-94 1500 series pickups. Did GM make different columns or did this one not really come from that year truck?

Answer
Hello Dom,
The columns should be the same. The new column you have may be from a car or van.
I don't know how badly your tabs are cracked, but I have welded many, including welding the whole tab back on. Of course one would need a good wire welder and die-grinder (a Dremel tool will work). As long as you're not using it for off-road, I've had pretty good luck with these types of repairs. Another factor, which represents the biggest reason these tilt mechanisms loosen and fail, is that the driver doesn't use the steering wheel as a handle to get in and out of the truck or car.

Hope that helps.
Have a great day!
-Jay