E-body Steering Columns and Lockout Linkage (4 Speed)?

The previous owner made a lot of changes to the '70 Challenger I now own. From the factory, it had a 383BB with a 3-SPD. This was changed to a SB with a 4-SPD. The '70 steering column was replaced with a '71-'74 version. That's just a couple of the MANY things that were changed as part of his resto-mod. Earlier this year, I removed the entire interior in an effort to either correct, reverse, and/or improve on some of the decisions that were made by the prior owner. My goal is to try and have the interior be (and/or look) as close as possible to a '70. That being said, pretty much the last thing I would need to do in order to accomplish this goal is swap out the later year column with a '70 version. One issue is the $$$ for a restored column (~$500+), and the reverse lock-out linkage assembly (~$250+). So, I'm looking at somewhere around $800. I could and would consider just staying with the simpler style later model column (it is in extremely nice/good condition). Another concern is, I have TTI headers, and I'm not sure if the lock-out linkage could be installed. Does anyone know if the TTI headers would interfere with the lock-out linkage assembly in any way? What would you folks do? Would you go the extra mile and $$$ for the '70 version column set-up, or keep it simple and stick with the later model column? Any opinions and advice will be much appreciated. Thanks.

You have a very nice looking car and from the info. on your data tag #s, a very rare car too. Based on this, I'd lean more toward trying to go back to the 70 column but only when you can get one at a reasonable cost. Have you given thought to converting your 71 column to a 70 in appearance? Main surgery change would be switch section where you'd swap it out with the 70 non-manual key release style. Yes, the headers will interfere with your lock out linkage. It's your car and the ultimate decision is yours, but with such a nice car you can't go wrong either way.

Tom

I would go with a 70..I am one of those guys that will notice that at a show is it power steering or manual steering? leave it for now until a nice lower price one comes up for sale..I can check my stock for which one you need

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I would go with a 70..I am one of those guys that will notice that at a show is it power steering or manual steering? leave it for now until a nice lower price one comes up for sale..I can check my stock for which one you need

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Thanks for the replies so far guys. I was at the Mopar Fall Fling Show today in Van Nuys, CA. There is always a swap meet area at the Spring and Fall Flings. Someone had a used '70 column w/o crush can (and other missing components) for manual steering that definitely needed to be restored (I have power steering, and could've swapped out the shaft from my column to work with his). Anyway, I asked "how much"?. He said, "$450. I said frustratingly, "I can buy a fully restored, COMPLETE column for $500; and walked away. What's up with these people?