van column
 

Need a little help. I purchased a "van" steering column the other day and I checked out the search on here and found out how to relocate the safety switch, but I don't understand how you make the short shaft of the van column "stretch" to fit the truck chassis ?

Re: van column
 

looking at your screen name I'll assume you have a 68.
Some 68 trucks had a collapsible intermediate shaft, some did not.
When you removed your original column, was it a solid one piece shaft clear to the steering gear box? If so, you'll need to obtain a lower intermediate shaft from a late 68 - 72 truck, and you'll then find the van column to be too long. You'll have to shorten the lower shaft by hammering it to where it collapses and is a couple inches shorter. It is pretty easy.

Re: van column
 

Hey Longhorn, yes my original shaft is the "two piece" type with the little white pins holding it in place, but where I am confused is, do you somehow put this shaft onto the van column ? and if so, how ? Thanks.

Re: van column
 

After looking at some of my photos, I think I see the problem.
Here's a 68;
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...5/100_0141.jpg
And here is a 69 - 72;
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/data/683/g6.jpg
You can see where the later one bolts to the column, and the end that is just hanging bolts to the gear box.
You need to aquire the collapsible intermediate shaft from a 69 - 72.
Sorry about the inacurate info before.

Re: van column
 

Thanks Longhorn, you have nailed the problem. My '68 shaft is long and does not have the "swivel" joint at the end of the column. Thanks for the info !

Re: van column
 

glad to help bud

Re: van column
 

SHHEEESHH, you just saved me too thanks!!