Shortening Steering Column #2
 

Hey guys i would like to collect 2" of room for my midsection :metal: lol.

First of all i saw this link http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=steering and went over it several times.

This is done on a 71, has anyone done this on a 64-66? Can you please chime in on what would be different. Any pics, do's and don't, what size knuckler is needed and where to buy? Thanks for you help. Rudy

Re: Shortening Steering Column #2
 

Scroll all they way down here:http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=559678

that is the FAQ section at the top of the 60-66 forum

I used a 74ish van column and shoved it all the way into the dash ( 6'4" 250 lbs), used the 65 column mount and the cut the shaft to fit the rag joint, bolted it together and wired it using the same colors

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=133937

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=63328

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=33591

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=147927

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=226398

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=147355

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=277856

Re: Shortening Steering Column #2
 

none of these links work.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=133937

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=63328

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=33591

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=147927

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=226398

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=147355

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=277856

Re: Shortening Steering Column #2
 

You will find them within the first one I posted to the FAQ section, scroll down to Steering and they work from there

Re: Shortening Steering Column #2
 

On a 64-66 chevy steering column they are a 1 piece (Chest Crusher) shaft and the only way to shorten them is to either remove the column and cut it down the weld it back together with a 3/4" x 3/4" round coupler.
The other route is to put a different column altogether in and this will give you tilt steering and the option to shorten the steering. I put a 79 chevy van tilt steering automatic column into my 66' and used an intermediate shaft from a 67-72 chevy I was able to get everything at a local salvage yard for $100. I had to drill out the nylon stops for the intermediate shaft and then soak it in some transmission fluid to let the rust break up. Then I took the knuckler apart and used a 2x4 and hammer to move the shaft down about 4" or so. I also used the bottom half of my old rag joint and mated it to the top half of the rag joint on the intermediate shaft. I also had to notch out my brake pedal housing to allow clearance for the Neutral safety switch and notch my inner fender well to allow clearance for the knuckler on the intermediate shaft.
https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...35837574_n.jpg
https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...56632249_n.jpg
https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...02311705_n.jpg
https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/...10137432_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...26968643_n.jpg

After all of this and removing my gas tank from behind the seat I gained a total of about 6 to 8" of belly room. So I am able to comfortably fit great and I am a big man at 6'1" 374lbs.

Re: Shortening Steering Column #2
 

Another option if you have the funds is to get an aftermarket Ididit column. I just put one in my 64 and was able to set it up really close to the dash. Having the tilt does add a bit of extra length to the column inside the cab.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...0&postcount=27

i did have to fit new intermediate shaft using Borgeson products that added a couple of hundred extra to the conversion as well.

Another option is to look at the Goldilocks thread as the astronaut did a really nice job shortening the original column in his '65

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=474456&page=8

Re: Shortening Steering Column #2
 

New guy here and do not have pics yet but I took the shaft out of my 66 column and after cutting to lenth milled flats on 2 side so a DD shaft from factory round. This allowed me to use the extention that came with a power steering convertion kit. The bearings on the lower end of the column tube were missing so I machined an aluminum sleeve to accepted a harley cam bearing. Now if I only had floors.