The only thing I don't LIKE.

[8door]

Don't like because It don't fit.
I'm talking about the steering wheel position. I'm 5'11" 175 pound, lost the beer belly years ago and the wheel sits too high and too close to be comfortable. Over the years I have gotten used to wheels being further away from the body and my arms out stretched a little.
Even drove a 69 GMC as my work truck for 10 years, and didn't feel like this.
Both are stock three spoke stock bench seats. My current truck is a 68 same layout as the 69 no difference.
I currently drive a 64 Dodge 1/2 ton and wheel to seat, leg and arm positions
are perfect. Probably spoiled.
Any way we are all shaped differently so no one set up is good for all, even though the old days all you could get is a seat with forward and back adjustments.
I'm thinking of moving the steering wheel shaft in toward the firewall.

[CG]

Get yourself a tilt wheel. Im pretty sure there is a way to move the column down, as in further away from the stomach.

[heathbirkendahl]

I share those same feelings, but I'm 100% GM. And I love my 71'.
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[Roninwolf]

There is a way to move the column in, I saw a post on here about it somewhere lol. Think you could move it like 2 inches in.

[8door]

Originally Posted by Roninwolf

There is a way to move the column in, I saw a post on here about it somewhere lol. Think you could move it like 2 inches in.

That is what I'm thinking about 2 inches will move the wheel in and down.
Look at the shaft were it attaches to the flex ( rag ) joint. There is a double
shaft one fits inside the other, with two plastic pins that would shear and collapse in a collision. hum

[8door]

Originally Posted by Roninwolf

There is a way to move the column in, I saw a post on here about it somewhere lol. Think you could move it like 2 inches in.

Found it . Exactly as I thought to do the shaft shortening.
Don't know how to link to the thread. A guy posted it in 2006.

[Roninwolf]

I need to find it again one day. I'm 6'5" so i need to move mine too. Thought i had it bookmarked but could not find it there.

[8door]

Originally Posted by Roninwolf

I need to find it again one day. I'm 6'5" so i need to move mine too. Thought i had it bookmarked but could not find it there.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=191143
Here ya go.
I'm heading out to my shop and start the shortening job now.

[ChevLoRay]

Originally Posted by heathbirkendahl

I share those same feelings, but I'm 100% GM. And I love my 71'.
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Aren't ididit columns made just like GM columns?

[heathbirkendahl]

LMC needs to make one!
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[PanelDeland]

Move the wheel in the 2 inches.and swap to a smaller wheel.Or spend $400 on a tilt.

[GMCJOE]

I am 5'4" and with the position of the seat and having and aftermarket steering wheel with spacer, the steering wheel is a little close for myself. I found this a few weeks back, and as soon as I get back to the states will be doing it too. Great thread and idea the guy came up with.

[Sicklajoie]

I guess I'm in the minority and like the wheel really close. I drive a box truck all day and have always liked the wheel close so my arms don't get tired.

[big mike71]

I'm 6'4" 240lbs, I have a bench seat and a factory wheel. I'm pretty comfortable driving it, But when I get a new wheel I'll shorten the column.

[big bad orange]

Originally Posted by 8door

Don't like because It don't fit.
I'm talking about the steering wheel position. I'm 5'11" 175 pound

we are about the same size and I love where the wheel is and I love the fact that it is a big old wheel. but your right no to driver are exactly the same

[ole dollor]

i pushed the steering column in ole dollor about 3" and it made a big difference for a full figured old guy....it worked for me...

[DesertCat]

I did the column shortening the OP linked to a few posts ago ( http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=191143 ) and it made a TON of difference. Only took a couple hours, could probably do it in under an hour easily. Also went with a 15" wheel with less dish.

Even with those changes, still not enough for me (6'3" @ 215lbs, no gut ) so on my next leave I'm putting in tilt as well. Could get away without it but feel it would make all the difference.

[8door]

Originally Posted by DesertCat

I did the column shortening the OP linked to a few posts ago ( http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=191143 ) and it made a TON of difference. Only took a couple hours, could probably do it in under an hour easily. Also went with a 15" wheel with less dish.

Even with those changes, still not enough for me (6'3" @ 215lbs, no gut ) so on my next leave I'm putting in tilt as well. Could get away without it but feel it would make all the difference.

You big guys almost need a crew cab to move the seat back.
Stay safe DC.

[special-K]

I've driven these trucks since 1973 and never gave it a thought. I must be the perfect size for these trucks. But,I've known people all shapes and sizes who driving these trucks all those years and we never had this conversation. Ever drive the pre-war trucks?
That said,I have a van tilt in one truck and the only way to make the neutral safety switch work in it's original position was to slide the column forward to the dash. But,I never paid any mind to any difference in the steering wheel's position.

[8door]

Originally Posted by special-K

I've driven these trucks since 1973 and never gave it a thought. I must be the perfect size for these trucks. But,I've known people all shapes and sizes who driving these trucks all those years and we never had this conversation. Ever drive the pre-war trucks?
That said,I have a van tilt in one truck and the only way to make the neutral safety switch work in it's original position was to slide the column forward to the dash. But,I never paid any mind to any difference in the steering wheel's position.

Remember those prewar and 50s trucks very well. Guys would hook their left arm out of the door window to brace themselves and steer with the right hand at 12 o'clock position on the steering wheel.
Looked cool too
Everybody is shaped differently some can handle it some can't .......like me.

[CC69Rat]

Lowered and adjustable buckets worked for me .. Check out the height of the seat in the rear window. The Pass will be lowered too (soon) just not yet had the time to modify the brackets.

[Tinkermc]

move the gas tank to outside and your seat can go back nicely

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by Tinkermc

move the gas tank to outside and your seat can go back nicely

Not to disagree with you....but I have to here My stock benches and bucket seats all hit the rear cab wall when adjusted as far back on the factory brackets....so they can't move any further back even if the tank is relocated....aftermarket buckets/benches with a more upright back might allow this but I'm not sure...

[DesertCat]

Originally Posted by 8door

You big guys almost need a crew cab to move the seat back.
Stay safe DC.

Thanks Amigo, I intend to! The thought of extending the cab and using my shortbox on a LWB frame has occured to me at the least it would be a good use of a long frame...

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Not to disagree with you....but I have to here My stock benches and bucket seats all hit the rear cab wall when adjusted as far back on the factory brackets....so they can't move any further back even if the tank is relocated....aftermarket buckets/benches with a more upright back might allow this but I'm not sure...

As does mine. I suppose if you wanted a more upright position you could change the seatback angle. Actually, I think with the shortened tilt column everything else will be fine, just don't like the wheel pinning my thighs to the seat as it does now.

Dropping the seat has been mentioned and if I am not satisfied after the tilt I might look into that. An inch here and an inch there do make a lot of difference.

[hatred]

This did not work for me. I got the shaft out and collapsed it within an hour, the rest of it, still not done. The neutral safety switch was already right against the firewall, and after moving the column down to try and put the switch on the outside, the clamp on the column hit it. Guess I'll just leave it as is....
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