Steering Column Advice

[GMtrucknut!!]

Laying in the shop I have both a 67-72 chevy truck steering column and a1978 Chevy van column. I am undecided on which to use in my 1955 2nd series trucks . How about a few opinions on which I should use!!

[Rude Dude]

Depends what front end you have if IFS both might need to be shorten

[mr48chev]

Both are pretty clean columns for the older trucks. The van column might be a bit easier to hook up though as the 67/72 column has the two piece shaft with the Ujoint in the middle Which might make it a bit of a challenge in some setups. I've got one out of a 70 4 speed truck that I plan to use in the 48 and still haven't figured what to to about the steering shaft setup.

[72Mountaineer]

A friend who did a '57 truck told me "the shorter the better". Is this true for an AD truck also?

[mr48chev]

I'd have to think he meant having a minimum of column sticking through the engine side of the firewall is best. That would take some of the angle out of the bends the U joints have to make. Have it stick down too far and it can cause severe angles on the joint in the steering shaft and possibly require more joints to work. That may give the shaft more chances to bind up and not work smoothly or not want to return to center on it's own.