Dash/ steering column question

[stepsider]

Am I going to have to drop/lower the steering column to put in my dash panel ??

[pjmoreland]

Yes. I usually remove the band clamp on the engine side of the firewall and remove the clamp from the underside of the dash, and let the column droop down.

[leftybass209]

Pretty much. I was able to loosen the column strap bolts enough to get mine in, but it was just old original parts i wasn't worried about scratching. Had it been new, there's no way i'd trust not scratching the column, dash, or gauge housing.

if you slide your seat forward the wheel will rest on it, if you do remove the column mount. That'd give you a lot of clearance.

[BASE]

I didn't have any trouble with leaving the column in place. You do want to tilt the top out first, when removing, and set the bottom in first when installing. Mine is a manual non-tilt column though, so maybe it has a little more room?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by stepsider

Am I going to have to drop/lower the steering column to put in my dash panel ??

It depends if you have a tach or not. I have installed a non-tach without dropping it but you are probably going to scratch the paint on the column or gouge the dash pad if you don't.

Don't know what year your truck is but either way you will have to remove the pedal stop plate underneath. Then loosen as far as you can, but don't remove the two bolts in the column support bracket. If If you put your hand up above the clutch/brake pedal bracket you can feel the ends of the bolts. Just unscrew them until they are even with the weld nut on the top. That should give you enough room. ( put a towel or shop rag over the column to protect it).

LockDoc

[70STOVEBOLT]

I’ve removed and replaced a tach dash without scratching anything and without moving the column.