68 Steering Column strangeness - advice needed

[ugotd8]

Good morning all. So I picked up this '68 C10 yesterday and found that the PO installed the steering column rotated:





Opening the hood I discovered why, he did it to allow the shift arm to clear the booster:





So, questions I have are:

Anyone have an idea what MC/booster this is ? (I'm thinking 73-87 truck?)

Ideas on how to fix ? I saw the thread in the FAQ on shortening the column, which I think might solve this but opens other cans 'o worms.

[Mister-B]

Yeah, that looks like a much newer booster. The correct booster would look more like this



I don't know how to fix your steering column, other than installing the correct booster
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[alsriv2]

Interesting issue. Wonder what other tricks the PO had up his sleeve?

Inspect your truck fully to ensure there are no hidden safety issues.

[Katrina/10]

Never seen anyone do that before, an interesting solution, but not a really good idea. The master cylinder looks like one from an 81 or later model, you might be able to put some spacers between it and the firewall.

[BrianG]

From what I remember, it looks a lot like the one on my 2001 Sierra. I could be wrong though, I'd have to go pop the hood and check for sure.

[VroomVroom68]

Originally Posted by ugotd8

Good morning all. So I picked up this '68 C10 yesterday and found that the PO installed the steering column rotated:

Attachment 1155289

Attachment 1155290

Opening the hood I discovered why, he did it to allow the shift arm to clear the booster:

Attachment 1155291

Attachment 1155292

So, questions I have are:

Anyone have an idea what MC/booster this is ? (I'm thinking 73-87 truck?)

Ideas on how to fix ? I saw the thread in the FAQ on shortening the column, which I think might solve this but opens other cans 'o worms.

Whaaaat? That's insane, I've never seen anyone do something like that...

[ugotd8]

Thanks for the replies all. Yes, the PO had a few more tricks up his sleeve. There is a push button starter switch where the lighter should be.

The truck steers and stops fine, but as you can tell from the pic sometimes the shifter will bind and it's tough to find reverse.

@Katrina/10, I'm liking the idea of spacers between the booster and firewall. I assume it would just possibly need a slightly longer rod from the pedal to the booster?

[geezer#99]

Why don't you just move the column down enough to clear. The shaft between the end of the column and the steering box is collapsible.

[ugotd8]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Why don't you just move the column down enough to clear. The shaft between the end of the column and the steering box is collapsible.

Seriously considering it. Good instructions here on the board.

[BrianG]

I can't tell from the pic how close your booster is to the firewall, but if it were original (or even the right type of replacement), it would be spaced away from the firewall. Yes that might mean that you would need a longer rod, but check, the PO might have put in an adjustable one.

[jaros44sr]

Couldnt you just put the correct OEM booster and M/C on your truck, their not that expensive

Or a smaller diameter booster

[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by ugotd8

Thanks for the replies all. Yes, the PO had a few more tricks up his sleeve. There is a push button starter switch where the lighter should be.

The truck steers and stops fine, but as you can tell from the pic sometimes the shifter will bind and it's tough to find reverse.

@Katrina/10, I'm liking the idea of spacers between the booster and firewall. I assume it would just possibly need a slightly longer rod from the pedal to the booster?

The internal rod between the pedal and booster is adjustable, but I am not sure how much. You may have to extend it to get the booster far enough from the linkage. I put a booster from an 84 suburban on my truck, but it was the smaller smooth one. It barely cleared the shift linkage, so I put a dent in the back side of it with a hammer, seems to work fine.