This gap is not normal right?

[K10-Kansas]

I have a gap below my steering column rubber cover and the dash mount cover. This is an iDidIt column in a 71 K10.

[TxGary]

That bracket never did fit good. I extended my bracket so it would fit better.

[K10-Kansas]

Originally Posted by TxGary

That bracket never did fit good. I extended my bracket so it would fit better.

Oh, TxGary, how did you do that?

[Casper42]

Erg. I can't help but think something else with your truck caused this. I find it ironic that soo many praise Ididit, and badmouth other similar from "other countries"

[custom10nut]

Originally Posted by Casper42

Erg. I can't help but think something else with your truck caused this. I find it ironic that soo many praise Ididit, and badmouth other similar from "other countries"

It looks as though your gauge panel has been cut to fit a C-50/C-60.
I don’t have my old old in front of me, but there is a scribed line to cut out for the Large trucks.

[TxGary]

Originally Posted by K10-Kansas

Oh, TxGary, how did you do that?

Took two brackets to make one. Extended it by 3/8"

[K10-Kansas]

Oh gotcha. Cool I can definitely do that. I've got 2 brackets and a welder. Thanks.

[dmjlambert]

This thread is getting interestinger and interestinger. I wonder of there are some modifications to that under dash bracketry needed in addition to cutting the gauge panel on the scribed line, in order to get the steering column to be higher and get the steering wheel off your lap more.

[K10-Kansas]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

This thread is getting interestinger and interestinger. I wonder of there are some modifications to that under dash bracketry needed in addition to cutting the gauge panel on the scribed line, in order to get the steering column to be higher and get the steering wheel off your lap more.

For my setup, I'm not sure how high the steering column is. I've never had the stock seats in to know how high I'll be sitting in the truck. I haven't gotten there yet as far as the restore goes. When I bought the truck it had late 80 or early 90s seats. I took those out and am in the process of putting it back to factory original as far as the seats go.

[jollymon02]

I have:
1. The same gap
2. Two brackets to make one extended one
3. Welder

But before I go with unnecessary fabrication (I have enough already) I want to know what causes this? Is there some rubber/gasket/foam that is above the steering column that drops it down that far? Gotta be something, they just don't shrink up....

Attachment 2339504

[pjmoreland]

There is some adjustment to the overall angle of the steering column available at the support bracket on the firewall. Lifting that bracket as high as it will go will decrease the gap being discussed here a little bit. I was able to improve the gap on my truck using this method.

I have seen more than one column housing that has been dented on the top where it engages the brake pedal support. Not sure what causes the dent, but it might cause the column to sit higher than intended.

It may be possible to lower the brake pedal support by loosening all of its mounting bolts and the master cylinder nuts followed by pulling down on it.

[HalfBrit]

This may speak to the dented column in the previous post. When I removed my original 3 spd column, I noticed a tab, formed into the support (hoop), that engaged a corresponding cutout in the column. I'm assuming this was to prevent the column twisting while shifting through the gears. If a different column was installed, without this locating notch, that could damage it when fully tightening the 2 securing bolts.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

It's normal. Not one of GM's best designs. Bracket extension looks nice.

[pjmoreland]

Here's how mine looks after adjusting the firewall bracket and the brake pedal support.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

Here's how mine looks after adjusting the firewall bracket and the brake pedal support.

Interesting Moreland. Hmm. Looks great.

I'm trying to zero in on the bracket you speak of. Unless I'm missing it, the column bracket strap mounts to the brake pedal support mounted to the firewall. That's basically it inside the cab, though there's the brake stop plate, which square things up. What's the firewall bracket?

Unless there are variances, the cover mounts to the lower dash panel with two tap screws. Seems to me if a bracket is adjusted to raise the cover, then it would have to have an affect on the dash panel too, which then affects the instrument panel bezel.

What's that plate you have underneath the dash? Perhaps the 1970 and 1971 columns have their differences.