Room gained with tilt column ?

[panhead59]

I'm just about "done" with a pretty complete rebuild of a 68 swb fleetside truck. Down to the bed. Got bench seat rebuilt and installed and you guessed it, very tight clearances between steering wheel and legs/body. My question is how much space is gained using a tilt column ? It's 3 on the tree. Thanks

[Ol Blue K20]

I don't think they made a 3ott tilt. You would probably have to install a floor shifter.

[panhead59]

Ok how much space gained? A little or very noticable like 4-6 in. ?

[Mike (Asheville)]

I just installed one in my '72. I didn't measure before and after but I'd guess that if anything you lose a little space, meaning the wheel is closer to your chest if you put it in the conventional driving position. But tilting the wheel up does make sliding in and out of the seat easier.

[jfnar]

I did this in my 68 and I'd guess I gained a couple inches but most of it was from sliding the column down as far as I could. The tilt helps too.

[panhead59]

To be honest with you i haven't messed with the column much. Are you saying it is somewhat Adjustable ?

[special-K]

The tilt gives a heap of leg room, but sliding the column forward gives the most belly room. Try a Model T wheels. Or better yet, the accessory Fatman wheel

[panhead59]

Yeah a smaller wheel would be a good place to start. I kinda like it stock looking though. I put in a new rag joint and fixed turn signals but didn't remove column. I have to look and see if it'll move down some. Sounds like there might be a little wiggle room from the previous reply

[davepl]

Depends where you need the room. The tilt will get it up off your legs but if your gut is in the way, you'd have to tip it all the way up like a bus driver.

Or like Special-K said, relocating the whole thing forward if you can do it without compromising safety (collapse).

I went tilt for this very reason, but I have buckets so can't say for sure its the same. Can't hurt though but none for standard trans that I know of.

[special-K]

You do lose some collapse in the column, but nothing like the '68-back with none at all. I suppose you could cut and shorten the lower shaft instead. In my time I've been told "Oh, you can't go altering the steering, that's unsafe". But these days I can't think of a thing on these trucks people haven't cut and welded, including steering components (or on other vehicles). I see that as taking your safety into your own hands... until you go and sell it. But... keep a spare to put back to original. At 5'10" and average build I have never noticed a lack of room. But I do always keep the seat set all the way back.

[jfnar]

Making the steering column shorter is pretty simple. There's lots of info on this site about it. You'll have to get a collapsible intermediate shaft from a later model; I think 69-72; and a few licks with a hammer will shear the plastic rivets and allow you to move it down.

[4oldcars]

I sold my truck and bought a blazer just for this reason. Lots of room now.

[cleszkie]

Couple solutions to this issue that I've seen over the years on this board:

1) Lower the seat brackets.

2) Trim down seat back and bottom foam.

3) Smaller diameter steering wheel.

4) Tilt column.

5) Shorten column.

6) Go on a diet and lose the gut.

[special-K]

7) Work out like there's no tomorrow.

8) Deal with young beautiful woman following you around battling for front of the line.

[randy.powell]

also if you use a steering wheel on your tilt with very little "dish" you will gain some room. I used an aftermarket (Grant) wood rim steering wheel with about 3" - 4" dish and smaller diameter. If I had used a wheel with less dish I could have picked up more room.
B/R,
Randy