Shortening a steering column

[Clyde65]

I am needing to shorten my steering column a couple inches at least.

Can someone school me on how to do it?

I have a 71/72 truck tilt column, with intermediate shaft.

Thanks in advance!!

[pdxhall]

You didn't mention why you want to shorten the column. It would be very difficult but not impossible. Can't you just shorten the steering shaft?

[Clyde65]

Well that’s what I am thinking I can do, just collapse the intermediate shaft and slide the column down, but I wanted to see if someone has done that and what their recommendations are.
I need to do it because I’m too fat to fit and turning would be easier if the wheel was an inch or two closer to the dash.

[spudder]

The intermediate shaft has small holes toward the bottom of the outside "female section that are filled with what looks like plastic. To shorten or "collapse" the shaft all you have to do is remove the shaft from the truck and hold it on something solid and smack the other end with a hammer. It will shear the plastic and the two halves will slide together. You can adjust the length to fit. No need to worry about the inner plastic that sheared.
Slide your column down close to the dash, then measure the distance between the steering gear flange and the flange on the bottom of the steering column shaft. Adjust the intermediate shaft length to fit and re-install.
Simple and easy. That is the beauty of using '67-'72 truck columns or '70s era van tilts. Very easy conversion.

[Clyde65]

Originally Posted by spudder

The intermediate shaft has small holes toward the bottom of the outside "female section that are filled with what looks like plastic. To shorten or "collapse" the shaft all you have to do is remove the shaft from the truck and hold it on something solid and smack the other end with a hammer. It will shear the plastic and the two halves will slide together. You can adjust the length to fit. No need to worry about the inner plastic that sheared.
Slide your column down close to the dash, then measure the distance between the steering gear flange and the flange on the bottom of the steering column shaft. Adjust the intermediate shaft length to fit and re-install.
Simple and easy. That is the beauty of using '67-'72 truck columns or '70s era van tilts. Very easy conversion.

Awesome! That’s what I was thinking but I am glad you confirmed that!

[64shortbox]

My intermediate shaft didn't want to collapse very easy. I ended up drilling out the plastic pins and still had to beat it to collapse the shaft.

I also slid my column (72 van tilt) down as close to the dash as I could get it. I used the 67 C-10 method when I slid mine down to position my column and hold it in place.

It did give me more gut room & I always leave the column in the full tilt up position. Much more comfortable to drive & I'm NOT a big man 5' 10" & 183 Lbs and now a pleasure to drive. I also added a thicker rubber bump stop for the brake pedal so I don't have to lift my leg so high to hit the brake. Bearing down on the brake pedal as hard as I can I still have 3 fingers between the back side of the brake pedal and the floorboard.

[Clyde65]

64shortbox,

How did you do your NSS? Did that need to be moved?

And what exactly is the 67 c10 meathod?

[spudder]

Some of the van tilt columns have a slot for a neutral safety switch, some don't. I just converted one for a friend and had to relocate the switch further up the column. I milled a slot up 6 inches from where the column goes through the firewall. You also have to drill a hole in the inner shift tube for the tang on the neutral safety switch. Be sure to accurately mark that hole in relation the park position of the shift tube. Critical for park and neutral starting. There are two screws that hold the switch to the column. The switch mount is slotted so there is a little adjustment possible.

The '67 C10 method uses a stamped "peg" to hold the column from slipping or rotating in a clamp that holds the column to the dash. 64 shortbox added a peg to the dash to hold his column. He added a corresponding hole to the column. for the peg to rest in. You can refer to his pictures to better understand how the column is secured.
Hope this all makes sense!

[64shortbox]

Clyde,
I lost you on the NSS, I know as soon as you tell me what it stands for it's going to be a Duh moment on my part.

As for the way GM did the steering column on a 67 - since they moved the parking brake to a foot pedal type, the way the steering column was secured - they basically used a big 2 bolt U clamp with a centering pin on the dash and a hole on the column.

So is what I did, I drilled a 3/8" hole in the bottom lip of the dash took a 3/8 -24 bolt and a thin jamb nut and tightened it down. I drilled a 5/8" hole in the my rubber shim to clear the jamb nut. I had to add a rubber shim so my column wouldn't rub on the dash. I used a strip of rubber gasket material from my work. I drilled a 3/8" hole centered in the column tube and then used the factory E brake bracket to hold everything in place. That way I didn't have to worry about the 4 threaded mounting points used originally.

If you look at the second picture you can see my 3/8" bolt sticking down and my center line drawn on the column tube & my centering hole. The third picture shows the factory bracket and my sloppy cut rubber spacer (glad no one can see it) and no mounting bolts in the factory mounting bracket. How did discover all this? I was looking for a suspended gas pedal to to mount in my truck and saw how they did it in 67. Unfortunately for me the suspended throttle pedal assembly was already gone.

Hope this helps.

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by 64shortbox

Clyde,
I lost you on the NSS, I know as soon as you tell me what it stands for it's going to be a Duh moment on my part.

Neutral Safety Switch = NSS

[64shortbox]

Thanks spudder & chevy_mike for clearing up the NSS - a BIG Duh on my part! I knew it would be. Some times I can be an Idiot!

Clyde65 check out this link on relocating the NSS - LOTS of great info:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=147927

[64shortbox]

Clyde65,
Found another link - One I posted on several years ago. A little bit easier than the original posters. I'm the laziest SOB you will ever meet in your life. If there's an easier or faster way of doing something - I'll find it! start at post #6

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=523901

[Clyde65]

Thanks everyone! I’m a little Leary if the NSS mod tho, any pics?

[64shortbox]

You bet!!!
both these links are loaded with pictures and precise measurements. I guess I should have let you know that in my original post

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=147927

and my cheat mod with measurements & pics

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=523901