Van tilt column question any input

[blazercrazy70]

I have a nice van tilt column but I understand you have to shorten it or crush the inner part to have it shortened. Well asking for input on this or is it just a bad idea. Somebody mentioned before about crushing it takes the impact cushion out of it. But the columns in the truck would not have this if I am correct maybe not anyway looking for thoughts on using it or not and how do you collapse the column to make it or work

[Tx Firefighter]

I always set the bottom against the shop floor and hit the top with a mallet to shorten them.

There is still some collapse left in the shaft after you shorten it if ever needed during a wreck.

As far as the safety concerns about the less collapse available after shortening, you'll have to decide if you can be okay with that or not. Keep in mind, earlier trucks had a solid shaft from steering wheel all the way to the box, so some collapse is still better than that by a long shot.
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[uncle]

Or you can get the amount you shorten it off int. shaft and have same crash amount.
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[OhioDan]

If you look at item # 26 on the pic, that's where the steer shaft needs to be shortened when you install a van column. There's 2 plastic (rivets?) in the shaft holding the 2 pieces together. Set one end of the shaft on the floor and smack the other with a BFH. Shorten as necessary. Hope this helps?

[blazercrazy70]

Thanks guys sounds like a plane to me just was not sure where to use the BFH. Thanks alot

[WIDESIDE72]

You will also have an issue with the location of the neutral satey switch on the van column.. IIRC it is too low for a truck. Do a search on the forum for for van column for details
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