Shorten Steering Column?

[MrBlue]

Greetings,
Is it possible to shorten or to find a steering column that is shorter for a 72'?
We searched the forums but haven't found anything. We did find that many install a van tilt, but no metion of this being a shorter setup.
MrBlue

[mac72]

I'm going to do the same thing.The steering wheel is just to close for me w/ the stock setup.Both flaming river & ididit have universal fit columns in diff. lengths.If your looking to do it on a budget you could sink your column in 2",modify the mount & replace the intermidiate shaft

[crawdadfox]

I slid the stock column on my 72 Super forward about 1 1/2" to give you more "belly" room! I removed the steering shaft (from the column to the steering box) and drilled out the crash pins so the shaft would slide in easily. Then i dropped the coumn mount at the dash and slid it as far forward as i could before the shft indicator touched the gauge bezel and tightened it back up. It worked great..and gives you alot of extra room for a couple hours worth of work.

[Piece of Work]

It is possible to collapse the column an inch or two.
Check this thread, hope it helps.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=309895


-Mark

[jamis]

I have done the same to mine it was an easy mod.

[northerngmc]

Is it possible to do this mod with a 3 speed manual column shift?

[71BB_LWB]

I moved mine 3 inches, the hardest part of my conversion was moving the NS/backup switch up the column the same 3 inches, otherwise it would have been outside the firewall.
I don't have a big belly but I have long arms and I really like the extra room.

[dan42]

I did mine, but I didn't like it - for me, the steering wheel was too low, so I moved it back. But like everybody says, it's an easy and non-destructive mod.

[BAGNDRAGIT]

i actually did mine yesterday in about an hour, was super simple.
ill upload the pic that helped me from another thread.
where is says use the wood block DO IT!!! i found out the hard way

and where it says heat the whole area and melt the 4 plastic plugs, i just drilled mine, since i have an az truck my rust is minimal. so the shafts werent rusted together.

[67_ShortFleet]

Can a guy shorten an automatic transmission column?

[RossRinSD]

Originally Posted by BAGNDRAGIT

So, I was working on this mod in my truck this afternoon. One thing I found out is that the clamp, where the intermediate shaft meets the steering column... Well, the shaft isn't going to come apart unless you completely remove the bolt. There is a notch in the shaft the bolt fits in. Maybe a no-brainer for most of you guys, but had I known, it would have saved me at least an hour.

The idea to use the press to collapse the shaft was great. Especially if you don't want to wake up the neighbors. I knew that press would be good for something other than building AK's

Still need to bolt it all together in the AM.. But, it seems to me there is a notch in the top of the steering column, and a widget on the column drop that fits into it.

Do I need to lengthen the notch in the top of the steering column or is it okay to just bolt it all back together real tight?

[Bpokey]

I did this the other day and with the notch on the top I just bent the tab that goes into the notch up and tightened it. I moved the neutral safety switch also. That wasn't too bad but I had to weld another tab for the switch to engage.

[Anadrol]

Can anyone chime in on whether or not this works with '72-87 square bodies?

[Longhorn Man]

why not go to the 73 - 87 board and ask them?

[JJanzen]

Try this thread.....was just reading it again earlier today.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=191143

[hilandr452]

The thread for this is closed so I'll ask my question here. I'm looking at my truck with auto tranny and it looks to me like the linkage from the column to the transmission will be moved toward the front, putting it close to the vacuum booster for the brakes. Is there a conflict there?, and will I need to make changes to the linkage?

Thanks,

Dan

[hilandr452]

nobody?

[JointTech]

you ever figure that out? I have an automatic on the column id like to get a little more room with.

[Lee H]

WOW, another thread from the past. I'm a big guy and can fit behind my stock wheel just fine. Can't imagine how large you need to be to have to shorten the steering shaft to be comfortable.
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[JointTech]

yea i like necroing old threads... Im 6'2" and my knees hurt and getting into the truck is what sucks. Im planning on getting different bench seat and moving it back since i removed the gas tank. But id like a couple more inches. (thats what she said)

[leddzepp]

Some people are comfortable driving with their arms further extended, which is why I think they shorten the column. I have contemplated doing it just to see how I like it. I think Kevsclassics does it on a lot of his installations.
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