New here , 58 under bed tank questions and more

[dsraven]

you likely won't need all the length of the shaft anyway, so you could cut it with a pipe cutter for a nice clean straight cut. or just hacksaw it off. did you look into that aftermarket steering box that bolts to the original spot?
on the axles, you may not have to cut the old mounts off the rear if you just pick up some spring mounts for a trailer axle. you can weld them on the axle tube and then if you chnge your mind the old mounts are still usable.

[JimDirt]

Originally Posted by dsraven

you likely won't need all the length of the shaft anyway, so you could cut it with a pipe cutter for a nice clean straight cut. or just hacksaw it off. did you look into that aftermarket steering box that bolts to the original spot?
on the axles, you may not have to cut the old mounts off the rear if you just pick up some spring mounts for a trailer axle. you can weld them on the axle tube and then if you change your mind the old mounts are still usable.

Yea i looked at some of them , but some were pretty spendy ($500+) , so i am guessing no other GM box is the same configuration so it would work with the stock straight axle and go thru the frame like the stock box does ??

The shock mounts are removable on the stock housing and front axle , I guess a trailer axle spring mount would work at least on the rear end , , good thinking , i never even thought about that , thanks ...., i would hope they would have a small flat setup for the front axle since it is not round , but I Beam shaped , but i think as soon as i get my bumper lift repaired (its in the bed of my truck in the last picture i posted of the rear of the truck , it will lift up the entire front or rear end of the truck and safely hold it there) i can try swapping the axles around and see how it works

One of the local wrecking yards has a column/steering box , that has been in their building for 30 years , i just don't know how to test it to see if its worn out while its off the truck since there is no load on it when its just sitting there , anyone have any ideas how to check it for wear before purchase ?? , i would hate to buy it thinking i have a better steering box than i have now , only to find its just as worn as mine

If it is good i can just knock the column off it , find a van one and get a coupler that goes from the flat side box side to spline , so a modern column will attach and i should be set (i hope)

[bowt1ed]

Jim,
If you decide to go with a GM subframe, I would recommend a Monte Carlo column. I had a 1980 MC column in my 57 with Camaro sub and it worked perfectly.

Cheers, Jim