Moving steering column - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

superfragl · 10-10-2017, 04:02 PM

Hi all, I am new here. I recently bought a 53 GMC 1/2 ton that was disassembled by previous owner.
I installed IFS with rack and pinion steering, 94 LT1 engine and 4l60E transmission.
I have a flaming river steering column that I am going to use. If I mount it in stock location the steering shaft exits right where exhaust manifold is. All I need is to move the column 3/4" to the left - that way it will not interfere with exhaust and will be centered between the gauges. What do you think? Will the steering wheel sit too close to the door? I want to use original steering wheel.

Dave0 · 10-10-2017, 04:42 PM

Here is my set up with the column centered in the dash and existing hole. This is a 5.3 with Camaro 6.2 manifold on it, the hug the block more... Are you sure the engine isnt sitting too far to the left? Or your manifolds are too wide? (I had 5.3 truck manifolds on it and they were too wide) Pics might help...

superfragl · 10-11-2017, 11:49 AM

I guess, 5.7 engine is a bit wider than 5.3.
Here`s what it looks like with steering column moved about 3/4" to the left. The engine is centered between the frame (see how the manifolds clear the frame).
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**mr48chev** · 10-12-2017, 08:05 PM

It takes some changing around to have it look right under the dash but 3/4 inch might not be that bad.

On the wheel thing you will probably be running a smaller wheel than stock anyhow so it shouldn't be that bad. I had my stock column offset that way with the V8 install years ago and outside of scooting clooser to the door to center yourself on the wheel it wasn't that bad.

superfragl · 10-13-2017, 11:42 AM

I will be using original steering wheel. I installed the wheel last night and installed the door - to make sure the setup feels comfortable. Did not even notice 3/4 offset. Feels fine. In the end, if there is a problem, I can always go smaller steering wheel. I like the original one though.
On the side note - while installing the door I have found that previous owner changed the cowl panels (inner/outer) but did not retain the lower hinge internal bracket and bolted the hinge to pillar sheet metal... Now I am looking for those brackets for both sides. Does anyone have spare ones??

10-10-2017, 04:02 PM	#1
superfragl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Western MA Posts: 4	Moving steering column Hi all, I am new here. I recently bought a 53 GMC 1/2 ton that was disassembled by previous owner. I installed IFS with rack and pinion steering, 94 LT1 engine and 4l60E transmission. I have a flaming river steering column that I am going to use. If I mount it in stock location the steering shaft exits right where exhaust manifold is. All I need is to move the column 3/4" to the left - that way it will not interfere with exhaust and will be centered between the gauges. What do you think? Will the steering wheel sit too close to the door? I want to use original steering wheel.

10-10-2017, 04:42 PM	#2
Dave0 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Brighton IL Posts: 209	Re: Moving steering column Here is my set up with the column centered in the dash and existing hole. This is a 5.3 with Camaro 6.2 manifold on it, the hug the block more... Are you sure the engine isnt sitting too far to the left? Or your manifolds are too wide? (I had 5.3 truck manifolds on it and they were too wide) Pics might help... Attached Images __________________ 55 5.3 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=702899

10-11-2017, 11:49 AM	#3
superfragl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Western MA Posts: 4	Re: Moving steering column I guess, 5.7 engine is a bit wider than 5.3. Here`s what it looks like with steering column moved about 3/4" to the left. The engine is centered between the frame (see how the manifolds clear the frame).

10-12-2017, 08:05 PM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,719	Re: Moving steering column It takes some changing around to have it look right under the dash but 3/4 inch might not be that bad. On the wheel thing you will probably be running a smaller wheel than stock anyhow so it shouldn't be that bad. I had my stock column offset that way with the V8 install years ago and outside of scooting clooser to the door to center yourself on the wheel it wasn't that bad. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

10-13-2017, 11:42 AM	#5
superfragl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Western MA Posts: 4	Re: Moving steering column I will be using original steering wheel. I installed the wheel last night and installed the door - to make sure the setup feels comfortable. Did not even notice 3/4 offset. Feels fine. In the end, if there is a problem, I can always go smaller steering wheel. I like the original one though. On the side note - while installing the door I have found that previous owner changed the cowl panels (inner/outer) but did not retain the lower hinge internal bracket and bolted the hinge to pillar sheet metal... Now I am looking for those brackets for both sides. Does anyone have spare ones??



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