Shortening a steering column

[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.