Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.

[shrunken66stroker]

I had a someone wanting more info on the steering column chop so I'm posting a few pics.

[shrunken66stroker]

I think it's worth mentioning too that the 3" cut needs to be between where the bolts mount into the column. You need to retain all of the bolt holes for this to work correctly. The trim sleeve just needs about 2" cut off the bottom so it will slide down far enough to bolt back on to the column. Hope this helps.

[66 lwb cs]

Originally Posted by shrunken66stroker

I think it's worth mentioning too that the 3" cut needs to be between where the bolts mount into the column. You need to retain all of the bolt holes for this to work correctly. The trim sleeve just needs about 2" cut off the bottom so it will slide down far enough to bolt back on to the column. Hope this helps.

Thanks`for the pics may go with a tilt wheel to solve my problem build is bad a$$ though

[Strodder]

I used a tilt wheel from a Camero. The length fit perfect. It bolted right up to the steering shaft too. The only thing was I modified a 73 pedal assembly and bolted the column to that.

[JasontheBeaver]

Originally Posted by shrunken66stroker

I think it's worth mentioning too that the 3" cut needs to be between where the bolts mount into the column. You need to retain all of the bolt holes for this to work correctly. The trim sleeve just needs about 2" cut off the bottom so it will slide down far enough to bolt back on to the column. Hope this helps.

Probably showing my experience with this question...
is it possible to perform this steering column shortening procedure without completely removing the column from the truck?
This is a project I've needed to o for years and the time is neigh!

[shrunken66stroker]

Originally Posted by JasontheBeaver

Probably showing my experience with this question...
is it possible to perform this steering column shortening procedure without completely removing the column from the truck?
This is a project I've needed to o for years and the time is neigh!

Nope. You have to pull it. Luckily it's not that difficult to get out and it's well worth the work.

[shrunken66stroker]

I like doing things the hard way Dennis. You should know that by now.

[Strodder]

This way was a PITA. But didn't have to touch the column.

[shrunken66stroker]

I made some 1/8" plates to reenforce the floor where the outside seat bolts mount and cover the holes where I drilled out the old mounts. I just need to make some for the inner seat/console mounts, clean up the under side of the floor pans and weld them in. Since the engine and trans were in I drilled and bolted the trans cross member. The bolts just happened to line up on either side of where the frame was welded back together after the shortening. After that I took the engine and trans out and filled the holes on the engine mounts that I'm not going to use. I just have to smooth them out.

[daverod]

Very nice I wish I could get my welds to look like that. Mine stick up more. I'm guessing more heat less wire or just slow down? Mine look more like Strodders.

[shrunken66stroker]

Originally Posted by daverod

Very nice I wish I could get my welds to look like that. Mine stick up more. I'm guessing more heat less wire or just slow down? Mine look more like Strodders.

I wish I could get mine to look more like that too. Those are tig welds that my brother did. He left his tig at my house since we shortened the frame and I've only been using it for the last few months but I love it. I was scared of it for a while but started practicing and I don't want to use the mig anymore. My welds are getting better but they're nowhere near as nice a his. He was a welding teacher for a while at the union he's in, so I guess he's had a lot more instruction and practice than either of us.

[Dinos63]

nice work !! I enjoy seeing how you build stuff

[shrunken66stroker]

Originally Posted by Dinos63

nice work !! I enjoy seeing how you build stuff

Likewise.

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by daverod

Very nice I wish I could get my welds to look like that. Mine stick up more. I'm guessing more heat less wire or just slow down? Mine look more like Strodders.

Greg those welds are beautiful.

Thanks for the nice words Dave. My biggest problem welding is, I can't see what I'm doing. My auto darkening helmet sucks. I should buy a good one, and not from HF. I also think my glass' has something to do with it. They get dark also. I guess I do OK since I'm self taught. What are you guys using, and what did you pay for a good helmet?.

[daverod]

I did'nt say anything bad about your welds. It's just said they don't look as nice and flat as his. I did 'nt know they were tig so that explains it. da. Your welds look very big and strong. I got my auto helmet from HF I think it the best thing I ever bought. There's better stuff? Tell me it's not so. My lens is getting kinda screwed up ma ybe I should get a new one.

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by daverod

I did'nt say anything bad about your welds. It's just said they don't look as nice and flat as his. I did 'nt know they were tig so that explains it. da. Your welds look very big and strong. I got my auto helmet from HF I think it the best thing I ever bought. There's better stuff? Tell me it's not so. My lens is getting kinda screwed up ma ybe I should get a new one.

I didn't take it that way Dave. Our welds aren't bad, as long as they are strong & have good penetration. I have a good grinder that makes them look better.

[shrunken66stroker]

If I make anything close to that I leave alone and show everyone who comes over.

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by shrunken66stroker

If I make anything close to that I leave alone and show everyone who comes over.

Yeah I agree they are way too pretty to grind smooth.

[chad64chevy]

man really nice truck! can you show some more pics when you filled the seams on the cab? thanks! and strodder can you send me some more pics of your drip rails? thanks! the picture of the cab and drip rail looks like you just folded it over and filled it!! i like that, and the drip rail between the door and the window what did you do there?? once again really nice truck. i think i'm gonna use some of your ideas on my truck this summer!

[daverod]

That grinder was wierd there was no sparks. Or was that because it was Al?

[shrunken66stroker]

Originally Posted by chad64chevy

man really nice truck! can you show some more pics when you filled the seams on the cab? thanks! and strodder can you send me some more pics of your drip rails? thanks! the picture of the cab and drip rail looks like you just folded it over and filled it!! i like that, and the drip rail between the door and the window what did you do there?? once again really nice truck. i think i'm gonna use some of your ideas on my truck this summer!

Thanks! I basically loaded them full of wire and ground it smooth. I'm going to skim over it with filler when the time comes.

[shrunken66stroker]

I fit and tacked the plates on the bottom of the cab. I drilled them and then bolted them in to see how they lined up. I didn't have enough time to do the inner seat and console mounts yet. Maybe tomorrow.

[shrunken66stroker]

It's funny, looking back through my thread I saw when I posted that my son was born. Now he's out "helping" me clean up the garage. Soon he'll be a little road trip buddy and he'll probably end up owning the truck before I know it. Time flies.

[daverod]

As long as he's not the one finishing it. Please don't let him drive it till he's 21.

[Dinos63]

have fun it goes by fast!!! soon he will be doing burn outs in it!!