Steering shaft length

[69SCSS]

Hey guys, ran into something interesting last night. I put the rag joint on the steering box, slapped the spring and the large washer on the bottom of the steering column, then went to install the steering shaft. I put the splined end on and I am 2" short! With the shaft flange on the rag joint, the splines are maybe engaged 1/4", maybe less. Were there 2 different length shafts? I know I can drill out the 2 pins to be able to lengthen the shaft, but how much overlap is there, and should I drill a new hole in the inner shaft when I get the right length and put in a new pin?

Thanks in advance... I'd really like to start taking the steps forward without the 2 steps back!!!

[LockDoc]

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Are all of the parts original to the truck? Are you sure that the steering wheel is all the way down against the shift collar in the cab? I think '67-'68 shaft is longer (I know '67 is). Some tilts are different but everything else should be the same. Pictures?

[69SCSS]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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Are all of the parts original to the truck? Are you sure that the steering wheel is all the way down against the shift collar in the cab? I think '67-'68 intermediate shaft is longer (I know '67 is). Some tilts are different but everything else should be the same. Pictures?

Couldn't find the camera, it would make it easier to explain. The shaft goes with the cab, but the steering box is off a '71, which I doubt makes a difference. Steering wheel is all the way down, in fact I pushed it down just to make sure last night. No luck. I do have a '68, so maybe I need the longer shaft. do you think if I just slid the inner and outers apart 2" it would be a problem, though?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

Couldn't find the camera, it would make it easier to explain. The shaft goes with the cab, but the steering box is off a '71, which I doubt makes a difference. Steering wheel is all the way down, in fact I pushed it down just to make sure last night. No luck. I do have a '68, so maybe I need the longer shaft. do you think if I just slid the inner and outers apart 2" it would be a problem, though?

Here are a couple of threads that might help. They are actually about installing a van a tilt column but they might have some tips you can use.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=133937

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=210459

I don't know if I would go 2" out or not and don't drill it and put a bolt in it...

The '67/'68 shaft might bolt right in.

LockDoc

[69SCSS]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Here are a couple of threads that might help. They are actually about installing a van a tilt column but they might have some tips you can use.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=133937

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=210459

I don't know if I would go 2" out or not and don't drill it and put a bolt in it...

The '67/'68 shaft might bolt right in.

LockDoc

Thanks! Looks like I can just drill those pins out and slide the shaft to the length I need. Still wondering how my shaft isn't the right length... did they change the steering column or do I somehow have a van shaft????

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

Thanks! Looks like I can just drill those pins out and slide the shaft to the length I need. Still wondering how my shaft isn't the right length... did they change the steering column or do I somehow have a van shaft????

Be sure and check to see how much overlap you have on the shaft after you extend it. If memory serves me correctly the '67/'68 column is shorter. Van column shaft is longer.

LockDoc

[69SCSS]

Well this looks different to me... the one with the black firewall is the old cab, and the steering shaft I'm using, the one with the green firewall is the cab I have now. Is it me or does the column on the black cab look longer? They don't look the same from the shifter back.

[69SCSS]

HA! You beat me to it.... guess they are different. The old cab was a '69 cab, the new is a '68. There ya go.
I'll slide it all the way out first and check it to make sure what I have to work with. I plan on drilling thru it and locking it into place so it doesn't slide after I have it right. I know it probably doesn't make a difference safety-wise.

Thanks again!

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

HA! You beat me to it.... guess they are different. The old cab was a '69 cab, the new is a '68. There ya go.
I'll slide it all the way out first and check it to make sure what I have to work with. I plan on drilling thru it and locking it into place so it doesn't slide after I have it right. I know it probably doesn't make a difference safety-wise.

Thanks again!

If you re-pin it use a brass pin or 1/4" brass bolt so it will shear off in case of an accident.

LockDoc

[69SCSS]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

If you re-pin it use a brass pin or 1/4" brass bolt so it will shear off in case of an accident.

LockDoc

That's what I was going to do if I re-pinned it. I think stock ones are plastic.