steering column lengths

[pewy397]

I am real close to buying an aftermarket steering column and was wandering what length column people are using in their 55-59 chevy trucks. Any ifo or picks will be apprecitated.

[prostreeter58]

I have used the 35" column from Ididit........it gives a real straight shot to the rack.........no need for additional joints.....if you want some pics let me know........

[Matshark]

I am using a 30" steering column.
To connect to the Mustang 2 ps rack I use an intermediate shaft.

[texascowboy593]

I have a Flaming River 32" tilt hooked to a C.P.P. p/s conversion (for original frame). FWIW, Here's a VIDEO with a couple of shots of me driving it and you can see how close the column is to me. IMO, I should've got a 30" but this one works OK.

[prostreeter58]

here is pic of the truck I am building now with a 35" column.............I think it works great because you can create a straighter shot to the rack..........

[dwcsr]

If you have your suspension already in and the steering box is attached buy some 3/4 inch wood dowels from the home supply store. cut some lengths and duct tape them together leaving a 3/4 gap between pieces.

Tape it to the rack or steering gear input shaft and then direct it to the hole in the floor of the cab. this will show you where it will bind or hit on the other parts. it also get you the steel shaft lenghts and how many joints you need.
You can determine the steering column length from there.

You want it with the least angles in the joints and the straigthest you can get, with the least amount of joints. Over 2 joint you must have a shaft brace at the second joint.

In the picture I had to get around the header but as you can see I could have gone longer with a 35 inch column. You want to have good support at the end of the column shaft. If it was closer to the first joint it would be much better and much less stress on the coupler at he column end. The one that Prostreeter58 did is just the right length. He has support right to the joint and a short intermediate shaft. with no crazy angles. I eneded up with this setup becuase I bought the column before I measured. lesson learned...The fix is a heim joint at the first ujoint on the front side so it still has flex when the cab and frame torque and flex.

[CAL 58 GMC]

I used a 30 inch DD Flamming River column. It really depends on how far out from the fire wall you want the column to stick out.

[56chevy1300]

I am interested in this as well...could someone please provide a measurement of the distance between the floor of the cab and the steering wheel.

Thanks in advance

[dwcsr]

Mine is Aprox. 27 inches