van column

[seafoam68]

Need a little help. I purchased a "van" steering column the other day and I checked out the search on here and found out how to relocate the safety switch, but I don't understand how you make the short shaft of the van column "stretch" to fit the truck chassis ?

[Longhorn Man]

looking at your screen name I'll assume you have a 68.
Some 68 trucks had a collapsible intermediate shaft, some did not.
When you removed your original column, was it a solid one piece shaft clear to the steering gear box? If so, you'll need to obtain a lower intermediate shaft from a late 68 - 72 truck, and you'll then find the van column to be too long. You'll have to shorten the lower shaft by hammering it to where it collapses and is a couple inches shorter. It is pretty easy.

[seafoam68]

Hey Longhorn, yes my original shaft is the "two piece" type with the little white pins holding it in place, but where I am confused is, do you somehow put this shaft onto the van column ? and if so, how ? Thanks.

[Longhorn Man]

After looking at some of my photos, I think I see the problem.
Here's a 68;

And here is a 69 - 72;

You can see where the later one bolts to the column, and the end that is just hanging bolts to the gear box.
You need to aquire the collapsible intermediate shaft from a 69 - 72.
Sorry about the inacurate info before.

[seafoam68]

Thanks Longhorn, you have nailed the problem. My '68 shaft is long and does not have the "swivel" joint at the end of the column. Thanks for the info !

[Longhorn Man]

glad to help bud

[elf w/capital T]

SHHEEESHH, you just saved me too thanks!!