Shortening steering column - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**FL71C10** · 06-03-2017, 05:24 PM

I just got a "new" 68 C10 and I want to shorten the steering column. It is a 4 speed truck, and I was wondering if anyone has ever done this with a 4 speed column. I read putter's thread in the Tech FAQ section, and am wondering how hard it will be to take the steering column out with the emergency brake handle and parts that are bolted to the column. Has anyone done this on a 67 or 68? Does a floor shift column have to have the slot moved like on an automatic column?

Any suggestions are welcome.

**FL71C10** · 06-04-2017, 09:00 AM

Thanks Firedemon. Do I need to worry about metal shavings getting into the column?

**FL71C10** · 06-22-2017, 09:21 PM

How hard is the intermediate shaft to separate from the main steering column?

RustyBucket · 06-22-2017, 09:53 PM

Not bad as I recall, rag joint bolts and the one in the clamp. Wiggled it around some, cussed it a little, and it came out. I had the front wheels jacked up so I could turn the column to get to the nuts/bolts. Drilled the nylon pins & cooked it with a MAP torch til the goo ran out. Didn't have to beat it much. The thing I hadn't planned on is that the wheel gets CLOSER to the seat as it moves down toward the dash. Makes it tight to get my thigh between the seat and bottom of the wheel.

*randy500* · 06-22-2017, 10:17 PM

I don't think a 68 has an intermediate shaft. If it doesn't then take the steering wheel off it will give you more clearance toremove the column. You can collapse the shaft on the one piece design the same as an intermediate shaft.
For the locating slot, just drill a hole, 5/16 or so, that's what GM did on some van columns and it's much easier to do than cutting the slot

**FL71C10** · 06-22-2017, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyBucket

Not bad as I recall, rag joint bolts and the one in the clamp. Wiggled it around some, cussed it a little, and it came out. I had the front wheels jacked up so I could turn the column to get to the nuts/bolts. Drilled the nylon pins & cooked it with a MAP torch til the goo ran out. Didn't have to beat it much. The thing I hadn't planned on is that the wheel gets CLOSER to the seat as it moves down toward the dash. Makes it tight to get my thigh between the seat and bottom of the wheel.

I'm a little worried about that too. I have an aftermarket wheel if it's too big.

RustyBucket · 06-23-2017, 12:21 AM

The Impala wheel and the stock one are the same Dia. A tilt column would cure it, only takes $$$.

Ruscal · 06-23-2017, 01:25 AM

The floor shift column should be easier than the auto one, as you don't need to relocate the neutral safety switch up higher. I did an auto one and moved the switch. I telescoped the intermediate shaft using a hammer blow to shear the plastic pins. No heat.
I had a small diameter wheel which helped on the thigh clearance, but wanted a little more space, so went with a flat bottom wheel. I am getting used to that now! It is a little different..
I have a left over floor shift column that I didn't use, since I went with Ididit Rack and pinion length column witch is shorter than stock. I had to modify the instrument cluster to allow the bell on the column to fit into the panel a ways. Mine is a '67 with manual trans.
Russ

Ramjet51 · 08-20-2017, 09:24 AM

Ok guys....How much can you gain by shortening the column? My C10 is in a million pieces.....

Are you doing several inches?

**FL71C10** · 08-20-2017, 10:37 AM

I think it's noticeable. I probably moved it 1 1/2 inches. I probably had another inch available, but didnt want to go too far and make the wheel crowding my knees, especially with a manual transmission.

06-03-2017, 05:24 PM	#1
FL71C10 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 2,509	Shortening steering column I just got a "new" 68 C10 and I want to shorten the steering column. It is a 4 speed truck, and I was wondering if anyone has ever done this with a 4 speed column. I read putter's thread in the Tech FAQ section, and am wondering how hard it will be to take the steering column out with the emergency brake handle and parts that are bolted to the column. Has anyone done this on a 67 or 68? Does a floor shift column have to have the slot moved like on an automatic column? Any suggestions are welcome. __________________ 71 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside. LT1 with 4l60E. Just got back from painter, in assembly now.

06-04-2017, 09:00 AM	#2
FL71C10 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 2,509	Re: Shortening steering column Thanks Firedemon. Do I need to worry about metal shavings getting into the column? __________________ 71 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside. LT1 with 4l60E. Just got back from painter, in assembly now.

06-22-2017, 09:21 PM	#3
FL71C10 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 2,509	Re: Shortening steering column How hard is the intermediate shaft to separate from the main steering column? __________________ 71 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside. LT1 with 4l60E. Just got back from painter, in assembly now.

06-22-2017, 09:53 PM	#4
RustyBucket Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Space Coast, Fl. Posts: 1,055	Re: Shortening steering column Not bad as I recall, rag joint bolts and the one in the clamp. Wiggled it around some, cussed it a little, and it came out. I had the front wheels jacked up so I could turn the column to get to the nuts/bolts. Drilled the nylon pins & cooked it with a MAP torch til the goo ran out. Didn't have to beat it much. The thing I hadn't planned on is that the wheel gets CLOSER to the seat as it moves down toward the dash. Makes it tight to get my thigh between the seat and bottom of the wheel. Attached Images __________________ Dad always said, "Son, WISH IN ONE HAND, and ......." -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Current toy trucks: '71 GMC 1500 SUPER CUSTOM short/step, orig. dk. blue, 350/700r, ps,pb, A/C '72 Blazer 2wd, ochre & white, 454, tremecTKO 500 5spd. ps, pb, A/C, tilt Last 10yrs of hobby vehicles, had a FEW more in the 50yrs. before these: '66 Plymouth Belvedere City of Miami cop car clone. '70 Nova 406"sb, 13.5-1, solid roller, Brodix, p.glide/t.brake, back halved, 9" Ford, spool 4.88, cage,ladder bar/coilover, 10.5 tire....... SOLD!! '67 C10 short/step side mount spare -- SOLD!! '72 Jimmy 2wd, 350/350, ps, pb, fun driver, lots of bondo & a shiny red paint job..... SOLD!! '69 Nova 350, 4spd, A/C, ps, p.b, ...SOLD!! Last edited by RustyBucket; 06-22-2017 at 09:58 PM. Reason: add photo

06-22-2017, 10:17 PM	#5
randy500 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 6,873	Re: Shortening steering column I don't think a 68 has an intermediate shaft. If it doesn't then take the steering wheel off it will give you more clearance toremove the column. You can collapse the shaft on the one piece design the same as an intermediate shaft. For the locating slot, just drill a hole, 5/16 or so, that's what GM did on some van columns and it's much easier to do than cutting the slot

06-23-2017, 12:21 AM	#7
RustyBucket Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Space Coast, Fl. Posts: 1,055	Re: Shortening steering column The Impala wheel and the stock one are the same Dia. A tilt column would cure it, only takes $$$. __________________ Dad always said, "Son, WISH IN ONE HAND, and ......." -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Current toy trucks: '71 GMC 1500 SUPER CUSTOM short/step, orig. dk. blue, 350/700r, ps,pb, A/C '72 Blazer 2wd, ochre & white, 454, tremecTKO 500 5spd. ps, pb, A/C, tilt Last 10yrs of hobby vehicles, had a FEW more in the 50yrs. before these: '66 Plymouth Belvedere City of Miami cop car clone. '70 Nova 406"sb, 13.5-1, solid roller, Brodix, p.glide/t.brake, back halved, 9" Ford, spool 4.88, cage,ladder bar/coilover, 10.5 tire....... SOLD!! '67 C10 short/step side mount spare -- SOLD!! '72 Jimmy 2wd, 350/350, ps, pb, fun driver, lots of bondo & a shiny red paint job..... SOLD!! '69 Nova 350, 4spd, A/C, ps, p.b, ...SOLD!!

06-23-2017, 01:25 AM	#8
Ruscal Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Carlsbad, California Posts: 165	Re: Shortening steering column The floor shift column should be easier than the auto one, as you don't need to relocate the neutral safety switch up higher. I did an auto one and moved the switch. I telescoped the intermediate shaft using a hammer blow to shear the plastic pins. No heat. I had a small diameter wheel which helped on the thigh clearance, but wanted a little more space, so went with a flat bottom wheel. I am getting used to that now! It is a little different.. I have a left over floor shift column that I didn't use, since I went with Ididit Rack and pinion length column witch is shorter than stock. I had to modify the instrument cluster to allow the bell on the column to fit into the panel a ways. Mine is a '67 with manual trans. Russ __________________ RC

08-20-2017, 09:24 AM	#9
Ramjet51 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Raleigh Posts: 97	Re: Shortening steering column Ok guys....How much can you gain by shortening the column? My C10 is in a million pieces..... Are you doing several inches? __________________ You'll never know unless you try

08-20-2017, 10:37 AM	#10
FL71C10 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 2,509	Re: Shortening steering column I think it's noticeable. I probably moved it 1 1/2 inches. I probably had another inch available, but didnt want to go too far and make the wheel crowding my knees, especially with a manual transmission. __________________ 71 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside. LT1 with 4l60E. Just got back from painter, in assembly now.



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