Anyone have any ideas for a shorter steering column? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68 with 350 TPI · 06-16-2002, 11:18 PM

I was thinking about how my truck feels vs my camaro and I like how in the camaro I can stretch my arm out a bit to reach the steering wheel.

In my truck it seems that the wheel is almost in my lap and I would like it to sit back a bit further.

I was thinking about using a tilt but now I think I would just like the factory one shorter.

Any ideas?
Can you cut it out a bit and do some welding etc?
I was thinking if I could just get it down to where the column starts to tapper just behind the turn signal that would be great
and it would put the wheel alot closer to the dash.
Thanks for any input.

**Bowtie468** · 06-17-2002, 01:15 AM

68 with 350 TPI Take a look at Big Orange's '71 Surburban. It's running a column from an "89 Cavalier. Looks a little shorter to me. Looks like the steering wheel doesn't have as much "standoff" as the factory wheel. Hope this helps ! Click on " Bad Burban" and scroll down to photos.

www.classictruckworld.com

68 Suburban · 06-17-2002, 01:25 AM

I felt the same way and put a steering wheel out of a 92 Chevy truck n my truck. It made a big difference in comfort.

NSANE68!!! · 06-17-2002, 09:54 AM

Ok, here's what I did. Remove the column. Drill the rivets in steering shaft out. Stand steering column on end and pound the shaft down to shorten to desired length. I shortened mine 5", now the wheel is a full arm's length away.

68 with 350 TPI · 06-17-2002, 11:17 PM

NSANE 68,
Do you have any pics of this???

I was thinking about doing something like that but I wasent sure it would work.

da-burb · 06-18-2002, 12:32 AM

Sounds like you should get youself a van tilt. They look close enough like the truck tilts for a lot less money, and you can install them closer to the dash. Look at Chevy/GMC vans up to the late 70's with ignition on the dash.

**PICKMUP** · 06-18-2002, 03:47 AM

I think the van is a little longer than the truck, but you can move the columns down until the neutral switch hits the floor...and the van neutral switch is higher on the column. The wires/connectors are different from van to truck...so cut & splice is called for. Might work after you collapse the intermediate shaft.

TERRYP · 06-18-2002, 05:27 AM

Virtually all GM columns will collapse by shearing off the nylon 'rivets' that hold the collapsing portion of the column together. The main difficulty in getting a 'farther away steering wheel' is what to do with te shifter cylinder, it will not clear the dash without chewing up the dash panel.

Either enlarge the dash panel to accept pushing the column foreward, get a wheel with a different 'dish' (backspacing), or go floorshifter, and get rid of column shifter,.

NSANE68!!! · 06-18-2002, 10:59 AM

Sorry I don't have any pics. But that is exactly what I did. B&M Truck Megashifter on the floor, and smooth column, drilled the rivets and colapse till you are satisfied. Even the van tilts will need colapsed a little. I saw the van tilt done in Classic truck tech article 2-3 yrs ago. That's how I got the idea to colapse the steering. Good luck

68 with 350 TPI · 06-18-2002, 12:58 PM

Thaks guys

Im gona give it a try.

**Desert Rat** · 06-18-2002, 01:50 PM

think id get a tilt,and shear off pins oush to firewall till safety swith hits,can always relocate upwards on column,might affect dangle of shift linkage think id put in a tilt and flop it up

68 with 350 TPI · 06-18-2002, 04:31 PM

Shift linkage is no problem as Im going to put in a floor shifter

But thanks for the advise.

**Desert Rat** · 06-18-2002, 05:33 PM

How about a Cadillac tilt telescoping wheel,or vette column,caddy be cheaper.i lowered my column a little,a buddy of mine is like way up in the chest,mine i can kick back,drop an arm out the window,rollin on my 15x8 Rallys pimpin through the hood.

TERRYP · 06-19-2002, 01:06 PM

You can add telescope to any gm tilt column by getting everything from the u-joint up. There were 2 different length telescope options. I have tilt/telescope column shift in my 66 panel, but used mazda controls on the column so I'd have wiper and light controls handy. Use the cruize set button to kill tail lights, handy for flashing big rigs, and cruize on/off to toggle fog lights, never have to lean to dash.
but on the 68 c20, tilt adds just too much top length, and I undid that and used flat disk 'eurosport' wheel out of chevy station wagon
here is the 66 setup

06-16-2002, 11:18 PM	#1
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	Anyone have any ideas for a shorter steering column? I was thinking about how my truck feels vs my camaro and I like how in the camaro I can stretch my arm out a bit to reach the steering wheel. In my truck it seems that the wheel is almost in my lap and I would like it to sit back a bit further. I was thinking about using a tilt but now I think I would just like the factory one shorter. Any ideas? Can you cut it out a bit and do some welding etc? I was thinking if I could just get it down to where the column starts to tapper just behind the turn signal that would be great and it would put the wheel alot closer to the dash. Thanks for any input. __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

06-17-2002, 01:15 AM	#2
Bowtie468 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Cecilia, Louisiana Posts: 1,638	68 with 350 TPI Take a look at Big Orange's '71 Surburban. It's running a column from an "89 Cavalier. Looks a little shorter to me. Looks like the steering wheel doesn't have as much "standoff" as the factory wheel. Hope this helps ! Click on " Bad Burban" and scroll down to photos. www.classictruckworld.com __________________ Chris click here to see my buildpage http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=394656 ---------------------------------- 1979 C10 Silverado Big10 SWB Factory 454/400 Cardinal Red/Santa Fe Tan (original paint) 1968 C10 SWB Fleetside (Sold) 468BBC MultiPort TPI / Dynamic EFI P4 Black/Black 1963 Nova SS convertible (Sold) 194 I6/ PowerGlide

06-17-2002, 01:25 AM	#3
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	I felt the same way and put a steering wheel out of a 92 Chevy truck n my truck. It made a big difference in comfort. __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

06-17-2002, 09:54 AM	#4
NSANE68!!! SLICER AND DICIER Join Date: May 2001 Location: Quuen Creek Posts: 1,383	Ok, here's what I did. Remove the column. Drill the rivets in steering shaft out. Stand steering column on end and pound the shaft down to shorten to desired length. I shortened mine 5", now the wheel is a full arm's length away. __________________ 01 Tahoe 22's 2/4 drop and tv's 68 chevy money pit 51 chevy belair 95 Honda 900RR 05 GMC Siearra (company truck)

06-17-2002, 11:17 PM	#5
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	NSANE 68, Do you have any pics of this??? I was thinking about doing something like that but I wasent sure it would work. __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

06-18-2002, 12:32 AM	#6
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	Sounds like you should get youself a van tilt. They look close enough like the truck tilts for a lot less money, and you can install them closer to the dash. Look at Chevy/GMC vans up to the late 70's with ignition on the dash. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

06-18-2002, 03:47 AM	#7
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,121	I think the van is a little longer than the truck, but you can move the columns down until the neutral switch hits the floor...and the van neutral switch is higher on the column. The wires/connectors are different from van to truck...so cut & splice is called for. Might work after you collapse the intermediate shaft. __________________ Email: frankeham@comcast.net Phone: 360-956-7170

06-18-2002, 05:27 AM	#8
TERRYP GYRO GEARLOOSE Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Nevada City, CAEverett, WA Posts: 361	Virtually all GM columns will collapse by shearing off the nylon 'rivets' that hold the collapsing portion of the column together. The main difficulty in getting a 'farther away steering wheel' is what to do with te shifter cylinder, it will not clear the dash without chewing up the dash panel. Either enlarge the dash panel to accept pushing the column foreward, get a wheel with a different 'dish' (backspacing), or go floorshifter, and get rid of column shifter,. __________________ Nevada City, CA Everett, Washington 57 3/4 rat, 235, 3spd 66 C-10 Panel, SWB. 350 from '68, 200R4 tranny, 3.07 rear ratio, restoring 68 C10 LWB 350 4spd, 4.56 rear dump runner 82 Camaro, 305, THM-200-R4 84 Monte Carlo 305 TH350, land tuna 85 Tercel SW, snow runner DISGRACED OUTLAW MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB

06-18-2002, 10:59 AM	#9
NSANE68!!! SLICER AND DICIER Join Date: May 2001 Location: Quuen Creek Posts: 1,383	Sorry I don't have any pics. But that is exactly what I did. B&M Truck Megashifter on the floor, and smooth column, drilled the rivets and colapse till you are satisfied. Even the van tilts will need colapsed a little. I saw the van tilt done in Classic truck tech article 2-3 yrs ago. That's how I got the idea to colapse the steering. Good luck __________________ 01 Tahoe 22's 2/4 drop and tv's 68 chevy money pit 51 chevy belair 95 Honda 900RR 05 GMC Siearra (company truck)

06-18-2002, 12:58 PM	#10
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	Thaks guys Im gona give it a try. __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

06-18-2002, 01:50 PM	#11
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	think id get a tilt,and shear off pins oush to firewall till safety swith hits,can always relocate upwards on column,might affect dangle of shift linkage think id put in a tilt and flop it up

06-18-2002, 04:31 PM	#12
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	Shift linkage is no problem as Im going to put in a floor shifter But thanks for the advise. __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

06-18-2002, 05:33 PM	#13
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	How about a Cadillac tilt telescoping wheel,or vette column,caddy be cheaper.i lowered my column a little,a buddy of mine is like way up in the chest,mine i can kick back,drop an arm out the window,rollin on my 15x8 Rallys pimpin through the hood.

06-19-2002, 01:06 PM	#14
TERRYP GYRO GEARLOOSE Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Nevada City, CAEverett, WA Posts: 361	You can add telescope to any gm tilt column by getting everything from the u-joint up. There were 2 different length telescope options. I have tilt/telescope column shift in my 66 panel, but used mazda controls on the column so I'd have wiper and light controls handy. Use the cruize set button to kill tail lights, handy for flashing big rigs, and cruize on/off to toggle fog lights, never have to lean to dash. but on the 68 c20, tilt adds just too much top length, and I undid that and used flat disk 'eurosport' wheel out of chevy station wagon here is the 66 setup Attached Images __________________ Nevada City, CA Everett, Washington 57 3/4 rat, 235, 3spd 66 C-10 Panel, SWB. 350 from '68, 200R4 tranny, 3.07 rear ratio, restoring 68 C10 LWB 350 4spd, 4.56 rear dump runner 82 Camaro, 305, THM-200-R4 84 Monte Carlo 305 TH350, land tuna 85 Tercel SW, snow runner DISGRACED OUTLAW MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB



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