***EDITED 3/16***

After taking off the fall and most of the winter I'm finally back to work on my 51' 1/2 ton!

I have been trying to figure out how to create some clearance between my belly and the steering wheel and came up with the following options:

1.New column and steering box. I could even keep the original column and just cut it and use a borgensen joint to connect it to a new box. The box would have to be manual since there isn't anywhere to mount a p/s pump on my 261 now that I've got a/c. Problem is, I don't know of any boxes that could mount in the original location and I don't want to cut the fenders to use a saginaw box. Does anyone know if a reveresed corvair box would work?

2.Get rid of the springs in the back of the seat and use a piece of plywood instead.

3.Cut a couple of inches out of the original column, tig or mig weld it back together, sleeve it and then take an equal amount out of the column housing aka Mast Jacket.

4.Southbeach diet and don't drive til I'm back down to my fighting weight.

I'm leaning towards option 3: cutting, welding and sleeving the original column 'cause it'll keep the original look and feel and I won't have to mess with the original seat.

Any suggestions or tips?

'51 Chevy 1/2 ton w/'62 261, HEI, offy, fentons, dual carter/webbers, t-5 & 12 bolt posi