Rag joints are used to correct for minor misalignment between the steering box and column when they are SEPERATE units, with the box mounted to the frame and the column mounted to the body. The steering box and column in Redcoat's '54 are 1 piece. That is, the steering column is a 1-piece shaft from the steering wheel all the way down to the worm gear. If you cut the column and seperate the box and column to add a rag joint for some reason, you will need to add a seal at the top of the box to keep the dirt and water out, a bushing at the bottom of the column to support the steering shaft at that end, and mount the steering column much stronger than it is now. Right now the steering column gets most of it's support from being an integral part of the steering box and only needs a clamp at the dashboard to support it at that end. You can take the body off an AD truck and still steer the chassis with the box and column only bolted to the frame. Once you cut the column and shaft away from the steering box and seperate them, the column will need to be mounted better to have any strength.
