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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 246 | Does anyone else have this problem . I been working on my 53 for 5 years now and I really never drove it when I got it but I noticed yesterday when I go to step on the brake my knee hits the steering wheel even worse while in second gear . Seems like the brake is too high but it's in original spot . Is there any adjustment anywhere . It's 4. Speed on the floor . | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 | Pretty common problem. You didn't tell us how tall you are, but if your over 6ft you will likely have the problem. One cure is changing out the steering column to a tilt such as Ididit or Flaming River. Folks back in '53 weren't as tall I guess.
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 | have you been working on the seat,... you mean this is the first time you have sit in the seat since you bought it
Redryder pixMy HotrodA veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life."I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 246 | | | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 246 | Was just trying to figure out cuz I did a full ground up resto that maybe something is out of alignment like maybe the cab or steering column . If I'm in 3 or 4 th gear I can step on the brake it's only when I'm in first cuz it's so close to my leg that I can't lift my leg to hit the brake | | | | | Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,115 Insomniac | | Insomniac Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,115 | I'm 6'1" and I have the same problem. Also, the knob hits the upholstery when shifting into reverse. I'm thinking about taking the shifter off and bending it.
Gord 🇨🇦
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1954 1/2 ton 235 4 speed
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 130 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 130 | I have a 49-3100 and I had a similar problem.
I was to fat and hit the steering wheel. Took out the back of the seat removed the springs and replaced with 2" of dense foam and gained 4-5" of room behind the wheel.
You could do same with bottom of seat to lower your body. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,696 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,696 | Being just 5'-7", I've never had such problems and thank god for I drive my truck 3-4 times a week.
Craig My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
| | | | | Joined: May 2013 Posts: 82 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2013 Posts: 82 | My '52 is all original. I am 6 feet tall, and that steering wheel is right in the middle of my chest. Barely enough room to actuate the pedals without my knees hitting the wheel. Just one of the many charms with these old girls.
'52 Chevy 1/2 ton running original gear
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 | Are you saying that the shifter gets in the way of your knee, preventing you from lifting your leg in first gear?
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 | Gee, I wonder how any of folks that bought these trucks when they were new survived. My dad was short and I never heard him complain
when he bought his new 49 GMC, but it did have 3 on the tree
I never had any trouble with my 52, I made a few 500 and 1,000 mile trips in it. No power,no air, no heat, just a nice seat
The Mod here has a stock burb, I think 52 and he has driven it all over the USA, all stock..never heard him complain about driving it..
and stock steering wheel, four speed and then switched to 5 speed.. I love driving it, and I was in my 60's back when I drove it.. I wish I still had it
Last edited by joker; 12/05/2016 4:30 AM.
Redryder pixMy HotrodA veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life."I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | joker,
The panel-body seats are, I think, a little further away from the steering wheel than the seats on an A-D standard cab (pickup) truck. At least, that is what I recall on my panel, suburban, and pickup (except for the pickup with a Ride-Control (Unison) seat.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,946 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,946 | My Big Bolt has plenty of room. I'm 6'3". | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 | I had the same problem with reverse. I removed the shifter and bent it. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2016 Posts: 1 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2016 Posts: 1 | I would take the tank out ,and move the seat back...mine is the same...
53 chevy 1/2 t-5-windw
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | On my '54, 1st., I raised the seat 1.5", 20" steering wheel.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,516 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,516 | I cut 4" from my steering column.,
Removed the shifter lever and bent it to where I wanted it.
Very simple, just use your imagineering!
You may get your fingers dirty while attempting the above tasks. | | |
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