I feel like the steering wheel on my 67 suburban is sitting right in my lap. I'm not a plump fellow, so I'm curious if this is the correct column? The truck was apparently rat (censored) by a previous owner. There were quite a few parts missing and incorrect parts in place.
I think that I would like to find a tilt column, but they are pretty pricey, which means I will have to deal with it.
Another quality post. Real Trucks Rattle HELP! The Paranoids are after me!
Rusty, the local Pick a Part will be your best bet for an inexpensive steering column. GM used virtually the same column over many years and makes/models. Take your tape measure and go for it.ðŸ›
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)
The "dished" steering wheel was one of the first attempts at protecting drivers in case of a crash. It allowed a couple of inches of deflection of the steering wheel before a driver's chest encountered the steering shaft. If you change over to a slightly smaller diameter, flatter shaped custom wheel, you'll gain a few inches of room for "fallen chest muscles"- - - - -just remember to wear a seat belt, and/or adapt a seat belt/shoulder harness setup to the truck. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
It’s possible to modify and move that original column closer to the dash. However, that also moves the steering wheel closer to your knees, which isn’t a great trade off. If you add power steering, change to a smaller steering wheel, AND move the column closer to the dash, you just might find things feel good again, BUT IT’S A LOT OF WORK!
In my 65 C10, I cut the column shorter and moved the steering wheel 3” closer to the dash when I installed a power steering box. It was easy because I have a floor shifter. I have plans to change to a smaller SW this summer.
There's only one safe way to shorten a steering column, and it involves machining both ends of the cutoff shaft for a "Double D" coupling that's available from various racing parts suppliers. Simply cutting a chunk out of the worm gear shaft and welding it back together can create a stress point that can result in the weld breaking and losing steering control in case you hit a hard bump or a pothole. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
I know you recently installed Suburban seats. Being that the seat are power did you have the seat track fully forward when you mounted them, that wound give you more movement to the rear. The seats in my 05' Yukon also move up and down, not sure if yours do?
~ Craig 1958 Viking 4400 "The Book of Thor" Read the story in the DITY 1960 Chevrolet C10 "A Family Heirloom" Follow the story in the DITY Gallery '59 Apache 31, 327 V8 (0.030 over), Muncie M20 4 Speed, GM 10 Bolt Rear... long term project (30 years and counting)
If you don't like driving yourTruck, you won't drive yourTruck..| Living life in the SLOW lane
There's only one safe way to shorten a steering column, and it involves machining both ends of the cutoff shaft for a "Double D" coupling that's available from various racing parts suppliers. Jerry
I had a machinist cut the lower 2” of my shortened original shaft to a DD shape, used a U-joint with two through bolts, and improved the safety with a telescoping DD connection to the steering box. That is the ONLY way I’d recommend doing this. The slip on “round” lower shaft pieces that are welded to the original shaft have the risks you mentioned. HERE ARE THE DETAILS of what I did to mine but it doesn’t show the steering column shaft end very well. It has a DD end with a through bolt for the U-joint.
Good show! However, not everyone who is reading this thread might be aware of the hazards involved with cutting and welding on steering components. Some of the "resto-rod" projects I inspect for potential buyers have some Rube Goldberg modifications that would scare the wits out of a Hollywood stunt man who makes a living doing deadly dangerous stuff! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
