steering column length

[50adrod]

I want to install a flaming river or ididit tilt column with the shift on the column. what length should it be? I know it would be better to have my seats but I dont yet and need to make up the linkage and cut the new firewall so i can paint the cab.

[mr48chev]

I would think your best bet would be to dummy up a column with either the wheel you intend to use or one of similar dimensions and then take some measurements. unless you mount it back in the stock position and then adjust for the depth of the wheel I don't see how you can get a comfortable fit without having the seat of choice in there to get a really good feel of things.

[50adrod]

I will mount it where the stock column was. they make various drop mounts if i need to bring it down more. maybe I need to go seat shoping at the local u pull it yard

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

If you must do this without the seat the best bet is to buy a tilt column. That will give you more flexibility if your just guessing where it should go.

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by BIG CHEVY 3600

If you must do this without the seat the best bet is to buy a tilt column. That will give you more flexibility if your just guessing where it should go.

yes it will be a tilt column, what is the height to the top of the stock bottom seat cushion? I will be building mounts for the bucket seats so I can control the height. thanks

[OrrieG]

I really think you need to get your seats first. I am starting to deal with the same issue; I have the column and seats and am going to wait until I have the cab back on the frame to mock it up. I have found to much variance vertically and horizontally to try and guess. I am using a 74 truck tilt column and 05 Yukon third row seat. You can adjust where the bottom goes through the floor/firewall, the column drop at the dash, distance from the floor to steering wheel, height of seat, distance of seat from the dash and wheel, and rake of the seat. Moving one affects the rest and clearances in the engine compartment to headers, steering boxes, brake boosters and lines. If you look at the build threads, the steering is usually one of the last things figured out when all of the fixed stuff that can be affected is installed.

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

I really think you need to get your seats first. I am starting to deal with the same issue; I have the column and seats and am going to wait until I have the cab back on the frame to mock it up. I have found to much variance vertically and horizontally to try and guess. I am using a 74 truck tilt column and 05 Yukon third row seat. You can adjust where the bottom goes through the floor/firewall, the column drop at the dash, distance from the floor to steering wheel, height of seat, distance of seat from the dash and wheel, and rake of the seat. Moving one affects the rest and clearances in the engine compartment to headers, steering boxes, brake boosters and lines. If you look at the build threads, the steering is usually one of the last things figured out when all of the fixed stuff that can be affected is installed.

yes I think I will just wait until I get the seats. I just would rather have cut the hole before I painted the firewall because after the cab is bolted down and the engine is in you can not get to the firewall for paint.