Has anyone shorten the steering column? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

yellowGT · 02-22-2008, 01:50 AM

I have a 69 and I am wondering if you could shorten the steering column for comfort. Its not a tilt. Any idea of how to do it?

67ChevyRedneck · 02-22-2008, 02:21 AM

This may help:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...olumn+collapse

lowrollin70gmc · 02-22-2008, 02:21 AM

I did mine a few months ago. There's a how to somewhere around here, but I did mine slightly differently.

When I dropped the column I noticed that there was a small hole 3" above a slot (the slot retains a tab for the column) Anyways, I drilled the hole out to accept the tab that originally went in the slot. That took care of that.

If I remember correctly, some stuff on the bottom of the column had to be moved or shifted around, but I can't remember exactly. I also ground off my shift forks, as my 3 on the tree is now on the floor.

Finally, take the steering linkage out and collapse it by heating to melt the plastic and pushing it 3" shorter.

(The FAQ does it better than me and with pictures.)

lowrollin70gmc · 02-22-2008, 02:22 AM

Posted at exactly the same time, creepy.

kyull67 · 02-22-2008, 02:22 AM

Here's the FAQ write up by putter.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=191143
Many, including myself have done it.

Putter · 02-23-2008, 07:52 PM

If you have any questions YellowGT, just give me a shout.

pro street 70 · 02-24-2008, 12:44 AM

I Used 84 Camaro Column .took Stock Column Apart Cut Shaft 5 Inches Into Column And Slid Up Into Camaro Column Near Fire Wall. Then Drilled Hole Through Bolth Shafts And Plug Welded And Also Welded Shafts Wear Thay Meet And Tapered Into Each Outher.simple Tab At Top Of Column And It Is A Tilt Also. Mounted Shift Lite Were Stock Key Would Be AND ITS SHORTER THAN STOCK COLUMN

72swb_327stroker_? · 02-24-2008, 01:01 AM

putter, you rock for this one!!!!!!!!

prg machine · 02-24-2008, 02:30 AM

with my long legs.........if i were to shorten the steering wheel then |i wouldn't have leg room!!

eightbanger · 02-24-2008, 03:34 AM

A big thanks to putter for blazing the trail, and to 72swb for showing me the way.

This place is the best!!

BigSky71 · 02-24-2008, 11:35 AM

I shortened mine [auto non tilt] and relocated the neutral safety switch to keep in the cab. I really didn't want to take the entire column apart but it had to be done to get the wheel closer to the dash. First pick is the inside tube with the new tab to operate the switch, second pict is obviously the modded outer tube. I think I moved the NSS 3" up the column. Bad picture of interior but my shift cone is about 1/2" from the dash.

72swb_327stroker_? · 02-24-2008, 02:41 PM

wow!
nice interior bigsky71, that looks great!!!!!!

BigSky71 · 02-24-2008, 09:57 PM

Thanks 72swb, it is still a work in progress but coming along. I plan to shave the entire center of the dash next, should have done it when the truck was apart.

02-22-2008, 01:50 AM	#1
yellowGT Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Garland, TX Posts: 970	Has anyone shorten the steering column? I have a 69 and I am wondering if you could shorten the steering column for comfort. Its not a tilt. Any idea of how to do it? __________________ '84 swb chevy '69 swb chevy '68 swb chevy '95 Impala ss-sold '89 chevy crew cab dually 3+3

02-22-2008, 02:21 AM	#2
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Has anyone shorten the steering column? This may help: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...olumn+collapse __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

02-22-2008, 02:21 AM	#3
lowrollin70gmc Too many projects Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fargo, ND land of the flat hills Posts: 1,147	Re: Has anyone shorten the steering column? I did mine a few months ago. There's a how to somewhere around here, but I did mine slightly differently. When I dropped the column I noticed that there was a small hole 3" above a slot (the slot retains a tab for the column) Anyways, I drilled the hole out to accept the tab that originally went in the slot. That took care of that. If I remember correctly, some stuff on the bottom of the column had to be moved or shifted around, but I can't remember exactly. I also ground off my shift forks, as my 3 on the tree is now on the floor. Finally, take the steering linkage out and collapse it by heating to melt the plastic and pushing it 3" shorter. (The FAQ does it better than me and with pictures.) __________________ Andrew 84 GMC C1500 SWB 6.2 Diesel/700R4/3.42 "Grandpa's odd duck" 70 GMC C1500 LWB My first truck: shaved, bagged, and more: the lowrollin70gmc 68 K20 Suburban 12V Cummins/NV5600/NP205/D60/11.5AAM 3.73s "Dakota Cadillac" 63 Chevy II Nova Coupe 250 I6/T56/4.56s "Economy car" 53 Willys Wagon 350/NV4500/BW4401/HP D44/9inch “Winter Wagon” 30 Model A 16 Focus ST

02-22-2008, 02:22 AM	#4
lowrollin70gmc Too many projects Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fargo, ND land of the flat hills Posts: 1,147	Re: Has anyone shorten the steering column? Posted at exactly the same time, creepy. __________________ Andrew 84 GMC C1500 SWB 6.2 Diesel/700R4/3.42 "Grandpa's odd duck" 70 GMC C1500 LWB My first truck: shaved, bagged, and more: the lowrollin70gmc 68 K20 Suburban 12V Cummins/NV5600/NP205/D60/11.5AAM 3.73s "Dakota Cadillac" 63 Chevy II Nova Coupe 250 I6/T56/4.56s "Economy car" 53 Willys Wagon 350/NV4500/BW4401/HP D44/9inch “Winter Wagon” 30 Model A 16 Focus ST

02-22-2008, 02:22 AM	#5
kyull67 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Springfield/Kansas City Posts: 1,842	Re: Has anyone shorten the steering column? Here's the FAQ write up by putter. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=191143 Many, including myself have done it. __________________ The first '67 The current '67 '63 Biscayne

02-23-2008, 07:52 PM	#6
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	Re: Has anyone shorten the steering column? If you have any questions YellowGT, just give me a shout. __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**

02-24-2008, 12:44 AM	#7
pro street 70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: oakville ct Posts: 23	Re: Has anyone shorten the steering column? I Used 84 Camaro Column .took Stock Column Apart Cut Shaft 5 Inches Into Column And Slid Up Into Camaro Column Near Fire Wall. Then Drilled Hole Through Bolth Shafts And Plug Welded And Also Welded Shafts Wear Thay Meet And Tapered Into Each Outher.simple Tab At Top Of Column And It Is A Tilt Also. Mounted Shift Lite Were Stock Key Would Be AND ITS SHORTER THAN STOCK COLUMN __________________ 1970 chevy short step blown 355

02-24-2008, 01:01 AM	#8
72swb_327stroker_? knuckle buster.. Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Frisco Posts: 613	Re: Has anyone shorten the steering column? putter, you rock for this one!!!!!!!! __________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Eric THIS SITE ROCKS!!! Check out my suburban on 20's with fresh paint! Click here to support the site Check out the Member Photo Gallery here StreetCruizin FAQ thread Site vendors list (scroll down to vendors in red) join the the smilies fight club

02-24-2008, 02:30 AM	#9
prg machine Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 1,069	Re: Has anyone shorten the steering column? with my long legs.........if i were to shorten the steering wheel then \|i wouldn't have leg room!! __________________ 69 K-20 cloned to a 67 with front clip and some other stuff. 383 .040 over Crane roller cam lifters and rockers ,1.6 intake ratio, Open chamber heads, 9.5-1 compression ratio, 2.02 intake valves , Edelbrock performer Air Gap manifold Carter AFB performer 750cfm, MSD ignition, SM465 NP205 4.10 gears:

02-24-2008, 03:34 AM	#10
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Re: Has anyone shorten the steering column? A big thanks to putter for blazing the trail, and to 72swb for showing me the way. This place is the best!! __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger

02-24-2008, 11:35 AM	#11
BigSky71 LAIDOUT Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NW Montana Posts: 928	Re: Has anyone shorten the steering column? I shortened mine [auto non tilt] and relocated the neutral safety switch to keep in the cab. I really didn't want to take the entire column apart but it had to be done to get the wheel closer to the dash. First pick is the inside tube with the new tab to operate the switch, second pict is obviously the modded outer tube. I think I moved the NSS 3" up the column. Bad picture of interior but my shift cone is about 1/2" from the dash. Attached Images __________________ 67 2wd Shorty Build Pictures Last edited by BigSky71; 02-24-2008 at 11:38 AM.

02-24-2008, 02:41 PM	#12
72swb_327stroker_? knuckle buster.. Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Frisco Posts: 613	Re: Has anyone shorten the steering column? wow! nice interior bigsky71, that looks great!!!!!! __________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Eric THIS SITE ROCKS!!! Check out my suburban on 20's with fresh paint! Click here to support the site Check out the Member Photo Gallery here StreetCruizin FAQ thread Site vendors list (scroll down to vendors in red) join the the smilies fight club

02-24-2008, 09:57 PM	#13
BigSky71 LAIDOUT Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NW Montana Posts: 928	Re: Has anyone shorten the steering column? Thanks 72swb, it is still a work in progress but coming along. I plan to shave the entire center of the dash next, should have done it when the truck was apart. __________________ 67 2wd Shorty Build Pictures

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