Retrofit Steering Column for More Room Behind the Wheel

[Anadrol]

I have been wanting a better looking steering column anyway, and I could also use more ROOM behind the wheel of this bad boy.

I am looking for guidance on buying a new steering column. My primary reason for this would be to increase the distance between the driver and the steering wheel. A lot of aftermarket columns advertise "several inches of telescoping adjustment" but that could mean you can bring the wheel 3 inches CLOSER to you than it is with the stock column, and their advertising would be correct still.

I need a column that gives me more room. I'd like for it to be somewhat dressy, but whatever creates the most space would be best.

[Slofarmtruck]

Have you tried something as simple as a smaller steering wheel. I know my last grant wheel I used a 3" spacer to place the wheel close to where the stock one was. Without that spacer the wheel would obviously be further away. Plus most aftermarket wheels are smaller in diameter which in my opinion helps alot also.

[slugish]

Iknow its pretty major , but most go to a tilt coluum with a smaller steering wheel

[BLE 'BURBAN]

I'm 5'10" 325#s with a 48" waist and my steering wheel was always rubbing my belly and staining my shirts with dirt trails

I went from a standard column to a tilt column and gained just a little bit of clearance. Changed out the wheel to a grant and got even more room. But my biggest gain in distance from the wheel was when I swapped out the factory bench seat with a set of aftermarket bucket seats with a center console/jumper seat combo in it. the seat travels a bit further than the stock seat did as well.
The factory seat all the way back I could still comfortably reach the pedals but with the aftermarket seats all the way back, I'm having to stretch to reach the pedals.

[Anadrol]

Originally Posted by BLE 'BURBAN

I'm 5'10" 325#s with a 48" waist and my steering wheel was always rubbing my belly and staining my shirts with dirt trails

I went from a standard column to a tilt column and gained just a little bit of clearance. Changed out the wheel to a grant and got even more room. But my biggest gain in distance from the wheel was when I swapped out the factory bench seat with a set of aftermarket bucket seats with a center console/jumper seat combo in it. the seat travels a bit further than the stock seat did as well.
The factory seat all the way back I could still comfortably reach the pedals but with the aftermarket seats all the way back, I'm having to stretch to reach the pedals.

Burban,
Can you provide pictures and/or purchasing info on the type of seat you got? Sounds exactly like what I'm looking for.

To All:
I DO have a Grant steering wheel. That was my first step. It's 13" as opposed to the 16-17" ?? Stock wheel. It did help a lot, but my buddy that owns this truck with me is 7ft tall, and we've got to make up more room. My column is a tilt column that was there when I bought the truck. I'm not sure if it was factory or not, but it's black, it had the big Chevy steering wheel on it, it's got tilt, turn signals, and ignition, and it appears factory to me.

-The factory bench has gotta go. Hopefully Burban can help me with that.

-I want to get an aftermarket tilt/telescoping column and possible even modify it to make it shorter. I can see a ton of wasted room between the dash and the wheel on my column right now. There's got to be a shorter one that makes better use of space and provides more room for the driver.

-I might get another steering wheel anyway. The one I bought was cheap, and it's a little to thin for my liking. I don't know if I can go smaller than 13" though. That's pretty damn small.

[Big Port Jimmy 6]

You could in theory put the top part of an eighties caddy telescoping column on your truck lower. All of the switches and pieces should swap. I would have to measure though to make sure it was any shorter. You also could shorten the stock column a couple of inches between the dash and shifter. It just depends on your skill and comfort level. Jay

[Anadrol]

I'd like to actually have a nice, chrome column that is dressy and flashy, but I can't buy one if I'm not positive it will give me more room. The ididit columns look like they'll only give me an extra inch, and I'd hate to start cutting on an expensive column like that.

[FLEET72]

Ididit does have quite a selection of different lengths in their universal line:

A universal column is a column that can be sized to fit your application. Universal series columns were typically manufactured for Street Rods & Hot Rods but several of our customers are pushing the boundaries of where our universal column can fit for them. The main focus is to know what length you would like your Universal Series Column.

Another option would be to shorten your stock column. It would require complete disassembly, cutting, grinding, welding and then you could chrome or paint it whatever color you like.

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Originally Posted by Anadrol

Burban,
Can you provide pictures and/or purchasing info on the type of seat you got? Sounds exactly like what I'm looking for.

To All:
I DO have a Grant steering wheel. That was my first step. It's 13" as opposed to the 16-17" ?? Stock wheel. It did help a lot, but my buddy that owns this truck with me is 7ft tall, and we've got to make up more room. My column is a tilt column that was there when I bought the truck. I'm not sure if it was factory or not, but it's black, it had the big Chevy steering wheel on it, it's got tilt, turn signals, and ignition, and it appears factory to me.

-The factory bench has gotta go. Hopefully Burban can help me with that.

-I want to get an aftermarket tilt/telescoping column and possible even modify it to make it shorter. I can see a ton of wasted room between the dash and the wheel on my column right now. There's got to be a shorter one that makes better use of space and provides more room for the driver.

-I might get another steering wheel anyway. The one I bought was cheap, and it's a little to thin for my liking. I don't know if I can go smaller than 13" though. That's pretty damn small.

Well the seats I've got in my suburban I found on craigslist a few months after I bought it off a used car lot up here back in '07. THe seller had them listed for $200.00 and said they would fit 73-87 chevys and up to 91 suburbans/crew cabs. WhenI went out to take a look at the seats, the seller came out of his house, looked at my 'burb and started laughing.... It was his originally!!! He'd bought it new in '89 and special ordered the bucket seats for it from someplace down south. Well after talking with him a bit and finding out that he'd pulled the seats out prior to trading it in, as he had intentions of installing them in another vehicle but never got around to it. Needless to say, I ended up with the seats for half his asking price.
I've added a few pics to show the seats and belly clearance I have with them as well as a link to a place that carries seats like mine
First the link.... http://www.discountvantruck.com/truc...truckseats.htm