"Shortening" my steering column.

[suburban99]

Ok I have decided to shorten my steering column as others have done...remove the plastic rivets and collapse the shaft another 3" or so to give me more room. My question is what happens to the 4 bolts that hold the bracket to the underside of the dash? Do I have to move the nuts up the column?

[jayoldschool]

Please keep us posted with a how to. I could use more space.

[perro13]

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[Tony S.]

Lord I need to do this. I'm a big guy.

[pestwagon]

I shortened mine 2 inches about 1 1/2 years ago. That, raising the rear view mirroe 2 inches and using a smaller steering wheel helped a lot. I had used a P/S conversion bracket with steering column rod to rag joint metal adapter. I would not attempt to weld the column rod.

I used the original mounts (4 bolts) and shortened the column 2 inches as shown by Astonaut (member) a while back on his build. I also cut the column cover so it would fit over the shortened column. Sorry no pics but you can figure it out...

[The1960APE]

I just installed a Flaming River tilt column, (I wanted tilt and needed a column shift that would work with a 4L80E) It actually provides the same result you guys are looking for if you don't mind the cost, It has moved the steering wheel position away from the driver about 3-4 inches!

[Slambone]

Originally Posted by The1960APE

I just installed a Flaming River tilt column, (I wanted tilt and needed a column shift that would work with a 4L80E) It actually provides the same result you guys are looking for if you don't mind the cost, It has moved the steering wheel position away from the driver about 3-4 inches!

Do you have pics of it, and where did you get it? I thought I saw where there were short ones pre-made. But now that I want to buy one I can't find them anywhere.

[suburban99]

I can only shorten 2-1/2" or the neutral/reverse switch will hit the firewall. So i trimmed the existing outside column 3" so it will fit in the stock dash bracket. Then cut the lower "weldnuts" off the column and will re-weld them above the old upper ones. Hard to explain so here's a couple of pictures..Column is GMC pickup unsure of the year but probably around '78?