move steering wheel and column towards dash

[made2drag]

i was wondering if anyone has ever moved their steering wheel and column towards their dash by taking the whole steering column out and collasping the shaft near the rag joint. i have done it to my automatic 67 column and gained 3 inches and want to know if 73-87 columns can do this also, before i take it out and find out i cant. im assuming they can, but i havent seen anyone do it in their builds.

[made2drag]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=191143

this is the FAQ thread i used to do my 67's column. does anyone know if the 73-87 columns can be modified like this? thanks

[SSC's76]

Ive seen it before on the older ones like in the link but not sure if the newer ones can move back.. id like a few inches extra lol but seriously btt im interested.

[nekkidhillbilly]

theres a post where they did that to a square on here. youd have to search but i did see it. moved it 2 inches. my only complaint about a square is the steering wheel is right in your gut.

[andrewmp6]

Wouldn't a smaller steering wheel be easier?

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Wouldn't a smaller steering wheel be easier?

i do have a smaller one on it, but i mainly wanted the extra reach. it made a huge difference in my 67. its like moving your bench seat back 2 inches

[made2drag]

come to think of it, i gained 2 not 3 inches on the 67.

[N2TRUX]

I don't know about collapsing the column, but if you don't have a tilt I highly recommend getting one. It made my truck much more comfortable to drive.

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I don't know about collapsing the column, but if you don't have a tilt I highly recommend getting one. It made my truck much more comfortable to drive.

mine has tilt and a smaller steering wheel....change from stock made a big difference but i still want a little more reach. im thinking i may try collasping the shaft to get the extra 2 inches. may give it a try in the next month or so....before it gets 100 degrees outside....haha

[made2drag]

guys, thanks for the comments so far

[joe231]

I think the limiting factor is going to be the column to dash bracket. It may need some modification...
Posted via Mobile Device

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by joe231

I think the limiting factor is going to be the column to dash bracket. It may need some modification...
Posted via Mobile Device

good to know, thanks

wish i could find someone who has done it to see what kind of other obstacles i'll face to see if its really worth it

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Wouldn't a smaller steering wheel be easier?

even then i think the wheel is to close to you

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by made2drag

good to know, thanks

wish i could find someone who has done it to see what kind of other obstacles i'll face to see if its really worth it

seems like they had to shorten the part or collapse it and the cut off the bracket and reweld it on up the column like i said its on here on the board i dont think it has any pictures but is on here.

[ghettoluxury]

this topic came up not too long ago if i remember correctly the guy put an s10 column in to gain the room needed.

[Pop's C-10]

No gut, but 6'3'' & i collapsed mine & tha bracket will have to be modded..even with tilt it seems like it crowds you..

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

No gut, but 6'3'' & i collapsed mine & tha bracket will have to be modded..even with tilt it seems like it crowds you..

so just the bracket needs to be modded and the rest bolts back? so unbolt it, place the steering wheel on the ground with the rag joint up, tap the shaft down 2 inches, then bolt it back up after modding the bracket and that's it, right?

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by ghettoluxury

this topic came up not too long ago if i remember correctly the guy put an s10 column in to gain the room needed.

hmmm...ok, because it's shorter i guess

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

seems like they had to shorten the part or collapse it and the cut off the bracket and reweld it on up the column like i said its on here on the board i dont think it has any pictures but is on here.

yeah, pictures would be best but maybe i can find another thread, but thanks for the input

[BaggedRanger]

I just solved that problem by getting a shorter column. I think the one I bought is like 4" shorter than the factory.. The one thing that sucks is that they sent me the wrong column so Monday I get to call them to ship out another one. Either way that is another option that you have..

[Pop's C-10]

Originally Posted by made2drag

so just the bracket needs to be modded and the rest bolts back? so unbolt it, place the steering wheel on the ground with the rag joint up, tap the shaft down 2 inches, then bolt it back up after modding the bracket and that's it, right?

I pulled tha rag joint & drilled tha plastic pins..oiled tha shaft...banged it with a hammer a few times..re installed it..unboltted tha column bracket...loosened tha support on tha firewall & slid it down..i'll try & get some specs & maybe pics in tha morning if tha weather holds out..

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

I pulled tha rag joint & drilled tha plastic pins..oiled tha shaft...banged it with a hammer a few times..re installed it..unboltted tha column bracket...loosened tha support on tha firewall & slid it down..i'll try & get some specs & maybe pics in tha morning if tha weather holds out..

cool! thanks and yeah pics would be great!

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

I pulled tha rag joint & drilled tha plastic pins..oiled tha shaft...banged it with a hammer a few times..re installed it..unboltted tha column bracket...loosened tha support on tha firewall & slid it down..i'll try & get some specs & maybe pics in tha morning if tha weather holds out..

i just went and looked at my truck.....looks like 2 inches would put my shifter really close to the dash....did you do 1 1/2 or more? do you have an auto? i guess ill see when i see the pics......also, you were able to tap the shaft in while it was on the truck right? does the shaft pivot so you can hit the end and collapse the shaft?

[nekkidhillbilly]

the one guys is auto on column

[made2drag]

im in the garage right now taking pics as i go....i took a bunch of stuff loose and i have the shaft ready to compress....im planning on a how-to if i get it done today