Trying to decide on length..28,30 or 31 of steering column. It will be a column shift unit and the truck will have a 302 with AOD trans..I have been reading about clearance issues and am a little confused..it seems like the shorter that you can go and still make it work is the direction I want to go in..
I would welcome any and all suggestions from those with experience.
Thanks

 

I think most go with the 30 or 32" inch column. A lot depends upon your choice of seat and real estate (commonly referred to in Tennessee as a belly ) between the steering wheel you use and the seat back. I saw you other post inquiring about aftermarket columns for $275 or so. Chances are those are off shore repops. Steering and Stopping are two virtues not to necessarily go the most frugal on.

 

I have a 30" Ididit in my '52, what is your truck? It wasn't an easy decision because you have to also consider the angle of where it goes through the floor and how low or high the column drop on the dash is. I looked at other F1's that were done whenever I got the chance so that I could compare before I bought the column and the drop. I ended up going with a 4" drop.

 

The truck is a 56.. for now I will be using the stock bench seat..I'm only 5'9" and medium build....not much beer belly...

 

I am using CPP 32'' Streetrod column in my 56, floor shift.

 

I originally bout a 32" but then ended up shortening it 2" I am using Toyota PS with the beam axle on my 56.

 

Column length can also effect header clearance. A longer column will place the steering u joint at a different angle to the rack or steering box. In some cases this might really help. On the same note, a shorter one moves the u joint placement up closer to the firewall, longer shaft, different angle. But all in all, you can't go wrong with what has been recommended. I normally use a 30-32" column. I like the 4,41/2" drop to mount it too.