Anybody recall the right length. Mid 50's says 35 inches. I measured this in the truck and it seems too high unless some of the column goes through the floor plate. If I use this column what do I need to hook a shifter cable to a C-4.

 

Lokar makes a very nice linkage kit for the C-4. Or you can make your own if you have more time than money. Kit is about $45 I believe. Regarding column length, do you have a stock front end? I think Mid-Fifties column recommendations are about one size too long for most applicatons. I believe they recommend a 32 or 33 for a Volare IFS if column shift. My 30" Flaming River works just fine. Best way to fit it to your comfort is mock it up with a dowel and a pie pan, or something similar. It's worth the trouble. You gotta deal with the result forever, at the price of the columns.

 

Not if you're Niolon. Just rip that sucker out and put in a 78 Cadillac column, or maybe one from a mustang II, or maybe both in sequence.

 

Don't make the mistake I did, by trying to mix and match parts. I used a IDIDIT column and a FLAMING RIVER column drop. They both have different 2" diameter's so the drop had to be bored out to fit the larger column. I went with Mid Fifty's recommended length, and did not have room to add an isolator to reduce vibrations. Live and learn, or just live and don't learn, that seems to be my motto.

 

I have a Fat Man mustang 2 front end with a rack and pinion.

 

Niolon should be able to help you here. I think a lot of folks use the 35" column in the MII. I don't know why you would want or need 6 inches of column hanging out in the engine compartment though.

 

I talked to Ididit today and they said 30 inches should do it. Anybody that can verify that? He said he didn't know why Mid Fifties said 35 inches. He said it seemed like alot to put into the engine compartment also.

 

30 should definitely be fine for a non-column shift. For a column shift with tilt, I don't think you will have too much room for error with an IDIDIT 30. I am using a Flaming River 30, column shift with tilt, but they are a bit more compact in the shifter bowl area. I don't recall which ones, but several vendors told me to go up one size for an IDIDIT over a FR column. The key measurement is the difference between the interior shifter handle and the shift linkage lever in the engine compartment. I would ask if the 32 is any longer in this area, or if it simply extends 2 inches farther after the shift linkage. I would have a good understanding of the return policy before I bought any column if the vendor won't assure it is going to work. You might check the Flaming River website for measuring guidance. http://www.flaming-river.com/enter.htm

 

I guess it is safe to assume you are using a FR column. I am not set on a Ididit. I will use whatever would be easiest and whatever I can get help with. Do you have the same year truck? What pieces did you need? I want a tilt column with shift. I am using a Fat Man mustang II front end with a rack and pinion. Ignition will be on the dash and the motor is a 302. Any other info needed? Thanks for you help. I am trying to help someone with this project. I personally build Cobras and not trucks and I sort of got volunteered to do this. I did all the front end work, wiring and drivetrain. I just don't want to screw up the column with so many choices out there.

 

Yes I am using a FR 30" tilt with shifter. I got it from ZIGS and I like it very well. They cost just a bit more than an IDIDIT. I won't slam IDIDIT columns though. They are a bit more bulky in the shifter bowl, that's the only real difference. I used a 3 1/2 inch Billet Specialties drop and an aluminum swivel floor grommet. Cadillac vibration damper. The rest of my stuff doesn't apply to MII IFS.

 

I've got a 30" ididit, with no column shift, in my '53 with the Volare front end. Fits just fine.

 

Is your 30" column straight or does it have tilt? Thanks, John

 

It's a tilt column.

 

John

The column shift is what makes you need a longer column. Have to clear the dash through the shift handles entire arc.