Liking the look!

 

Great thread Steve, thanks for sharing the story!

 

Ok, got some more done. I installed the shifter on the floor. Here's some pics. I spent hours trying to connect it to the transmission but couldn't really figure out how to anchor it with the pieces that came with the shifter. I hit my frustration limit at 5PM so I gave it a rest for now.




This is the shifter I chose. Pretty basic.





lining it up.





I had to bring it up a bit so I put a piece of wood under it. Connected the cable, too.

 

Steve, you can build yourself a metal bracket for it to rest on.

 

I could maybe do that so it's up a little higher instead of sitting on the floor, but it's ok on the floor. It's an automatic, so it's not like I need to reach it while I'm driving. My biggest problem is anchoring the cable to something near where it connects to the transmission, and then actually connecting it to the shift lever on the transmission. it's a c4 transmission.

 

Oh, okay. I'm not much help there, I don't have an auto in the truck.

 

My mechanic built me a steering column from a hacked up 64 box with a stub shaft coming out of it (previously pictured in this thread) and a 67 shaft that my good friend Pat from Nebraska was kind enough to give me. Here's the notes from my mechanic, and the pictures he took. It came out GREAT, and I can't wait to put it into the truck:

Quick description of what we did.
1. Cut off original shaft 1.25" from box
2. Mount in Milling machine and set shaft level with table. Lock shaft from turning
3. Mill shaft with a 1" end mill to spec's measured from U-joint. Slight press fit
4. Instal shaft and measure how much needs to be removed
5. Cut shaft in a place that wont interfere with inside of column cover
6. Make second cut to remove extra length
7. Machine a collar on the lathe from a 1" solid bar stock (press fit)
8. True up both halfs and TIG weld collar
9. Lock-tite all hardware

 

Wow. Your guy did a heck of a job on that. Looks great.

 

yeah, he's a pretty talented guy. he can do anything. great mechanic, too.

 

Steve, that came out great! That guy can sure weld purty!!

 

Holy Batman welds.....that guy is a heck of a machinist and welder. Great job.

 

Yeah, he's pretty proud of his welding skills, as he should be. I'll have pictures of the column going into my truck next week.

 

Small update. The new shaft would not fit inside the steering column tube, so I had to shorten the tube. Because of this, I now have to anchor the tube to the fire wall. Of course, a 64's firewall has a huge hole in the floor (I don't know why), so I needed to close that up. I got some 18 gauge sheet metal and used a air cutter that I borrowed from mechanic to create the patch. I'm not a welder, so for now I am going to bolt it to the fire wall and seal it with some goo I bought at the local hardware store. Here's some pics:




My mechanic lent me this cutter. I need one of these!





the hole I have to cover.





No, it's not an alien's head. It is the rough sketch of the patch piece.





The cut piece roughly fit in.




Pat donated these pieces. Here they are cleaned up and painted. I will put it all together soon.

 

I see some progress..... way to go Steve

 

not much Neil, but it's something!