I'm making slow progress on my '54 and getting ready to order a steering column. Not sure if I'm going with Ididit or Flamming River yet. Any suggestions?

I'm also not sure on the length yet. 30" and 32" both seem to be popular but I can't decide. When I pull a tape measure both lengths seem like they'd work fine, but it's hard to tell without having everything there. When I drive I like to have my arm relaxed and not stretched out...in my '08 F150 the steering wheel seems a too far away. If I order a 32" and decide I should've ordered a 30" can I just stick the 2" through the firewall? I have a Mustang II front suspension. Planning on a chrome column so I can't cut it.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

We really can't tell you which length due to steering wheel choice, seat height or your height. I ordered the incorrect length and had to send it back, wasted money. I suggest you put your steering wheel on a broom stick or PVC pipe and locate it to where its comfortable for you, you may also need a longer/shorter column drop so figure that in also. You could use cardboard for your drop to get the distance you desire when everything is lined up and taped securely measure what you got and order accordingly don't forget to measure the u-joints. That's how I did mine.

 

maybe this will help

http://www.clubfte.com/users/jniolon...columnin_a.htm


later
John

 

Mine is a 30in Ididit column.. sticks out about 1.5 inches below the floor

Sam

 

Thanks for the help

 

What motor are you running? I have a 5.0 L SBF, MII suspension, 33"column with a 4.5 inch drop. I have the column shifter hooked to an AOD although the shifter is designed for a 3 speed; I guess I'll not ever get to drop it into first. If you get too short of a column, it may cause clearance issues with your exhaust manifold/headers. Yes, if the column is too long, you can drop the extra through the floor. I'll post a picture in a minute. Since this picture, I've installed angled washers on the rack to make it line up better with the column. To connect the column to the rack, I have a modified shortened shaft and u-joint from a cougar on it along with a Flaming River U-joint on the other end. If the column was 30" it wouldn't extend far enough to clear the exhaust.

 

I called the tech support line at Ididit a couple of weeks ago.....I also read the link that jniolon posted. The Ididit guys recommended a 30" for my F1 and they recommended the 2.5 inch drop mount for the dash. That being said, if you wanted the longer setup you could get the 32 and slide it down farther if you don't like the height. That would all have to be done before you set up whatever universal joints you need to connect it to your steering box.

 

I kept the stock column and cut it down. I just like the stock look.

 

What motor are you running? I have a 5.0 L SBF, MII suspension, 33"column with a 4.5 inch drop. I have the column shifter hooked to a AOD although the shifter is designed for a 3 speed; I guess I'll not ever get to drop it into first. If you get too short of a column, it may cause clearance issues with your exhaust manifold/headers. Yes, if the column is too long, you can drop the extra through the floor. I'll post a picture in a minute. Since this picture, I've installed angled washers on the rack to make it line up better with the column. I also have a modified column shaft and u-joint from a cougar on it along with a Flaming River U-joint on the other end. If the column was 30" it wouldn't extend far enough to clear the exhaust

 

I used a 30'' flaming river with a mII and 289. 2 1/2 drop also.

 

<a href="http://s1016.photobucket.com/albums/af287/carnut122/?action=view&amp;current=101_1525.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af287/carnut122/101_1525.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

 

carnut122, I have pretty much the same setup as you, but with a floor shift and C4. I had been figuring I'd need to use a two u-joint setup to clear my headers, but like the idea of sticking the column through enough to clear them. It looks like my engine is a little farther back so a little shorter column may clear the headers.
Thanks

 

<a href="http://s1016.photobucket.com/albums/af287/carnut122/?action=view&amp;current=101_1524.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af287/carnut122/101_1524.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Here's a better picture of how close it is to the firewall.