Thanks for the info Dan, appreciated.

 

So just an update for you guys.... I shortened the column using Ax's method (thanks again Ax) and I removed the stabilizer per the tech at Ididit and now my intermediate shaft is hitting the exhaust when you turn the wheel. I think I am going to take a few more inches out of the column since it was super easy to do and may find an alternative to the rag joint. Borgeson recommended just a u-joint and then of course one of their vibration reducers. Does anyone else use a u-joint instead of a rag joint?

 

I'm not using a rag joint, just a single U joint but then I'm using a Toyota steering box so I don't have an intermediate shaft. I still suggest loosening the column drop on the dash so the column can be slid up and down then use some 1" wooden dowel from the hardware store to dummy for the intermediate shaft and a couple 4" lengths of 1" ID rubber hose to connect the pieces together. The hose will act like just like a U joint (leave about an inch of space inside the hose so things don't bind and to represent the U joint trunion) then test for clearance with different configurations of column lengths and dummy intermediate shaft lengths and actually operate it until everything clears. You don't want to keep chopping off the column until it works or it becomes too short. Don't cut the column even when testing the new intermediate shaft, just pull it back until it connects then test it. Once everything clears, then finally recut the column length so the wheel ends up the desired distance from the dash.

Oh, one more thing, If you do go with 2 U joints and make your own intermediate shaft, be absolutely sure the U joints are phased properly just like a drive shaft.

 

with my steering linkage routed through my motor mount, I have abour 5/8" - 3/4" clearance past my exhaust manifold.

Tom