Hey, its been a while since I last posted about doing a coyote swap!

the build is coming along now, the chassis has been boxed, suspension has been fitted, rear end is in and and iv managed to get my hands on a low millage gen2 coyote with a 6r80 trans.

what length steering column would be best to go with? anyone else here around 6 2" would it be a better option to go with a 28" over the recommended 30?

 

Ahh, you just gotta love being a special needs kid. These old trucks can be cramped at best for the taller or rounder kids here on the block. Best recommendation before deciding on a column length is to have the seats you're going to use and make yourself comfortable. One of the guys here had the brilliant idea of cutting a 15" circle out of plywood and attaching it to the end of a piece of PVC tubing, then aim it toward the steering box, taking into consideration the floor and dash mounts, etc. That way you can sit in the seat and see exactly how and where the column will fit, and determine the length that's best. Don't forget to deduct the amount of dish your steering wheel will have from the length of the test column. There's another decision that's good to make before ordering the column.

 

well, I just thought it would be easier to see if someone on here around the same height has had this issue and what size they went with. Suppose i better get my self some tubing.

 

Sure, but keep in mind everyone's build is different. You have a unique underhood situation which may require a different setup than the guy who looks just like you but has a 302 with a toyota PS box and straight axle. There's always something different about everyone's truck and one can get into trouble and spend money twice on things unless they do their own work.

 

I'm 6'2" and 215 pounds. The seat is more important than the column as far as fitting in the cab. What seat will you be using? The original bench seat has a thick back and a very upright position which I found uncomfortable. I got a bench seat from a 1990 Ford Ranger which has a much thinner back and mounted it on the original seat track. However, I modified the seat track by cutting off about three inches of the rear "legs" in order to lean the seat back more. Then I welded a piece of angle iron to the bottom of the seat tracks. This gives you more room at the wheel and I was still able to use the original tool tray and gas tank behind the seat. I used a stock steering column out of a 1975 Chevelle which worked out very well.