Question about removing steering column
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Fleet Owner
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From: Central PA
Question about removing steering column
Can the steering column be removed through the engine compartment once the steering wheel is removed if the truck is on a lift?
Can the column tube be kept in place this way?
I am thinking this would cause less mess, by not having to remove floor mat and the floor plates to bring the whole box up through the floor into the cab.
Can the column tube be kept in place this way?
I am thinking this would cause less mess, by not having to remove floor mat and the floor plates to bring the whole box up through the floor into the cab.
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From: AKRON ohio
You'd still have to remove the floor plates to fit the top of the column turn signal bell
unless you are thinking about leaving the column in the truck and pulling the box steering shaft out the bottom. Never tried
unless you are thinking about leaving the column in the truck and pulling the box steering shaft out the bottom. Never tried
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Fleet Owner
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From: Central PA
Do you think that is doable?
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Central PA
My plan is to remove the steering box and column from my 54 F100 and put in the F350-600 steering box and column I bought from Kevin 2 years ago. I was hoping to use the column tube that is in my truck. I'd rather not paint the tube on the F350 column and remove and reattach the turn signal switch and everything else.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Burbank, WA
While you may be able to do it, my thoughts are it will fight you, and you it, all the way. To remove the box from the frame, you'll need to be able to swing it over toward the engine enough to clear the sector shaft from the frame channel, then weave it down and around the suspension. The rigidness of the column tube, unless it's loose, will cause a struggle with clearance. That 3 foot shaft inside a rigid tube will not let it come any way out but straight. No ability to jockey it around if something is in the way. And if you're going to loosen the tube from the dash bracket, you might as well take the whole assembly out and do your tube swapping on the bench. With the replacement box being larger than the one you're removing, that fight will be greater going back together. My 2c.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Central Michigan
Abe, I know right after I got my basket case truck I went to a local scrap metal yard and saw a 54 F600 grain truck ready for the crusher. I came back and striped that truck. I wish I would have taken the steering box but didn't, I wanted the tube/ column so I took it loose and found I couldn't get it off the shaft cuz it would actually hit the top of cab before it would clear. So my friend and I actually bent the shaft to get it out- wish I hadn't done that, but I did. I should have gotten that box- stuff was really cheap there. Anyway I think I would get lots of clearance under truck and start below- remove box and see. But I'll bet you will have to at least take column loose from dash and remove floor plates. Since it's winter anyway, just take your time and enjoy the project- keep us posted on how it goes.
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From: Jefferson City, MO
I would think if you loosened the column from the dash you could angle the shaft enough to get the room. Floor plates might not allow for that angle though. If the lift is easily available you can try it out.
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Fleet Owner
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From: Central PA
Better slow down or we will kick you out of the procrastinators club.
I would think if you loosened the column from the dash you could angle the shaft enough to get the room. Floor plates might not allow for that angle though. If the lift is easily available you can try it out.
I would think if you loosened the column from the dash you could angle the shaft enough to get the room. Floor plates might not allow for that angle though. If the lift is easily available you can try it out.
Thanks all for the advice. My buddy is planning on putting a lift in his pole barn. If that takes a while might go to a local garage I trust to do it. I just want to know what is possible before I begin.
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Fleet Owner
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From: Central PA
Don't hold your breath. This will not happen before Christmas. My wife has me on a short leash. I'm lucky I can watch so many World Cup games! But she knows how I am bout soccer. And it only happens every 4 years.
Hotshot
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From: Burbank, WA
My recommendation is to take a look under the truck and/or under the hood and estimate the plane at which the steering shaft will come down out of the column tube. Know there's not going to be much room to adjust the angle at which the unit comes down. I'm afraid you'll find the box will hit the axle and steering tie rod before the shaft exit's the end of the tube, if you can even get it out of the frame hole. Your luck may be better than mine.
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