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Hey f100 folks,
I am putting my 72 back together and I'm at the point of installing the steering column.
The upper mount to the dash where the painted cover goes seems to need some spacers in order for the painted cover to sit correctly and the column be in line with the steering box.
In the attached pic I have circled in blue the spacers I am in need of OR another method you may have used in there place. Does anyone know the thickness of them?
Thanks in advance for any info you may send my way...
I have never seen any spacers here before, maybe they didn't hold up well. I have a 1972 and my truck does not have them. Here is a thread that talks about them in the "Slick" forum here (1961-66 trucks).
Thanks Green72F250. Could I bother you to take a pic of yours mounted from underneath etc?
When I hold the painted part that matches the dash and covers the top of the column, the curves that should match the dash shape does not fit well when i hold it up tight to the mounting flange in the dash. Sorry I know that probably doesn't describe it well. The spacers would hold it off so the curves in that piece would match the dash curves. I am also concerned about the steering shaft being in line with the gearbox and flexing the rag joint.
What kind of condition are the frame to body mounts ?
The bushings are brand new and the cab itself is very solid. I don't think I have any issue there. If i could just see how the column is mounted with the painted cover to the dash, that would answer my questions.
I feel like without those spacers, the column cover that supposed to match the curve of the dash will not be sitting right
I have never seen any spacers here before, maybe they didn't hold up well. I have a 1972 and my truck does not have them. Here is a thread that talks about them in the "Slick" forum here (1961-66 trucks).
Thanks tcanthonyii. i guess I will install mine without anything and see how it all sits. i cannot picture the painted cover piece to fit well without them but it might.
wouldn't hurt to make some if you were worried. They dont' need to look good and a cereal box would suffice.
Thanks, cereal box may just be the ticket.
I actually looked at your thread and was able to see the painted cover piece that mates to the curves of the dash looks like mine without the spacers. With them the gap at the dash would be even.
I took a rough measurement with that cover sitting as it should and it looks like the spacers would be 1/4 to 9/32 thick.
Once I see how the shaft aligns with the gearbox, I'll know if it needs them.
Based on the 3 of you that responded, it seems that not having them is not an issue??
I have a question in regards to the metal cover that goes over the column on your truck, does it have the black plastic/rubber cushion that goes on the back where it rests next to the dash? I don't have a picture of it, but I have seen it on most of the trucks I have come in contact with at the junk yard. This cushion fits into the metal cover on the back edge on the top of the cover. Here is a picture from a truck that has 17,000 original miles on it, that shows the bottom of the cover as it is attached to the column. You can't see that black cushion in this picture as it is on the top, back next to the dash. Maybe someone else has a picture of it.
Last edited by Green72F250; Oct 1, 2024 at 01:21 AM.
Reason: correct information
Green72F250, are you asking about where it actually matches the curves of the dash? I have not seen one myself.
That picture shows me that the spacers I was asking about are not there either best I can tell. It looks like the metal cover is pulled right up to the dash mounting flange and the column mounting flange. Is that right? If so that answers my question.
I think the only purpose of this cushion is to protect the dash from being scratched by the column cover. Yes the cushion on the cover follows the contour of the dash.
After looking through the Fordification MPC listing which only has 2wd PS column listings, 3682 is not mentioned in there either. As noted in the earlier thread, they have to be improvised if needed: SYMBOL COMMONLY USED IN THIS CATALOG * indicates Not Serviced - must be improvised or procured locally (From the Illustration Catalog Page 1)
