well.... I'm finally gonna order that shiny new Ididit column and all the goodies with it... but came up with a question and they are closed today so I'll ask the experts...

when you measure the length for the column drop ...do you measure straight down from the dash to the center of the column or at 90 degrees from the column center line up to the dash...

in the pic below... do you measure line A or do you use line B ??

makes quite a difference don't it ??

little help here shiny new aftermarket column install gurus

john

 

John,

I answered your email but upon further review, the shift collar on mine does not extend below the dash as far. My Flaming River column is more compact than a stock column. For my truck I would measure at B, but my swivel drop hits the 2" portion of the column where your column is big and fat and heading under the dash. Does that make sense?

 

I only used that picture and that column for measurement sake. That's the Caddy column I'm taking out. I don't think (from Ididit pics) that the shift cover goes down nearly as far as the caddy does... I think I only have the actual 2.25" tube that low...



It is a swivel drop so I'm thinking you're right with the "B" answer..

thanks...

john

 

John

I'm sure you want to hit at "B" if possible. I knew that was the old column. I do know FR claims their shift collar is more compact. But probably not that much. I'll call you after supper and we'll swap measurements, and we'll know for sure.

 

JOHN

I recently installed an IDIDIT column in my 56 and "B" is the measurement to use. I used a 5 1/2" drop because I also installed an additional panel below the dash. Good luck.

Larry

 

Larry

How long is the shift collar on your Ididit? I am running a 2 1/2" drop. I couldn;t possibly use a 5 1/2. We must have a drastically different column angle to the box.

 

Fenders, Larry

my old caddy column is 11" from the top end of the column(not counting shaft) to the bottom of the shift/slide tube. It's 8-1/2" from the end of the column to the face of the dash.

The ididit is 9-1/2" shift tube length, so I'll only be dealing with the 2-1/4" tube right under the dash face as opposed to the shift tube on the caddy column

The Ididit is also shorter than the caddy.. the caddy tube length not counting the shafts at both ends is 30-1/4" the ididit is 28-7/8" .... but I don't think that will hurt me significantly... I could always order the longer (32") column

..My "A" measurement is 5-1/2" and my "B" measurement is 3-1/2".... I'm ordering "B".. and will work around whatever problems come up... or return for a longer/shorter drop...

later

John

here's the ididit spec sheet
http://www.clubfte.com/users/jniolon/ididitcolumn.jpg

sorry I can't post pics thru the fordtruckers.com link.... that's the only way I can access the forum around my internet geshtapo here at work... you'll just have to go see it on my site...

 

John

There's your difference between Ididit and FR. That Ididit diagram shows 9.55" for what I am referring to as the shifter bowl area. A Flaming River measures at about 7.25. That would explain why I can run a 30" tilt column and a 28" FR appears it might actually work too. Some of the F100 vendors recommend 33" and that's way too long for an optimum fit. Not that longer won't work, but the extra length just potentially causes clearance trouble under the hood.

Back to your issue. 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 seems to be what most folks end up running. I would simulate wheel location with the Caddy if you haven't already. Use baling wire if necessary. This is probably the most important driving comfort measurement on the whole truck. Easy to get close but takes some measurin and whatifin to get perfect for your body in one attempt.

 

Dewayne,

I had the caddy stick dialed in perfect for my frame and am setting the IDIDIT to the same height,slope, etc. I ordered the 3-1/2" drop...

funny.... I called ididit and asked them the question today... about whether to measure straight down or on the angle to the column... the guy (Hank) sas "Hmmmmm, that's a very good question ???"

Well Duh !!! hasn't anyone ever asked them this before or am I the only dummy that has ever bought from them ??? I'll bet not... might be an email to their sales dept to include that calculation in their next shiny page catalog... their new catalog doesn't even give column dimensions like the old one does... that's why I'm a catalog freak... good tech info in them...

thanks for the help and pics will follow when I get back to it...

update my web page ??? I've got to update the truck first !!


later
john

 

"funny.... I called ididit and asked them the question today... about whether to measure straight down or on the angle to the column... the guy (Hank) sas "Hmmmmm, that's a very good question ???"

John

It's pathetic and getting worse. As you can tell from my PW thread I'm getting a little frustrated with this whole aftermarket deal. I don't expect them to know every intricate detail of every application, but wouldn't it be nice if a manufacturers own sales staff had just a clue about the particular product they sell for big money. I suppose the stockers go through the same ordeal with fitment and "correctness" of construction.

I don't know what I'd do without benefit of this forum. We split the mistakes up among us take turns wasting our money. I have been on other forums and everybody clams up with they make a bad buy, because they don't want to admit they screwed up purchasing Brand X. Here people are considerate enough to admit they bought trash and warn their friends.

Making some progress though. Going back out to tackle the seat belts and maybe try to install the flamed door panels I made 3 years ago.
I'll have PIC to share soon.

 

my 'parts chimp' theory...

if you take a hundred chimps in front of a hundred computer terminals... they will eventually sell car parts (or type the works of Shakespeare)

very frustrating to have to beg someone to give you some simple information so you can dump a wheelbarrow of cash on them...

When I retire I'm considering starting a consulting business for businesses... and restaurants.

They pay me a fee to visit their business, or call their tech lines and try to make use of their services/products. Then I'll point out the flaws/problems/blatant blunders/mistakes, attitude problems, etc... especially restaurants. I know they have college kids working there (or worse) but how hard is it to keep a tea glass filled ? how difficult is it to bring the check when you see the plates are empty ???

I'm gonna make a fortune and **** off a lot of restaurant workers at the same time (an added bonus)


later

J

 

Fenders-

I'm using the 28+" Ididit column with 1" projection thru the firewall. I raised the pentration point thru the firewall to decrease the angle of the column. The column drop is the swivel type with about 3/4" straight section (bolted to dash bottom), than about 4 3/4" to the center of the column from the swivel point. I connected to my Volare box using a Borgeson dampner/u-joint, short double D shaft, and another Borgeson u-joint. If someone will enlighten me on how to post a pix I will do it.

Regards,

Larry

 

John,

This is a bit off topic but how do you feel about the fact that the Ididit column does not collapse in a crash? I've been following these column threads and no one ever mentions what I believe to be an important issue especially in a vehicle with absolutely no crush zones. Using an OEM column gives you a bit of protection.

So I contacted Flaming River and they have a collapsing column coming out but its really pricey. They said $450 for the paintable version.

Anyway, you have a reputation for doing things the right way so I thought it would be good to hear your thoughts on this.

Half Ton

 

Half Ton

I know you asked John but I'll throw in my two cents as usual. some of the F100 catalogs address the issue to an extent. You can overcome much of the problem with a few installation techniques. Steering linkage with some angle intentionally added will divert force away from other than straight at you. Collapsible joints are available (can integrate OEM types to save $$$) Additionally, not going crazy on your column mount hardware strength/size can help the column use the shaft angle you dialed in.

Your probably in trouble in a direct head-on anyway. I am more concerned with doors flying open or children passengers impacting the dash. And avoiding any flakey IFS and brake mod techniques is prudent of course.

Larry

Thats weird that our installs required such a different column drop. My column exit is raised as well for better box alignment. It about has to come down to differences in seat height and personal preference of steering wheel location. Are you running a column shift or a straight column? I'm not the guy to ask on the PIC posting.

 

HT,

never gave it a second thought... I have a great deal of faith in Ford frame rails I guess... years ago I was driving a 72 f-100...doing about 55 and a car full of cheerleaders turned in front of me less than 60 feet from me... I hit the brakes but they never had time to lock up I broadsided them at nearly that speed... spun a buick 225 around 360 till it parked itself next to a pole and a curb... Luckily no one was injured... if I had hurt those little teeny boppers I'd have never gotten over it... I can still see the look on the faces of the two on my side of the car... it was the drivers second time to drive without dad... and it was 6 cheerleaders going to a pep rally...


damage to my truck.... ruined the front sheet metal, bumper, grill, hood torn loose from the hinges...the bed dented the cab on both sides...after getting the sheet metal off and checking the frame, there was no frame damage....wasn't skewed, wasn't bent, wasn't bowed... frame man said it was perfect... 3000.00 work of sheetmetal and body work and it was just like new.. the paint was 61 days old... I had just hand rubbed the lacquer the week before and arms were still sore......

so Ford builds them tough.. as fenders said with the angle of the column, I'm not very concerned with a full front impact.. I don't think the wheel will get to where a shoulder belt will stop me... besides with a fiberglass front end... my whole front end is a crumple zone or is that splinter zone...

hope that helps..

later

john