56 Stock Steering Column
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,674
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From: Rowland Heights
56 Stock Steering Column
Has anyone ever cut the stock steering column to lower the steering wheel. I know there are plenty of nice new columns that one can buy to replace the stock one. I kind of like the stock look and don't need the tilt, just wish it was 6 inches lower. Any suggestions on doing the cut.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
A 53 F100 I bought from a machinist had a shortened stock column, looked quite good. Because the steering shaft is fastened inside the gear box the box will have to removed from the truck and disassembled to shorten the shaft and column. Best done by a profession machinist. I like the stock look too.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Shouldn't really be a problem except for the horn wire (depending on how you recouple it). You can get a lower centering bushing from Mid Fifty. You could DD the shaft and the stub on the box with a grinder and couple them back together with a rag joint or vibration reducing coupler. If you have your heart set on retaining the horn wire as well, a hollow coupler could be fabricated. Why not drop in the Toyota steering box while you are cutting the shaft and get the benefit of modern steering, no more drunken monkey!
PS: 6" is a LOT of shortening unless you are using a deep dish wheel or are VERY short???
PS: 6" is a LOT of shortening unless you are using a deep dish wheel or are VERY short???
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Rowland Heights
Xracer, I like your thoughts. I have a volare clip and PS box. Horn is button is on the floor near the dimmer switch. I'll keep that there. I use it a lot in So Cal. I have custom wheel already mounted. Does have to be 6 just want it shorter, some what.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: So California
Ed
My 56 has a shortened steering column if you want to see what it looks like. I bought it from someone that had it in their 55. He replaced it with a tilt wheel. I am like you, I like the look of the stock and do not need a tilt wheel. As a bonus it had the stock automatic transmission shifter which someday I hope to get some linkage installed to connect it to the current trans.
My 56 has a shortened steering column if you want to see what it looks like. I bought it from someone that had it in their 55. He replaced it with a tilt wheel. I am like you, I like the look of the stock and do not need a tilt wheel. As a bonus it had the stock automatic transmission shifter which someday I hope to get some linkage installed to connect it to the current trans.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Ed, how did you attach the collumn to the Volare box? Shortening it won't be much different, just need to cut the outside housing at the bottom. Use a sharp pipecutter for a clean square cut or wrap a strip of light cardboard (file folder etc) tightly around it overlapping a couple inches. Draw along the edge for a straight square line. Use a fine toothed hacksaw blade to cut it a little at a time. Cut until the saw breaks through, rotate the collumn a small amount and continue the cut again until it breaks thru. Keep doing the rotate and cut until you've gone all the way around. Don't try to cut all the way across it like slicing boloney, or you'll likely make a very crooked cut.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,674
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From: Rowland Heights
Scott, I'll have to drive to your house and check that out, very cool. I have my shifter on the floor.
AXracer, I didn't do the volare clip. I'll have to take a better look at it and take a pic and place it in my gallery on how it's attached. The process you outlined does sound to complicated. I have a hacksaw and some tape.
AXracer, I didn't do the volare clip. I'll have to take a better look at it and take a pic and place it in my gallery on how it's attached. The process you outlined does sound to complicated. I have a hacksaw and some tape.
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