Question, take 2 in the right forum (I hope)
Greetings
I have a '67 f-100 that's in the process of becoming somthing more then origionally intended, and I've run into a problem. I'm putting in a new steering colum, but with as short as the origional one is, I need to shorten the new one to get it to fit properly. Would anyone know if this is possible, and how I would go about getting started?
:-X11

 

You didn't say exactly what it is that you're doing. Did you have manual steering and installed power (if the steering bopxes are FORD, not BENDIX, the manual shaft is longer than the power steering shaft)?

If you are intending to use the original shaft, it can be shortened. I did it when I mated the lower section of a 1970 steering shaft and housing with the upper section and housing of a 1978 Mustang II steering shaft (wanted in-the-wheel cruise control).

I determined the length of the shaft (where I wanted the steering wheel to be when I was sitting in the seat). Then I used a cut-off saw to cut a section off, being sure to allow enough for the Mustang shft). In your case, if using all the original pieces, just cut a section out of the middle so you can reuse the upper splined section and the lower rag joint section.

Once you've got the shaft cut to the right length, grind the ends of the two shaft pieces (the cut ends) so they have a little bit of a taper (for better welding). Clamp the two pices in the valley of a piece of angle iron (I used 1"x1") so that the two cut ends are butted together firmly. Weld and grind.

You can use the same procedure for the steering housing, remembering that it must ride up against the steerinig wheel and still jut below the fire-wall far enough for the support bracket and clamp. Using a cout-off saw guarantees straight cuts and easier alignment for welding.

Remember not to overheat when you are welding; it will warp things and spoil all your special planning efforts.

Once the welding is done, the collar or clamp that holds the lower bearing race in place may require a little repositioning.

OldFords Bad attitudes

 

Sorry...first time posting on anything like this.
Basically I'm putting in a steering colum from a 86 ford van, as it has a tilt colum and steering wheel cruise control. I am installing powering steering as well, but I have a ps gearbox out of a 71 f-150 so with luck it'll be alike enough to match up without any problem. No, I have no clue what I'm doing in all honesty...First time I've tried anything like this. Have all sorts of new toys for the truck though...5.0 EFI engine and AOD, supercharger for said engine on the way, bucket seats, dual under-body gas tanks...gonna be a nice toy when done, but not quite yet.

Thanks

 

Corwin, you are gonna have to take 6 1/2" out of the van column, and change the shift arm at the end of it.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/jowilker/USFlag.gif
John

jowilker email me
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/users/jowilker|My Club FTE Page] Member since 01 01

[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NCFTO] North Carolina Ford Truck Owners Group

In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

Very cool...thanks, both of you. Your help is greatly appricated.
X04




The only thing that's impossible is that no other possiblties exist:-