Shorten steering column
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
FYI: The top of the seat hits the back of the cab and never touches the gas tank.
I don't see why it couldn't, with some careful cutting and welding. I would love for mine to be about 3 in forward.
John
I don't see why it couldn't, with some careful cutting and welding. I would love for mine to be about 3 in forward.
John
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 998
Likes: 2
From: Benton, AR
Check into a smaller steering wheel. I ordered a wood wheel and adapter kit for my 64 and like the results. Its several inches smaller in diameter and it sits an inch or to further towards the column than the original. Ordered it from AutoZone. They seemed to be about the cheapest. And before someone rants about supporting our sponsors... Don't you enjoy saving a few bucks for the exact same wheel(Same brand)?
later
later
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 245
From: Piney Woods of East Texas
The column can be shorten if you are a good welder. It's a common mod for 67-72 owners converting to power steering. There is an article in the tech center on how to do it. It would be a lot easier if you can move to a 12" wheel vs a 17". But if you do not have PS it may not be a good idea. You need the extra torque of the larger wheel.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Yeah, a small wheel with manual steering. If you do that, and then do a bunch of driving in that truck day in, day out, you could eventually go back to the big wheel, cuz you will work off the belly. A friend of mine put one of those cute gokart looking wheels in his 69, and you can't hardly drive the thing. Besides the fact that your hands hit each other when you turn, trying to grab the 3 speed shifter isn't making it easier.
ROb
ROb
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Came across an article that provides pic's and detail on how to shorten the steering column, unfortunately, it is in another Ford truck forum and FTE protocol prevents posting. If you run a 'google', or 'yahoo' search under 67-72 Ford pickup truck resourse you should come across the Ford truck forum. Think you will find there are few other articles relating to steering, and suspension may find interesting. If have a problem locating, feel free to email me and I can forward the article. There is another option and that is to go to a later model column and either use spacer where column attached to bracket at dash, or remove mount on original and attach to donon column. Anyhow, the truck forum mentioned also has article on the topic.
dave
dave
Last edited by daveengelson; Nov 4, 2007 at 09:50 AM.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 998
Likes: 2
From: Benton, AR
Can't remember if we can post pics but heres a try. And yes floor pans are in my future as well, lol.
later
later
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,060
Likes: 7
From: Glendale Arizona
The steering shaft is a one piece on a 61 to 64 F100 and F250 2 wheel drives. Integral to the box. Shortening it will place it on your legs as it drops out of the floor at a steeper angle.
I have a steering collum out of a 88 F250 installed in my 64 tilt and cruise. I had to cut the shaft above the box and machine a double D on to the stub then mate the 88 coupling to the shaft. I did not use a rag joint as there was no room. I also had to collapse the collum a few inches to fit. Used a C1AE FE rod for a collum mount at the dash.
The 61 to 64s are a whole world different from a 65 66.
Garbz
I have a steering collum out of a 88 F250 installed in my 64 tilt and cruise. I had to cut the shaft above the box and machine a double D on to the stub then mate the 88 coupling to the shaft. I did not use a rag joint as there was no room. I also had to collapse the collum a few inches to fit. Used a C1AE FE rod for a collum mount at the dash.
The 61 to 64s are a whole world different from a 65 66.
Garbz
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Mine was shortened on my '65 F100 and the guy put a 12 inch wheel on it with the power steering. I am going to put a stock wheel back on just to slow the twitchyness. It looks like they cut it behind the hub and shortened it. If you want a picture I can get one for you. The previous owner had the belly problem too.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk County
good ideas
thanks for the help guys, my neighbors came over today and looked at it and said they will find me a tilt column that will fit and help me fix that belly problem HE HE
