Hey guys n gals, I was thinking of switching out the old stock steering column for a tilt column on the 55. I'm thinking of going with a new aftermarket column not someting out of a differant vehicle. The front suspesion is stock and I dont have any plans for a IFS, I have been tossing the idea of the power assist thing but its not a for sure thing. As soon as I finish putting it together it will have the new V8 in her. I did a search and all of the threads I found were about steering columns with a IFS swap. My question is, does anyone know where and if there is a place with a direct bolt on replacement or will I need to change lots of stuff around and find all sorts of adapters.

 

the stock column and steering box are one piece so ............. you are gonna have to cut it to put another column in it and put a borgeson universal joint or some sort of adaptor in it . there was no power steering available that i know of for our beasts new so you are once again gonna have to switch parts out and do a whole new assembly to do that . a gm box or toyota swap seem to be the easiest and most popular . or you can look at one of the rack and pinion kits from mid fifties . another option is go find an f600 steering box assembly , i had one , got rid of it now i'm looking for one again !! , as they are a quicker ratio making it easier to turn . other wise just enjoy the old school armstrong steering !!!!!!!! . i drivemine , when running { and hopefully quite soon again !!! ] daily with manual everything and it's not that bad , and it has the added benefit of actually slowing you down and making you think about what your doing , instead of going brain numb and driving along in a stupor like the rest of the world .

 

Ok let me see if im following you correctly here. If I put in a new column I will need to (I'm assuming) cut the steering shaft to continue to use the original box since they are 1 piece. Then I will need the borgeson universal joint or an adaptor to connect the new column to the old box (I hope this is right). If I'm following you correctly where would I cut the shaft and (again Im assuming that I would need a certain length column) how long/short of a column would I need. Basically what I'm wanting to do is replace the old column, the gear shifter is worn out and falls down with minimal pressure and maybe shorten it or lower the wheel itself and inch or 2 to make it more user freindly for the wife if she ever gets the urge to take it out for a spin. I really wasnt thinking about putting power steering in her. Maybe later on someday down the road I might do the power assist thing that bolts to the stock axle but again thats not a for sure thing.

 

you would want to cut it somewhere close to the box so the u joint will be in the engine compartment. also i'll take the shaft if you don't want it, trying to fix my stock column with a toyota p/s box. you can always go with the toyota p/s kit and then you can run an aftermarket column that plugs into the box (with a u joint no mods).

 

So that means im on the right track here with what 55f350 said, sorry just wanting to make sure I dont miss anything before I go cutting things up and find out I did it wrong...lol and yea once I get that far if you want whats left of the column or shaft or what ever just remind me. I wont be needing it, itll just sit around taking up space in the garage.

 

tried to reply again and the site went down the other morning . here's another option for you . a 56 truck column , not just the f600 which is a faster ratio , is two inches shorter i believe . but like old timer said cut whereyou want , make it whatever length you want and put it together . later !

 

Heres what I was thinking about getting, but I'm not sure of the length or what else I would need to get besides the u joint to connect the new column to the old shaft. Like I said I just want to make sure all I need is the new column, the u joint, and steering wheel
Classic Car and Truck Brake, Steering and Suspension Parts

then once I get the stuff, I cut the shaft close to the box. remove the old column and replace it with the new connecting the 2 with the u joint (that is also something I will need help with, to make sure I get the right one) and hooking up the linkage to the shifter and then put the steering wheel on it. Is there anything else I'm missing, that I will need to do?

 

before you cut MEASURE, MEASURE, MEASURE...you want enough shaft on the box for the u joint to grab (with some extra). your going to need to modify the column drop for the larger diameter column, redo the turn signal wiring and modify the stock shaft to accept the new u joint. also make sure there is a u joint that will work for your set-up (1" DD to a 3/4" DD?).

 

Ok here is what I'm looking at so far, I measure to find out what length column I need
Classic Car and Truck Brake, Steering and Suspension Parts
then the u joint
Classic Car and Truck Brake, Steering and Suspension Parts
and the column drop
Classic Car and Truck Brake, Steering and Suspension Parts
I just put a new wiring harness in the truck and the turn signal switch is one of the clamp ons so that wont be a problem there. I just wanted to make sure I was following what you guys were saying correctly and make sure I got all the parts I need to do the job. that would suck if I had it amlost done and forgot something, (hich I'm very good at doing)....lol

 

sounds like you covered all you bases.

 

Keep in mind the smaller your steering wheel the harder it will be to turn it

 

uhhuh no power steering , and small wheel means your wife , unless she is a female body builder is NOT gonna like driving it . in a tight place mine can be a handful with my 5'9" 217 pound frame twisting on the stock wheel , now imagine a woman trying to do that with a " look at my purty , fancy, smaller diameter , steering wheel " in there ...................... you might not like what she say's to you just before kicking you out to the couch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ok here goes: first, figure out if you REALLY want to use the original box. Most have been abused and are worn out with a lot of freeplay. If yours has more than 1" of freeplay at the steering wheel rim, it will wander all over when driving (the infamous drunken monkey steering). Rebuilding the box will be more expensive than replacing it with the Toyota PS conversion. The add on power assist cylinder was a bad joke when it was first offered and hasn't gotten any better plus it is quite costly. see here for info on all the straight axle steering options and the Toyota conversion: Toyota Steering Box Swap For 1948-1960 Trucks .: Articles
I'm somewhat bias because that's what I put on my truck, and I coauthored the referenced article but IMHO the Toy box is a conversion that works like it was meant to be there.
Changing the column seems to be the biggest objection, people want to retain the stock column and wheel, but since you have decided to replace the column you have no reason not to replace the box as well.
If you insist on using the stock box for some unknown reason, you want to take it and the column out of the truck and cut the shaft about 2" above the box. Next grind 2 flats on the stub to match a 3/4" DD (also known as a double D) to 3/4" DD universal joint from Mid Fifty or Borgeoson. Almost all aftermarket tilt columns, Ididit, Flaming River etc are 3/4" DD shaft, but verify before ordering U joint. (If you go with the Toy box, you want a Toy spline to 3/4" DD U joint.
How long a column you want depends on the steering wheel dish (and any necessary adapter) you choose so pick out and order the wheel and adapter first. IMHO the common aftermarket 13" SW looks silly and will feel like you are trying to steer a locomotive when used with manual steering. The stock size wheel is too large for comfort with a tilt column unless you want to steer with your knees, a 15" wheel is about right. Bolt the wheel to the adapter and stick a 3/4" broomstick thru the column drop (wrap it with a strip of corregated cardboard until it'd the diameter of the drop) and into the u joint (grind or file the end of the broomstick to fit the joint. Slip the wheel onto the other end of the BS. and sit in your driving position(s) a steer and make vroom vroom noises while moving the wheel up and down the shaft to find the most comfortable length for you. Mark the BS where the wheel will mount take it out and measure the length. (should likely be in the 31-34" range unless using a 60's style very deep dish or reversed dish SW) When I bought my Ididit column, Mid Fifty had the best price and service on it.
If you have any additional questions feel free to ask, or drop me a PM.

 

Hey Tardster,
Happy early birthday over there!! I just ordered my new steering column & wheel tonight so I feel your pain. I went with a 30 inch No Name GM style column for 2 reasons - Price & there are lot's of steering wheel options out there for the 69-94 GM columns. I put the Ebay link below $229 plus frt - Ididit & flaming river are pricey.

Mine will hook up to a Mustang II front end - I went a little shorter on the column - I'm girth challenged & need some room & it was for a 1950 F1. A tilt column with power steering is a must if you want your wife to drive it - just saying.

Ben in Austin

30" Chrome Tilt Steering Column Column Shift Street Rod | eBay