Steering wheel in my lap?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 860
Likes: 13
From: Asheville, NC
Steering wheel in my lap?
When we purchased our 66 F-100 it had a tiny aluminum aftermarket steering wheel. We purchased a reproduction for steering wheel, but when it was installed it literally rubs the top of your legs when you sit in the driver's spot. I know the seat is not original because it hits the armrests when you tilt it forward, but we are not sure if it is that or if the steering column has been replaced and is too long. Anyone have an idea or a dimension on the steering column to determine if it is too long?
Thanks
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 4
From: colbert washington
Welcome to FTE. Ill start the ball rolling by saying that a steering column being to long is probably not going to cause the problem you are encountering with the steeting wheel rubbing or being to close to the seat cushion. When you say that the seat hits the arm rests with door closed when its tilted forward sounds like a seat from another year truck. Can you post up any pics of the seat itself or the mounting hardware from seat to floor bracket. That might help us identify what is causing the problem.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 860
Likes: 13
From: Asheville, NC
Thanks for the reply Vic,
The seat mounting rails bolt into the original threaded holes in the "floorboard" and the seat bolts to the rails without any noticable modification. The best I can tell by searching online is the seat is from a 67 truck. According to the VIN# the truck came originally with a 3 on the tree manual, it now has a C-4 and a floor shifter. The steering column in the truck has no opening for column shift linkage so we are sure it has been changed (plus it is a different color, the collar has no opening for a shift lever, and the turn signal switch has an opening which matches the diameter of later model horn brush assembly). I have seen forums here that indicate later model seats will fit the original rails but will hit the arm rests. I will get some pics in the light tomorrow to post (no garage, strictly shade tree).
Thanks again, have a good night,
Gavin
The seat mounting rails bolt into the original threaded holes in the "floorboard" and the seat bolts to the rails without any noticable modification. The best I can tell by searching online is the seat is from a 67 truck. According to the VIN# the truck came originally with a 3 on the tree manual, it now has a C-4 and a floor shifter. The steering column in the truck has no opening for column shift linkage so we are sure it has been changed (plus it is a different color, the collar has no opening for a shift lever, and the turn signal switch has an opening which matches the diameter of later model horn brush assembly). I have seen forums here that indicate later model seats will fit the original rails but will hit the arm rests. I will get some pics in the light tomorrow to post (no garage, strictly shade tree).
Thanks again, have a good night,
Gavin
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 14
From: Tucson, Arizona
So your '66 F100 has a non original seat and a non original steering column installed by some previous owner. Steering column angle may be changed, but there are a lot of variables which may have unintended consequences. In restoring my truck I installed brand new cab mounts, a rebuilt Ford/Saginaw power steering box, new rag joint, new seals in my column - in other words new everything. When I got it back from the alignment shop it steered very stiffly. The new rag joint failed. Before I took it apart it had steered fine. Back to the alignment shop where they diagnosed component misalignment and the fix was to lower the steering column, done with shims at the bottom of the dash attachment point and adjusting the angle at the floor column pass through. Fixed the problem. This is long winded, but the point is that the angle of your column can be changed, but other things may be affected. Good luck!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,315
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From: Rossmoor at Seal Beach
My 64 had the same problem with the stock seat, steering wheel and Column... I just swapped in a Mustang Repro Wood steering wheel. it is a smaller diameter and solved the problem and it still looks pretty much stock... It is just a choice of convenience.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
When we purchased our 66 F-100 it had a tiny aluminum aftermarket steering wheel. We purchased a reproduction for steering wheel, but when it was installed it literally rubs the top of your legs when you sit in the driver's spot. I know the seat is not original because it hits the armrests when you tilt it forward, but we are not sure if it is that or if the steering column has been replaced and is too long. Anyone have an idea or a dimension on the steering column to determine if it is too long?
Scenario: 20 year old buys new '65 F100 8' bed Styleside, 352 with Stick & Over. Is 6-5, 185 lbs., cab is a bit tight, but so what?
20 years later, 40 year old has gained weight, steering wheel very close to thighs and stomach.
30 years later, truck sits in storage garage undriven, because arthritic 50 year old can no longer fit behind steering wheel. And it sat there until 11/2009, when I sold it.
I can't fit in these old piles any longer, so I drive the oversized tub in my sig pic. 10 way power seat, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, enough interior space to 'swing a cat."
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 860
Likes: 13
From: Asheville, NC
Images posted
Hi everyone and thanks for the replies. The info provided seems to indicate that steering wheel to seat clearance is just a quirk of the truck. I posted some photos in an album anyway showing column and seat. I hope the link below works, if not I suppose experienced users can locate the album. One photo shows a dimension from the cab side of the bracket welded to the column housing to the steering wheel nut -- just shy of 14 inches.
Thanks again
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Becky_is_a_66's Album: Steering Wheel in my lap pics
Thanks again
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Becky_is_a_66's Album: Steering Wheel in my lap pics
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 91
From: Concord, CA
Looks stock normal to me. I am at 6'1", but only 170 lbs., and the wheel is closer than I like compared to all my cars. Just the design of the cab.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Albany, Oregon
Number Dummy's description is way to close to me.....over the years someone has been inflating the seat and shortening the steering column 
. My solution was to use a GM (ya I know but I had it) van tilt column, add power steering and add a 13 inch Grant wheel. Looks great and I can gain at least another 40 lbs until I have to change something.....
. My solution was to use a GM (ya I know but I had it) van tilt column, add power steering and add a 13 inch Grant wheel. Looks great and I can gain at least another 40 lbs until I have to change something.....
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Orem, Utah
The steering column looks shorter than stock to me. My steering column came from a '72 F100 but it is the same length as the original (yes I measured it). My seat came from an '84 F150, I swapped out the mounting brackets from the original. I have plenty of clearance with the seat as back as far as it will go. I'm 5'9", that might be why but I still say your steering column looks shorter than stock, it also looks to be bigger in diameter than stock and that could be what is making it sit lower, but I have been wearing glasses for 37 years so what do I know. This is the picture I'm using as reference. I know the angle is different. Just my half a pennies worth of input.
http://www.collectorcarads.com/Pictu...66FordF100.jpg
http://www.collectorcarads.com/Pictu...66FordF100.jpg
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 529
Likes: 14
never having previously owned a slick first time i sat in my 63 i thought there was something wrong with it because the steering wheel was in my freakin lap and the seat throws you to far forward. i'm not a big guy at 6' 180lbs and it's still a tight fit. i wonder why ford built them that way? in any event i got used to it and kinda like it now.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
never having previously owned a slick first time i sat in my 63 i thought there was something wrong with it because the steering wheel was in my freakin lap and the seat throws you to far forward.
i'm not a big guy at 6' 180lbs and it's still a tight fit. I wonder why ford built them that way?
i'm not a big guy at 6' 180lbs and it's still a tight fit. I wonder why ford built them that way?
What's the average height today? I don't know, but I do know that 2011 oversized tub w/10 way power drivers seat, power adjustable pedals, tilt/telecopic wheel will accomodate "She, who must be obeyed" (5-3) and Big Dummy (6-5).
When Ford introduced Super Cabs (S/C) in 1974, the front seat could be moved rearward. After S/C introduced, I never bought another Regular Cab.
btw: K.T. Keller, prez of Chrysler Corp made a huge error. When 1949 ChryCo cars were introduced, they were short and stubby with very high roof lines. Sales sank like a stone.
Keller had the cars designed so men/women could enter/exit without knocking their hats off. Meanwhile the rest of the automakers cars were longer, sleeker with lower roof lines and to hell with hats.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
I am certain another member will correct me if wrong. The 65- 66 seats are narrower than later models thus the problem with the seat hitting the armrest. I removed the passenger armrest, felt they can hang their arm out the window. Seem to recall, seat tracks should be same up to 71 at which point need to swap tracks. Since you have 67 seats, the width is same as later models, up and thru 90 model; therefore, should be able to mix and match seat backs with benches. Installed 87 Lariat seats, which have a lower profile, in the 65 using a 68 bench, thus did not have to swap tracks. I later found I could have replaced the 65 seats with the 87 and just swap the tracks. Intended to reuphoster so made a couple minor modifications to the 87 seats, pleased with the results. After some 35 plus yrs. the seat and fabric was pretty much gone so I swapped the seat for a 68 and it felt like my head was resting on the headliner and extremely firm; it was at this point knew I would be looking into other option.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
Rangers with bucket seats use the same buckets/seat tracks as 1965/66 Mustang. A bit more leg room is gained, but the seats are very hard with little padding which can be tough on the gluteus maximus, even if it has extra "padding."