Steering Column Angles?

Howdy Gang,

I finally have some time to put in on the 'new wife'. She's expensive and demanding but at least she don't talk too much.

I am mocking up the steering column. I put in the seat and got in and etc... I got it feeling right but I am also concerned with it looking normal. No holes drilled yet. Since I have the build, bulk, and girlish figure of a fat offensive lineman I just want to know if what is comfortable to me is not simulataneously ridiculous technically.

So, is there a general rule of thumb with say the column angle wrt the floor board? Like a range of angles you guys have seen or used? I have not seen many so I have no reliable frame of reference.

Many Thanks, Kitz

Mine usually end up somewhere between 32 and 42 degrees, depending on foot room and manifold placement. Stock Fords of the 30's-40's were around 37 degrees.

Thanks Bob!

Try a car that is comfortable for you and copy the seat ergonomics and column angles.

A tilt column can help the entry/exit bit, but is not necessary in many cars.

Here's a pic that may help.

Note where the wheel is compared to the seat base front.

How much drop there is below the dash.

And how high the 14" - approx. - steering wheel is to the cowl.

My only criticism with this car - mine, but it's all a learning experience - is that the seat back is overly thick.
Even so, I'm 6' tall with a 32" inseam and I can spend the day in it with no probs.

This pic of my under construction 31 on 32 rails roadster shows the cockpit sans seat.
The angle and placement of the steering column is very similar to the 32.

Nice part about this car is it has more legroom than the 32 does.
I could change the back cushion thickness on the 32, but I hate to tear the upholstery apart so I'm living with it as is - which ain't really too bad.

This is the reason for more legroom in the 31.

It's a mid-90's Dodge Caravan, two passenger middle seat.

Reason I emphazise two passenger is that many of the Caravans have the rearmost three passenger seat moved to the middle and the two passenger seat stored elsewhere so as to gain luggage room and still have six passenger capacity.
Many of them are found in the junkyards in such a configuration.

A lot of coupe owners will use the three passenger seat after sectioning for proper width which is relatively easy.
A touch better fit in the coupes, but the two passenger seat - imho - is the way to go for roadsters.

As you can see the seat back fits back under the rear cockpit rail a touch and can still go back another 2-3".
The seat frame I built is manually adjustable - four bolts - fore and aft, but it fits me correctly where it's at.

Pretty comfortable seat as well.

Thanks very much for the info C9!

I too am 6' with 32 inch inseam. I had to enlarge my tunnel 1 inch per side to clear my TH400 and I am finding the foot box area a tad cramped. Oh well ..... When needed I almost always default to function before form. I have an IDIDIT tilt column and it looks like I will be able to solve all the variables in this case!

Regards, Kitz