Thread: Fun With Column Floor Mount

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So I've got the column hung at 38 degrees wrt the car floor. The hole is bored thru the firewall. So I need a cool swivel ball mount.

I bought one from Flaming River that quotes it accomodates up to a 60 degree angle. Bull Cookies. It swivels all of 18 degrees.

I don't think it can be modified enough to work for me. What do yous guys use? Do I need to make one custom?

Suggestions appreciated! Kitz

I use a piece of exhaust flange. Depending on the angle at the floor, the hole needs to be beveled a bit, once in position tack weld it, then take it out and finish weld. It uses the appropriate gasket to seal, if you're real friendly with the exhaust guy he gives them for free, otherwise a couple bucks.

Great idea Bob. Now are you going to tell us how you made that neat column drop?

The actual column itself is a '67 Buick Special (any GM midsize will do) tilt unit that's trimmed of it's brackets and slipped into a length of exhaust tubing. The column drop can be done one of two ways (I've done them both ways). Form it from some sheet stock either welding the side and top pieces to the face piece or bent in a brake if you have access, then "smile" cut at the bottom to fit the tubing, welded and smoothed with a bit of filler. Or, ididit makes a prebent sheet stock piece that just needs the "smile" reshaped a bit, the rest as described. I've got kind of a thing for clean looking columns.

That's one smooth and professional looking set-up you've got there. And great idea for the floor mount! I might be able to do something along that line ............

Thanks much! Kitz

I fabricated an AL wedge to bolt to the firewall. The ball mount angle (18 degrees max) plus the wedge angle makes up the 38 degrees I needed for the unit to work.

Thanks for ya'lls help!

Kitz

That should work, looks great Kitz!!! Did you build the column drop too???

Jon, nice workmanship!

You might want to talk to your upholstery guy about how you're going to integrate that with the rest of your floor/firewall/kickpanel work/design before you go too much farther with throttle pedal, speakers, wire routing, etc.

Thanks Guys,

Naw Dave, I bought that from Lone Star as part of the body. It is an IDIDIT drop that is angled at its mounting pad. Unknownst to me at the time the stock 32 column had a slight right to left angle and I just went with it.

Bob the upholsterer is yours truly. I did buy covered seats from TEAS along with 10 yards of matching fabric for paneling etc. The interior is slated to be red and I plan to two tone paint the car; red on top and gloss black on the bottom.

I am thinking of powder coating the above wedge either red or black.

BTW I think I would be an excellent rat rod builder (SHHHHHH!). The finishing details on these cars is a real nad-buster for me!

I sure appreciate all of your feedback and support!

Best Regards, Kitz

It's going to be a really first-rate car, Fitz!!! Keep us updated on the progress. Best thing is, everytime I look at someone else's work, it gives me ideas and insight to improve my own....