Thread: Steering Column Lenght

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Hi Looking to buy a steering column. Is there a certain length to use in a 32 3 window coupe. I am having a bench seat inside with no package tray. I am 6 '1 so leg room was an issue. Who sells a good column ? I see lime works offer one with a column shift. Are those hard to install?

For length the cookie cutter answer is 32", but I'd recommend you do a mock up to verify that that works for all of the other factors you're working with. With your height you are likely putting the seat as far back as you can, so a 34 might be better.........or not. Dished wheel or flat? Makes a difference. People are built differently from one another. Some are longer in the leg, others in the torso, even though overall they may be the same height. Makes a difference. It comes down you your personal comfort.

Mock in the seat as close to where and how high it will sit (including accounting for cushion compression). I like to use a broom handle or similar dowel, though a length of conduit or pipe would work too. Depending on your steering box type and location longer or shorter may work, and if you need two or three universals to clear engine stuff and whatever else.

If you use a mock up column/wheel combo you can account for all those variables and more (including belly if appropriate).

Limeworks is quality goods, and Steve will give you all the help you need to install it correctly.

I like to use a mid to late 70's Chevrolet/GMC van tilt. I have one in each of my 32 Fords. For me ... they are perfect.



They are small and have the tilt level and a automatic shifter. They have NO key and they have the P-R-N-D-L2-L1 indicator built on the top of the column.



Here is one mocked up in my 32 3W ...







And here it is finished ...



I am 6 foot 2 inches tall and overweight
The coupe is very comfortable ... even with a 400/500 mile trip ( one day ).



The columns usually cost $125 or so in my area ( at the salvage yard ).
You can also buy a shift indicator lense for them that is for the 700R4 ( OD )

.

Here is one just installed this week in another 32 roadster for a friend ...





This is a firewall side shot of one in a 32 sedan ...

As Bob says, 32" is usual but there are lots of issues that may come up, Mock every thing in place and measure twice.
Steve at Limeworks will fix you up with a quality bit of kit, Or the Speedway columns are good too.

FWIW, I used a 32 inch IDIDIT column. The regular steel type was not all that expensive.

Here are a couple pictures of my old '32 3 window to compare with the pictures that Randy put up. I used a '67 GM midsize tilt column which is very similar to the van column that Randy uses, but with a little less length on the shaft sticking out at the bottom. You can see in his coupe that he mounts the column portion at a slightly steeper angle than we did. Both worked fine, but had different steering boxes, his the Malval half rack, mine the Vega mounted tighter to the rail. He uses the tilt feature to compensate for the sharper angle, mine less so. He used the column shift, I didn't. Neither of us likes the ignition key on the column. Individual choices, both "good", but each suited to the builder preference and to accomodate other hardware choices.

Boy, that pink steering wheel sure jumps out at you.

Is this where I insist it's purple?

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

Is this where I insist it's purple?

You could, but I ain't buyin' it Uncle Bob.


O.K.....O.K. ..... It's purple if you say so.

Hey.................................I learned it from Pops...........

Just one question if i go with column how and where do you find the linkage that would work ? I am running a turbo 350 trans. Does the shifting lever slide off ? Just wondering when i drill the hole for the column.

Originally Posted by 32highboy54

Just one question if i go with column how and where do you find the linkage that would work ? I am running a turbo 350 trans. Does the shifting lever slide off ? Just wondering when i drill the hole for the column.

Just make a piece to move the shifter lever over to the right side. I then used a Lokar shift linkage kit.



I also have just gotten some heim ends and a lenght of stainless rod and made one. Easy to do. ALSO ... if you find a van column still in the van ... the original rod can be bent, modified and made to work with very little effort. I have done it that way also.

I have used the van column with Vega steering, Maval half racks and Mustang steering boxes.

I like my columns at a little more angle than Bob ...
mainly because I am 6 foot 2 inches tall and overweight.

Yes ... the shifter comes off easily. It is held on with a small pin that can be knocked from the bottom.

Randy

Thanks guys for all your help. Anybody going to the "Run to the Sun " car show in Myrtle Beach SC march 17-19. They draw about 2500 cars. Its a great show

Originally Posted by 32highboy54

Thanks guys for all your help. Anybody going to the "Run to the Sun " car show

I was there last year in my 32 3W ... I may go with my 32 roadster if the weather is NICE ...