Column shortened 3 inches pics

[srziemkowski]

Finally got the column laid back in the truck this week before going to be stored before moving it up north.BIG DIFFERENCE FROM GUT TO WHEEL CLEARANCE

[jjzepplin]

Have never seen this done. Are you a very tall guy? Just wondering the reasoning behind this. Oh and greetings from Riverview Fl.!

[srziemkowski]

Sorry ,but moving back to michigan this weekend lol,but yeah,tall and way to many beers and with bench seat,the steering wheel way just to close to me but nice right now

[theastronaut]

Nice!! I think that's the first finished pics I've seen with a stock style wheel, looks like there's alot more room!

[srziemkowski]

Its only three inches but feels like a bit more

[K5 Addiction]

Being six five myself & wanting to keep the original wheel & bench I'd like the wheel a little farther away. How difficult was this? Can you detail how you did it?

[srziemkowski]

Was not to bad,basically make sure you do not cut any threaded holes off from the main part of the column housing and make sure all pieces are cut down three inches and welded back straight,astranaut and a couple others helped me greatly,thanks again guys,wanted to take more pictures but when you get caught up in it all and forgetting to ,sorry

[K5 Addiction]

Thanks man. I'll be attempting this in the future.

[srziemkowski]

Hope it helps

[gabe2000]

like ur idea. I have the same concern about the steering column and lookn for more comfortable seats for my truck. keep us updated. In the future I also want to do these.

[hugger6933]

If any one is thinking about this I have done it on my 68 model while changing to a tilt column. I am 6'3 380+#'s and need some room for all of me. I think there would be some tips in the FAQ's section on shorting the column that might transfer into the 60-66 modelsa well. I know that they would work if going to a van or motor hme tilt while seeking a shorte column. The only downfall to doing that is when you push the column down it lessens the affect of the tilting part of the column.[it don't seem to tilt as much because of the less lever affect]

[MikeS.]

I'm 6'5" ~340, one reason I looked for a Burb was that I can move the seat back farther. Then I'll move the 2nd row back some too.

If that fails, I'll probably do the column. Thanks for the pics.

[markeb01]

Nice execution, that looks far more comfortable to me. I have an aftermarket column and found that trimming 1" off the bell where it bumped against the dash sure gave mine a lot more belly room.

[srziemkowski]

it is much more comfortable much beer gut room now,and now i wont have to cut back lol

[rustbelt]

Stan the Man, welcome back to the land of rust. If you feel the need to turn a wrench on an old 61 step-side, shoot me a PM once you get here. That steering column job looks great.

[Joemomma1]

"gut to wheel clearance", I love it!
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[1Bad62Pro/Street]

I always wondered why GMC & Chevy never made a Swing-away Steering Wheel
like was introduced on the 1961 Ford Thunderbird, and made available on other Ford products throughout the 1960s, the Swing-away steering wheel allowed the steering wheel to move nine inches to the right when the transmission selector was in Park, so as to make driver exit and entry easier. These would of been cool in our trucks.

History of Ford Swing-Away, Tilt-Away, and Tilt Steering Wheels:

http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird1961swingaway.html
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[MikeS.]

My Aunt Judy had 1 of those! I remeber it from when I was a kid.

['63GENIII]

That's a slick idea! I used to have a '68 Cadillac that had a tilt wheel that was also telescopic. I had that car when I was 17 and always wondered what that option was for. Now that I've been drinking beer for the last 21 years, I understand! Great job on the fab work. Now I have something to add to my "options" list.