Long Steering Column?

[marc4790]

Hi. I am new to this forum due to my first purchase of a 1971 F-100 Flareside pick-up. It runs well, but the steering column seems very long. I am 5 ft, 11 inches and even though sitting with the bench seat all the way back, the steering wheel is within 9-12 inches of my chest. I weigh 175, so I don't think it is my size that is the problem. Was thisstandard for the '71's? Can it be shortened by about 6 inches? Thanks for any advice,

[layedout72]

sadly, yes. thats standard through out these trucks. Your lucky if the bottom is that far away. easiest way to "shorten" it, would be to grab a tilt column and read up on the install guide on the front page.

[FORDification]

You can also consider installing an aftermarket steering wheel, one with less of a dish to it. Some aftermarket steering wheels are basically flat, so you'll gain several inches of belly clearance by installing one of them.

You can shorten the column if you're feeling adventurous. Read the following page for some ideas of what you'd be in for:

http://www.fordification.com/steering-column.htm

This is a basic guideline on what it would take to shorten a manual-steering column to allow use of a Ford/Saginaw power steering box, but even if you already have power steering, the basic principles of sectioning the column housing and shift tube apply.

[marz68]

I cut down my column since I will be going with a floor shifter I gutted the tube that goes inside, all I need to do now is remove the shift lever.

[marc4790]

Thanks to all of you for your helpful responses. I took the easy route and replaced the old and cracked steering wheel with one an after-market one with very little dish. Tha has helped to overcome the problem of teeth to wheel distance should the seat belt fail.
marc

[averagef250]

The factory ford steering wheels actually do a much better job of not killing you in a wreck than the aftermarket ones. I've eaten a couple of them and walked away. The aftermarket ones fold right up and you take the column right in your gut.

[marc4790]

WOW!!! Thanks for the info Dustin. The factory one was cracked and the padding had all deteriorated, but I will look for another factory one.