shorter sterring column

[fairlane]

got a 67 f-100 and iam a big dude , i would like to get the sterring wheel closer to the dash, alot closer. i was thinking about relocating the gas tank putting it in the frame, that would gain me a little space, any sugestions on columns i could use?

[70_F100]

The best upgrade is a tilt column from a 78-79 truck or Bronco.

I'll be listing one on ebay later today, complete with steering wheel.

[jzjames]

Ive been thinking of this also. I already replaced my steering wheel with a Grant that has very little 'dish' to it. Helps. But for my driving, and the length of my arms, it looks like Id like to have the whole column about 1 1/2" shorter. (Then Ive also got to do the power steering conversion). Mine's a 67 too.
I really dont like the steering columns on these trucks. The later tilt-wheel columns look like ass.

[70shortwide]

if you have manuel steering you can use a power steering cloumn, I believe they are about 1.5" shorter maybe a little more. I did that in my truck. didnt know about the difference until I went to install it and had to make a bracket to attach it to the bottom of my dash. sure made it more comfortable, until I finished the power steering swap, then it moved back to the normal position

[jzjames]

Right. I think the thing to try would be to get power steering setup AND then shorten the steering column by cutting and welding. Ive tried to see if there were other substitutes you could use for these trucks, maybe one with a u-joint in it. and the only reply I got was 'Ididit" column. But there probably is a good substitute column out there somewhere that will work right.

[fordman]

taking the gas tank out wont give you any more room. the seat is almost up against the back of the cab with the tank in there now. unless you redesign how a new seat would bolt in there. (more straight up and down) then you wont gain anything by doing that. the tilt column is the best way.

[ROBT257]

Fairlane

I have the same prob. 6' and 265. That big steering wheel is a pain sometimes. Not enough money, time, and knowhow for the power steering. Am afraid that the loss in my armstrenght torque will suffer from a smaller diameter steering wheel. But a shorter column might make a difference. I'd like to know what you do and how it turns out.

[FORDification]

taking the gas tank out wont give you any more room. the seat is almost up against the back of the cab with the tank in there now. unless you redesign how a new seat would bolt in there. (more straight up and down) then you wont gain anything by doing that. the tilt column is the best way.

It's a common misconception that removing the in-cab tank will allow the seat to go back farther, but it won't. The seatback pretty much rests against the back of the cab when the seat is all the way back, so removing it serves no purpose in that regard.

If installing a steering wheel with less dish to it isn't enough, you're simply going to have to shorten the column or try to find and adapt a shorter column.