To shorten a steering column

[Shaun F]

I'm 6'2" and when I sit in my 80 the steering wheel seems to close to me as far as comfort goes. Even though I can live with it this way, has anyone ever shortened a column before? I would imagine all that would have to be done is remove the complete steering column/shaft. Take out a section of the column and then the same amount out of the shaft. butt weld the two together again and re-install. All this would take place on the driver's side of the firewall. I know a little finess and accurate cutting would be involved along with taking care of the wiring and some clean finishing work but does this sound logical or am I dreaming and missing stuff? Is it legal to cut and weld a steering shaft? Got to be sure of the weld!
Thanks,
Tall guy with long arms

 

[Jensers]

Do a search on this topic, but basically it has been done, and there are a couple of ways of doing it.

Cheapest is to do what you said - cut a section out of the outer tube someplace that when you join it - it will be hidden between the dash and the firewall, and then shorten the shaft at the bell housing end and drill a new hole and put in a new rod to hold the square sliders that work with the housing.

You can also do something similar, but put in some borganson or similar joints to shorten up the shaft and pitch the bell.

 

[Dan]

I'm 6'2" and when I sit in my 80 the steering wheel seems to close to me as far as comfort goes. Even though I can live with it this way, has anyone ever shortened a column before?
Tall guy with long arms

Shaun, At 6'6", I understand exactly what sitting in a '64 would be like since I own a '65. What did I do?

Bought an "IDIDIT" tilt steering unite. shortest one they made. Got the 800 bracket for the firewall mount. and made my own shaft out of a Ford Aerostar steering "U" joints. Replaced the 1" shaft with my own. Got rid of the rag joint too. I had to remove some material on the "U" joint to get it to slip over the steering box shaft. Now, that is the expensive way, but very easy to accomplish. Almost a bolt in operation.

Dan