Shorter steering column?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Shorter steering column?
With seat all the way back, sitting up straight, left knee hits the steering wheel - solution - get a smaller wheel. Any used ones for sale by any chance?
But what about shortening the column so that the wheel is not all the way up my chest? Is there a way to do this? Has anyone ever try it?
But what about shortening the column so that the wheel is not all the way up my chest? Is there a way to do this? Has anyone ever try it?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
The 77 (& later) has about 2" shorter column & tele. which I like. Have tilt & don't use it except sometimes for working on the car. I would add the shorter column to a 68-76 immediately. In 77 it was easier to buy a new Corvette w/ it than the new column. This is very good for 6'.
I put the Grant black leather st. wh. on my Corvette a long time ago. It has polished slotted spokes & a very shallow dish which moves it closer to the dash. Nice, direct bolt on about 13 1/2" & back of the st. wh. is about 1/2" up from the mounting. Ideal.
I put the Grant black leather st. wh. on my Corvette a long time ago. It has polished slotted spokes & a very shallow dish which moves it closer to the dash. Nice, direct bolt on about 13 1/2" & back of the st. wh. is about 1/2" up from the mounting. Ideal.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Sounds like the OP is a taller fellow, and so for my '72 with fixed column, I put in a later vette TT column/wheel, happy to ditch that old bus driver early shark wheel....I pulled the TT lower flange about 3/4" off the firewall, it's better for ME that way....the later shark TT column is about 2" shorter than the fixed one.....
I also lowered the seat by about 3" total....removed the seat belt cover, reused the old OEM foam in the recovering, removed the bottom rear track support, all that dropped my head about 3" in overall seating height....then on the lower firewall, I cut it up the sides to the steering column height, across the bottom and bent it forward about 3" and lowered/forward the pedals about 3" dropping my knees off the wheel and turn signal lever....
I also lowered the seat by about 3" total....removed the seat belt cover, reused the old OEM foam in the recovering, removed the bottom rear track support, all that dropped my head about 3" in overall seating height....then on the lower firewall, I cut it up the sides to the steering column height, across the bottom and bent it forward about 3" and lowered/forward the pedals about 3" dropping my knees off the wheel and turn signal lever....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Sounds like the OP is a taller fellow, and so for my '72 with fixed column, I put in a later vette TT column/wheel, happy to ditch that old bus driver early shark wheel....I pulled the TT lower flange about 3/4" off the firewall, it's better for ME that way....the later shark TT column is about 2" shorter than the fixed one.....
I also lowered the seat by about 3" total....removed the seat belt cover, reused the old OEM foam in the recovering, removed the bottom rear track support, all that dropped my head about 3" in overall seating height....then on the lower firewall, I cut it up the sides to the steering column height, across the bottom and bent it forward about 3" and lowered/forward the pedals about 3" dropping my knees off the wheel and turn signal lever....
I also lowered the seat by about 3" total....removed the seat belt cover, reused the old OEM foam in the recovering, removed the bottom rear track support, all that dropped my head about 3" in overall seating height....then on the lower firewall, I cut it up the sides to the steering column height, across the bottom and bent it forward about 3" and lowered/forward the pedals about 3" dropping my knees off the wheel and turn signal lever....
Great information!
We do what we have to do, when we drive what we want to drive.
I bought the later model 14" wheels for my 71 and my 72. Even iwth the tilt & tele, I like the smaller wheel with the larger grip.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Sounds like the OP is a taller fellow, and so for my '72 with fixed column, I put in a later vette TT column/wheel, happy to ditch that old bus driver early shark wheel....I pulled the TT lower flange about 3/4" off the firewall, it's better for ME that way....the later shark TT column is about 2" shorter than the fixed one.....
I also lowered the seat by about 3" total....removed the seat belt cover, reused the old OEM foam in the recovering, removed the bottom rear track support, all that dropped my head about 3" in overall seating height....then on the lower firewall, I cut it up the sides to the steering column height, across the bottom and bent it forward about 3" and lowered/forward the pedals about 3" dropping my knees off the wheel and turn signal lever....
I also lowered the seat by about 3" total....removed the seat belt cover, reused the old OEM foam in the recovering, removed the bottom rear track support, all that dropped my head about 3" in overall seating height....then on the lower firewall, I cut it up the sides to the steering column height, across the bottom and bent it forward about 3" and lowered/forward the pedals about 3" dropping my knees off the wheel and turn signal lever....
I think I would like to undertake the later shark TT column and 14" wheel project. Any specific places I should look for it? How involved is the process for putting it in, will I need to make any adjustments or is it an easy swap?
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have 3 columns here at my house. A 69-75 standard column, a 69-75 T&T column and a 77-82 T&T. I can take a picture of the 3 of them together so you can see the difference. The two T&T columns are red but that can easily be changed also.
There is some modifications that need to be done to make the later column fit in the early sharks. The plastic lower shroud needs to be trimmed back. I think some other minor mods also. Nothing that cannot be done but it is not a bolt in.
There is some modifications that need to be done to make the later column fit in the early sharks. The plastic lower shroud needs to be trimmed back. I think some other minor mods also. Nothing that cannot be done but it is not a bolt in.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
I have 3 columns here at my house. A 69-75 standard column, a 69-75 T&T column and a 77-82 T&T. I can take a picture of the 3 of them together so you can see the difference. The two T&T columns are red but that can easily be changed also.
There is some modifications that need to be done to make the later column fit in the early sharks. The plastic lower shroud needs to be trimmed back. I think some other minor mods also. Nothing that cannot be done but it is not a bolt in.
There is some modifications that need to be done to make the later column fit in the early sharks. The plastic lower shroud needs to be trimmed back. I think some other minor mods also. Nothing that cannot be done but it is not a bolt in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
You haven't mentioned what year Corvette?
The 1967-68 Corvettes had telescoping only optional steering columns.
The 1969 thru 1976 had the first design Tilt & Telescoping columns.
1977 was a third design with the wash/wipe switch as part of the turn signal stalk. It also had the headlight dimmer as well.
1978 through 1982 was similar to 1977 with a dimmer but no w/w switch. There was a new dash starting in 1978 so these columns have to be slightly modified to fit the earlier dashes.
The 1977 and the 1978-82 columns can be adapted to fit 1969 through 1976 Vettes. You cannot fit 1969+ steering columns into 1967-68 Vettes.
This paper has all the info:
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ev23FE2011.pdf
Jim
The 1967-68 Corvettes had telescoping only optional steering columns.
The 1969 thru 1976 had the first design Tilt & Telescoping columns.
1977 was a third design with the wash/wipe switch as part of the turn signal stalk. It also had the headlight dimmer as well.
1978 through 1982 was similar to 1977 with a dimmer but no w/w switch. There was a new dash starting in 1978 so these columns have to be slightly modified to fit the earlier dashes.
The 1977 and the 1978-82 columns can be adapted to fit 1969 through 1976 Vettes. You cannot fit 1969+ steering columns into 1967-68 Vettes.
This paper has all the info:
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ev23FE2011.pdf
Jim
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
You haven't mentioned what year Corvette?
The 1967-68 Corvettes had telescoping only optional steering columns.
The 1969 thru 1976 had the first design Tilt & Telescoping columns.
1977 was a third design with the wash/wipe switch as part of the turn signal stalk. It also had the headlight dimmer as well.
1978 through 1982 was similar to 1977 with a dimmer but no w/w switch. There was a new dash starting in 1978 so these columns have to be slightly modified to fit the earlier dashes.
The 1977 and the 1978-82 columns can be adapted to fit 1969 through 1976 Vettes. You cannot fit 1969+ steering columns into 1967-68 Vettes.
This paper has all the info:
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ev23FE2011.pdf
Jim
The 1967-68 Corvettes had telescoping only optional steering columns.
The 1969 thru 1976 had the first design Tilt & Telescoping columns.
1977 was a third design with the wash/wipe switch as part of the turn signal stalk. It also had the headlight dimmer as well.
1978 through 1982 was similar to 1977 with a dimmer but no w/w switch. There was a new dash starting in 1978 so these columns have to be slightly modified to fit the earlier dashes.
The 1977 and the 1978-82 columns can be adapted to fit 1969 through 1976 Vettes. You cannot fit 1969+ steering columns into 1967-68 Vettes.
This paper has all the info:
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ev23FE2011.pdf
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 26
From: Ocean County NJ
I have a 68 vert non tilt, non-tele column, original steering wheel w/ Z06 seats and manual steering. I am dying to install PS and a 14" wheel. Gets a little tight entering and exiting the car, especially when you factor in that i have to negotiate my legs over the hot side pipes 
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
I have 3 columns here at my house. A 69-75 standard column, a 69-75 T&T column and a 77-82 T&T. I can take a picture of the 3 of them together so you can see the difference. The two T&T columns are red but that can easily be changed also.
There is some modifications that need to be done to make the later column fit in the early sharks. The plastic lower shroud needs to be trimmed back. I think some other minor mods also. Nothing that cannot be done but it is not a bolt in.
There is some modifications that need to be done to make the later column fit in the early sharks. The plastic lower shroud needs to be trimmed back. I think some other minor mods also. Nothing that cannot be done but it is not a bolt in.
Best of success with the new 70.
David
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
I have a 68 vert non tilt, non-tele column, original steering wheel w/ Z06 seats and manual steering. I am dying to install PS and a 14" wheel. Gets a little tight entering and exiting the car, especially when you factor in that i have to negotiate my legs over the hot side pipes
David
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Gordon, this is the young man I spoke of from Carlisle that I gave my black book to and who was shopping for a good car. Nice young man living up in New Brunswick area. Rafa, Gordon is a good friend and knows these bumper corvettes inside and out. Gordon did a lot of work on my 77 and has done the engine work on my 71. He knows them well. Stay in touch with one another, might work out well for you both.
Best of success with the new 70.
David
Best of success with the new 70.
David
Thanks guys...it was very beneficial to be on this forum and soak in all the knowledge about these cars
Last edited by rafalc; Sep 25, 2011 at 01:59 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 26
From: Ocean County NJ
You made me laugh with this one. I don't sense a complaint, just some hot facts on those pipes. My pipes are gone now and I am much happier for it. Hope you have been enjoying that car this late summer, mine is set to launch in the Spring. Glad to see your post. We know all about trailer issues don't we!!!!
David
David
. Will be replacing all wire harnesses once the season is over. Look forward to seeing Sparty next spring - good luck! 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Thanks David. I would love for someone to take a look at the car some day and point out concerns or potential problems. Right now its in the garage waiting for an oil change, new U-joints are in the mail along with GM diff additive and lube. I see that Gordon is about 50miles south of me but once the oil is changed and U-joints running smooth I would definitely make the trip, unless you guys are around New Brunswick one day...what do you think Gordon?
Thanks guys...it was very beneficial to be on this forum and soak in all the knowledge about these cars
Thanks guys...it was very beneficial to be on this forum and soak in all the knowledge about these cars