Hi guys.

I’ve been looking into this for a while but does anyone know how to take 2-3” out of the steering column? Is it possible?

its a ‘71, non tilt (would prefer tilt)

It’s way too close to me. Ideally i’d like the existing column, just shorter.
I know flaming river etc sell shorter columns but I’m not sure they would fit like factory.

I’m in Northern Ireland. Anything I can use here saves the expensive of importing.

Thanks

 

Later model columns are shorter, 78-82, if one is available in your area. However they are a little different as they have the headlight dimmer on the signal stalk. Another possible solution would be to use a steering wheel with less dish.

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes I’m aware of the later column swap but they are different and I’ll probably end up with a dud column knowing my luck.
We’re not exactly falling over Vette columns here in Northern Ireland.
I know mine is good so would prefer to use it or get a tilt early column.
surely on disassembly it’s possible to take a few inches out of the case and the same from the shaft? Then get the shaft welded or resplined?
But will this mess up the gearbox lock etc? (I’ve got a TKO600 so I don’t need the gearbox lock anyway)
This is such an obvious flaw with the Vette interior I’m amazed no one has covered it?
It totally Ruins the driving experience with the wheel so close.

If someone sold this I’d be first in line-

Stock column design, stock key position etc
tilt/tele
just 2-3” shorter in length.
No gearbox lock

Seems no one sells that combo.😢

 

I have a 77, tilt/telescopic. Never once thought the column was to long. wheel to close.
Over the years I have heard a number of people complain about getting in and out with the standard column.
But you are the first I personally have heard say the wheel is to close for driving. So, no I really don't think it's a big issue that the aftermarket needs to jump on.
A wheel with zero dish may just be the ticket for you.

 

it would also be the easiest to try.

 

I'm in agreement that the stock position is not great for comfort driving. I went with a Flaming River replacement in my 68' (which had ragged out '69+ column in it when I bought it, so no loss there). I basically put the wheel in the position of the tele column with it pushed all the way forward, ~2". I think you may have trouble with the horn on a stock column being too long to do what you are wanting to do without modifying the lower dash pad and trim since it won't fit into the arch. The horn on the Flaming River and Ididit columns are shorter so you can move it forward so the horn buts up against the arch in the lower dash. If you modify your column, you'll need to reweld the lower dash mount bracket on the column. Welding on an assembled column would worry me with wiring and other plastic/nylon bits in there.

I will warn you that the tilt feature on FR columns doesn't get you much upward tilt because few cars have a column as horizontal as ours. There is much more downward movement available. Full down tilt will actually points the steering wheel slightly downward. FR's lower dash mount is completely adjustable.

Good luck!

 

And you're so lucky...
In '77 they took two inches out of the column.
I've always thought my wheel was too close....even with the tele all the way in.

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I looked at FR and Ididit. Happy to use either of those firms if they work? I’m also coming round to maybe putting the key in the dash like a ‘68. That would open up a few column possibilities as I could use a key less column.

I’m not sure who they used to test the ergonomics of the Vette interior, someone with long legs, short arms, no knees and a short torso.
im Only 5’ 10 1/2” and I struggle with it.

With a shorter column and the seats lowered it’ll be good

I was at a car show last year and someone pointed at the steering column and laughed and Said something along the lines of “ look at the size of that” so yes it’s not just me!

 

To my understanding, '68 had no key, but no tilt/tele either. Too bad, I really like old cars with the key on the dash, but I like the tilt/tele better...

 

I used FR because the guy at Ididit and I weren't communicating. He didn't seem to understand that I was trying to push the column forward and he kept trying to tell me what length I needed. Add to that, the other end had to be shortened because I have a Borgeson steering gear. My column was about 4-5 inches shorter than a stock '68 column. FR made up a custom column with no issues.

One of the reasons I switched columns was because the PO had a 69+ interior in the car and I wanted to bring back some of the '68 only-ness to the car. Having recently completed the conversion from column key to dash pad key, you will need a '68 lower dash pad, and trim pieces which will run $400+ USD. The sheen and color are not likely to match what you need so you may need to dye it....assuming that your '71 color was even available in '68. The key switch is available since it is a generic GM part. The key switch bezels are available too. However, the female harness plug is not. The good news is that the ignition wiring on your existing column will reach the upper right position after you cut the your existing harness plug off, so you shouldn't need to splice in wires. I used spade connectors with anti-corrosion conductive grease and connected the wires individually. Also the '68 column was a smaller diameter than yours and the dash pad is made to that smaller diameter. The FR column is slightly larger than the stock '68 column, so you may need to do a small amount of trimming on the new dash pad. And finally, you will probably want to keep your direction signal and tilt stalks, because the billet aluminum ones that come with the FR column looked like s**t. The threads are identical so it's an easy swap.

 

Hi mate

Great info. As always there’s more to it than meets the eye....

I’m personally not bothered about having a horn or the gearbox lock.

My Vette is a ‘71 made to look like a ‘69. So it’s far from stock but you’d need to know Vette’s to know something is not all it seems.

I will message Flaming River now and see what they say.

Thanks