Ditching the stock Steering Column
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 10
From: Big Pine Key FL
Ditching the stock Steering Column
I drew up the new dash today and measured the finished cage for seats. I'm going to relocate the ignition/hazzard/turn/horn to switches in the dash.
what to do about a steering column. I'd like to keep the taper and splines on each end, be collapsable, and I would like sealed roller bearings. Any ideas?
Street Rod?
Dirt track?
Road race?
I guess I can also make my own out of some DOM tubing and OTS bearings.
what to do about a steering column. I'd like to keep the taper and splines on each end, be collapsable, and I would like sealed roller bearings. Any ideas?
Street Rod?
Dirt track?
Road race?
I guess I can also make my own out of some DOM tubing and OTS bearings.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 10
From: Big Pine Key FL
I've done some research now... it seems thet the steeroids linkage will fold on frontal impact due to the geometry. I can build it out of borgeson components. I can even make a telescoping shaft for crashing though I'm not sure I need it...
TT presents an nice option... I forgot about Speedway...
The vette colum is long 38" or so...
Issues...
1 the new dash layout is space constrained so making the column housing as small as possible is goodness. Picture a ladder frame (0.065 wall 3/4" square tube) across the dash and the console dropping down... 5 panels with dzus buttons that pop out to work behind...
Left - Electric/Fire Pull
Left Center -Tach/Speedo/turn/High/brake
Center top - Oil Press/oil temp/Water temp
Center middle Fuel Qty/Fuel Press/Volts
Center bottom - Trans temp/diff temp/vac
Right Pass - Laptop/LCD with GPS/and Engine Mgmt SW
Center console - Electrical and fuses
2 the turn signal stalk is in the way when getting in and out of the car.
3 I need to locate the battery master and fire bottle pull on the left most side of the dash again the turnsignal is in the way
TT presents an nice option... I forgot about Speedway...
The vette colum is long 38" or so...
Issues...
1 the new dash layout is space constrained so making the column housing as small as possible is goodness. Picture a ladder frame (0.065 wall 3/4" square tube) across the dash and the console dropping down... 5 panels with dzus buttons that pop out to work behind...
Left - Electric/Fire Pull
Left Center -Tach/Speedo/turn/High/brake
Center top - Oil Press/oil temp/Water temp
Center middle Fuel Qty/Fuel Press/Volts
Center bottom - Trans temp/diff temp/vac
Right Pass - Laptop/LCD with GPS/and Engine Mgmt SW
Center console - Electrical and fuses
2 the turn signal stalk is in the way when getting in and out of the car.
3 I need to locate the battery master and fire bottle pull on the left most side of the dash again the turnsignal is in the way
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: VetteMOD
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
A standard Vette column, from firewall to steering wheel flange is about 30-32". I think you could buy an aftermarket column like an Ididit in that length. Or many early columns (without a key lock and with floor shift) could be made to work.
I'm not sure how the turn signal stalk could get in the way when entering and exiting the car.
I'm not sure how the turn signal stalk could get in the way when entering and exiting the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
T signal lever was not a problem getting in and outta the car, for ME, anyway, but on a trip for a while, being unable to raise my right knee WAS an issue, so I bent hell outta the '78? up column I have in my car, and it's fine, much better yet after modding the floorboard and pedals some years ago for more room...dropped my knees down about 4 inches....
