any hints on steering column placement?

[chimp koose]

I realised tonight that I had better mount the steering column in the T coupe BEFORE I make and position the steering shafts from rack to firewall.I have heard of using a broom handle with a wheel on it instead of the column itself . I have a good idea where the steering column should exit the firewall , is that the best place to start ? I have not mounted a seat yet as I do not have a floor in the car . I think the body needs to go back on the car for a while . Any hints or  ideas that you have found helpful in the past ?

[wayne petty]

no floor... you may want to create something to sit on.. got a transmission jack you can raise or lower with a moving blanket on the top as a  cushion..  or mounting your seat on it..

a 2x4 tie wrapped across your frame rails with some kind of replica where the pedals will be.. so you can put your feet up..

i am thinking more of the steering wheel position..  for extended drives..  who wants the nascar look of a steering wheel rubbing your chin..  

i am talking the teloscopic position of the wheel in your lap.. you will have to consider the thickness of the seat back and upholstery..

don't forget to visit the wrecking yard for the crown victorias, grand marquis, and town cars.. they have a really neat steering set up that uses joints on both sides of the firewall and a third section below on the frame rail to reach the steering box..  keeping the column angle acceptable for long drives..  they did have an issue with separation at the upper telescopic joint that was recalled. but a snap ring or bolt on collar on the outer sleeve will prevent it from becoming completely disconnected..   milling a round groove in the upper joint yoke and installing a ball ended bolt that will slide in the groove but not slip past the end of the double D shape as you have not milled it to the end..  you might even rob a shaft out of a steering column to make your own so most of the splines and joints are OEM quality..  

since  i have not seen what you are doing.. building in a strong pair of hoops above your feet or a pair of hoops.. one just behind the firewall and a other just behind the dashboard..  perhaps with some kind of side impact protection that you could have hidden by the inner panels..

just thinking about the large animals that might leap across the road in front of you..  although you might live in a big city up there.. i don't know..

something perhaps lower and flatter..  depending if you intend on having a working door or stepping over the solid side..


if you were planning on a GM column.. probably not. the almost impossible to find chevette column had the inner shaft on the firewall side that completely shoved into the upper column to get the chevettes starter out..  think of retracting a car antenna..  imagine going right thru the exhaust loops easily..  just undo the rag joint and retract the lower section.

[kb426]

CK, look at all the pics of t steering wheel placement and decide where to start for you. If it doesn't fit you, it's a waste of time. If there is a favorite position you have, hold your arms where you want them and have someone do some measuring to get close enough to mock up a column and wheel. You have your personal choice and the logistics of placement and connection to consider. T's never seem to be easy. As Wayne stated, do something to mock up seat placement.

[chimp koose]

I will likely be using a chev van column from a 74 I bought for parts years ago. I think its time to make the floors for this car , I already have the middle bench seat from a 91 caravan . When floors and seat are in , I will start with the column install. I already have the steering shafts made from the rack up past the exhaust header outlet . I now need to get the column in before I go to the firewall from there .

[wayne petty]

if you scrounge a straight column from a chevette.. you should be able to swap it into that van column since you are probably going to shorten the jacket.. to make it fit..  its just a thought..

[jaybee]

I like to have my wheel where it doesn't get in the way of reading the instruments too much (might not be much of an issue in your T bucket) and positioned so it isn't too vertical, close enough for my elbows to be at a 90 degree angle. It's very tiring to my arms and shoulders on long drives once my elbows get out around 135 degrees.

[chimp koose]

I will have center mounted gauges from a 53 mercury truck . I usually sit farther forward than most people and like the wheel close to me . This may be a problem as I will likely have the seat back even with the back of the cab to get leg room as I have moved the firewall back about 7 inches  . I may have trouble getting in past a steering wheel if I have it as close as I  like it . I am sure there is a solution , just thinking ahead.

[Carnut]

Cramped space?

Here's a possible solution.

[GPster]

I'd place a seat that you can comfortable in and could see out the windshield and a rear view mirror. Then I would sit with a steering wheel in my hands and go from there. Tilt/telescoping columns are kind of fat and bulky and might look out of place in your "T's" interior with your compact instrument panel. Any type of column that you can get a Grant type adapter for would give you a large selection of steering wheels of different diameters and deep dish. Just remember you will have to get out of the car past the steering wheel and the end of the seat. I learned this after the first drive of my channeled Model A coupe. GPster.

[chimp koose]

GPster that's what I was thinking about. The vision thing I had not mentioned but a friend of mine with a rat rod t warned me about sitting too far back and not being able to see traffic lights . I had that problem with a 57 chev tears ago . The getting in and out thing is quite important as I hope to use this car as a daily when completed. I am not a big fan of the fat man steering wheels even though I am becoming one