Happy Holidays! Question: Has anyone here shortened a column shift tube? One of the things I'd like to get done before the end of the year is the steering on my '29 roadster. I'm using a '40 steering box (side-steer), and I'll need to shorten the steering column so I can use the column shifter for my BW R10 OD. (side shift). I've got the steering wheel where I want it, and the shaft connected to the '40 box with U-Joints and a mid-shaft. Now that I've cut down the steering shaft where I like it, the shaft tube is too long. I've attached a couple of pictures of where I stand with the column. I figure someone here must have done column shift for their Hot Rod, but I can't find anything after a long search.
I’ve converted a couple of 3 speed column shifts to automatic over the years and they’ve ended up looking pretty close to what you have there. I’m guessing you want to get it closer to the firewall for appearance?
So which part are you needing to cut down? The steering column mast/ tube? I’ve read it a few times and looked at the photos a few times and I’m still not 100% I think if that’s what you’re asking I would get the shifter arms on the column where you want it and then cut the length further up behind the bell to make the length where you want it. Then I suppose you need to shorten the shifter rod itself, the one running up the column to the hand control/shifter. In my mind I would remove the shifter then cut the end off the rod and then re attach it in the same manor it was stock. that way you don’t have a splice in the rod getting twisted. I’d thought about doing a 3 speed recently that way and figured I’d just start from the bottom up. Get the rods from the trans to the forks on the column and etc etc
Take it completely apart and shorten each component separately, and then put it back together. It's just metal. Get the bottom where it needs to be first, and get the shift rods all set up to work properly. Once you have that, then shorten it up top.
That’s what I did Took the column apart Scribed reference marks on the tubes Shortened the tubes and tacked together Checked its fit and function Welded it up
All great ideas! Thanks! I really don’t want to F it up, so I’m going to take my time and write it all down. Looking forward to any other tips and suggestions or tips I can get
Another tip would be that when functioning correctly there really isn’t much force on anything while your parked with the clutch in just running it threw the gears to check for alignment/bind. So I would really suggest just tacking stuff together and checking it all together before anything gets really welded together or mounted solid.
So I took it apart and realized that it’s much simpler than I expected. Looks like I can take the same amount out of the outer tube and shift tube. I’ll borrow a chop saw to do that so I get square cuts, then tack them back together and check it before final welding. Here are some progress pics
I’ve two? Outer column tubes, can’t recall what 35-40 they were off of, but if you cut too short, goof up, etc, I can send you one your way.
Thanks, Budget! I appreciate the offer. I've got one spare outer tube, but no spare shift tube. I'm hoping not to F up. It's going to be a really tight fit to get this done. not much room in that area with the flathead in there and side shift plus pedals...10# of potatoes in a 5# bag
Jeff, it looks like you are on your way, as others have said, scribe the shift tube before you cut it, so you can maintain the orientation. Also, I am using a Saginaw transmission, and I needed to make longer arms at the trans, as the sweep at the shift knob was only about 3" from second to high. Good luck.
@Marty Strode Thanks for the pictures! Glad you mentioned scribing the shift tube. I would have forgotten to do that and had to cut it again...bullet dodged.
Done! I cut down the shaft to a length that placed the steering wheel where I wanted it. Then I measured all the other components (several times) to figure out how much had to be removed (just over 8.5 inches). I cut the shift rod first and tack welded it back together. Then I ***embled the whole thing again and marked the outer tube. I cut that and drilled a new hole at the end. When welding the shift rod back together I used a drill bit to keep the orientation right. It all worked out in the end and I’m glad that’s finally done! Once I’m completely happy with it I’ll clean it all up and give it some rattle can love. Column drop and shift rods to the transmission are next Oh, and when I cut the shifter rod to shorten it, a bunch of gross smelly water and oil came out.
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