Working on a 1948 chevy truck. 1/2 ton. I'm trying to keep it as original as possible, but a few minor upgrades for convenience/safety. I'm running into an issue with a more modern steering column on how to attach it to the steering box. Has anyone had the original steering shaft machined to accept a u joint. Or should I look at possibly changing the steering box out for a newer universal saginaw parallel steering box? ....before I get bombarded with questions as to why change the column ect. It was my grandfathers truck. All of my aunts and uncles learned to drive in it. I'm restoring it the best I can to keep it as they remember but unfortunately with health and age it's going to require a tilt column. Thanks again, I always appreciate the wealth of knowledge from this group.
If you have a little skill, you can put the flats on with a die grinder but it takes going slow unless you have access to a mill which does a nice job too.
I did exactly what @squirrel and @chevyfordman suggested on my ‘63 Belair. The stock shaft was .750” in diameter and it required I remove .093” per side to create a “double d” shaft. I used a flapper sanding disc on my 4.5” angle grinder and went slowly and carefully, measuring along the way. It turned out perfect. Ignore the crappy firewall seals and stretched out spring in this photo. All that crap got replaced later. To be clear, I did it by hand, in the car. Remember, sparks and glass don’t mix.
How about not changing the column but remounting the whole works at a slightly steeper angle to get the belly clearance you need?
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