OK, so I'm new at this and have lots of questions. Anyway. I've discovered that I can use a Fat Man Fabrication front clip that will allow for a 3 - 5 inch drop, bags or coil overs, and all of the other usual suspects like power rack, disc brakes, etc., for my '50 Buick Jetback. I really want to keep the original steering wheel (maybe reduced by a couple of inches) and have no idea what to do for a steering column. Right now I have a 3 speed and even if I keep the straight 8, I want to go with at least a 4 speed manual (if that's possible). It would be cool to keep the "tree" but that sounds like it would be a very big issue with a new ******. So, does anyone have any experience with this issue?? Thanks for your help! Gary
No personal experience here, but I know a lot of people just cut the original columns off the original steering boxes, leaving the shaft longer than the tube. Then you put a bushing (either custom-machined, or some type of roller bearing) in the end of the tube to keep the shaft steady. Then a u-joint gets attached to the end of the shaft, connecting to an intermediate shaft, then another u-joint that's attached to the MII rack. I don't know if your shifter situation would give you enough room for this, but I have seen it done on other GM makes. Hope this helps...
I haven't done anything to mine yet, but I've thought about it. I'm upgrading from one automatic (Dynaflow) to another (700R-4), but intend to keep the column shift selector. I would like the turn signal stalk to be on the "normal" right side of the column, but I also want to keep my original wheel for now. I know some of the Flaming River/Ididit columns could be adapted and have some modern features, but I've not researched it. Other cars of the era (especially the Chevys) have been upgraded, so it can't be too hard. I'd call around a bit (with accurate measurements and such) and see if either of the companies I mentioned have a solution for you. If you learn anything positive or negative, let us all know! Scotch~!
my 50 caddy i cut the colum off put a bushing in the end and ran a ujoint to the camaro steerng box. I was able to keep the stock colum and shifter.many companys list the bushing to do it or look in mcmaster.
I just cut down a 53 chevy column for my 48 Tudor. A simple bushing in the end and some aftermarket linkage. Best of all is the self cancelling turn signals built in.
The linkage goes to a MII rack. Get that at any rod shop supply house. I made the bushing myself on my lathe out of a block of that white plastic material. www.rbsauto.com has a column saver which is what i went off of. Part # 387-000105 for $90 plus they have all the linkage you would need.
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