Steering Column Test Fit

First the weather report: More rain today, and more predicted every day for the next ten.

I received the Dodge truck steering column yesterday and did a test fit today. Using the '56 column support would have required too much custom work, so I decided to use the truck method. The column is the collapsible version, so the support is designed to slip apart for the collapse to take place properly in an accident. That feature required a custom support that was quickly made from angle iron.

Once the column was in place, I was able to check the measurements against the stock setup, and was surprised to discover that every dimension was within a half-inch of stock! Even the rag joint connection will fall in the perfect position. Since both the '56 and the truck shafts are 1" dia, it should be a simple job to join them. The trick will be joining them so that the steering wheel aligns properly. The best bet is probably to cut another groove in the steering wheel keying flat so there are grooves all the way around and create thirty-six positions for adjustment.

It will need some sort of trim to hide the support and wire loom, but that shouldn't be difficult. I will also have to modify the sheet metal where the column goes through the floor, but carpet will cover that. I did change my wheel selection to the one shown in the picture. It's from a mid-late seventies model, and though it's 15" diameter might be  small for manual steering, it looks a little more car-like than the one I first considered. Otherwise, the column looks much like a factory installation.