In the Aw-Shucks file, Its darn tight on my belt buckle. My 47' steering wheel clearance is about 3 1/2 inches greater then my 53' . The only thing I can figure is that they must have needed to raise the wheel out some when they put in the column shifter. Is that the reason our sponser distinguishes between a 3 and 4 speed steering box replacement and column? Is there any way to get a little extra space betwwen me and the wheel. I thought about even replacing the wheel with a smaller one. No wonder all the bigger folks want a tilt wheel column. I'm maybe a little overweight, maybe a heavy 38" waist line. Or is that Too MI? Flashlight
My 50 column sticks out to far for my taste too. I'm not big, just think it's too far away from the dash. My plans are to cut the tube, and shaft, move the column to the desired position, and resecure it. I'm planning on using our vendors column bushing kit, and a shaft u joint to hook the shaft back together. It is pretty much the same as using an aftermarket box, with stock column, I'm just using the stock box too. There are write ups on how to do it out there. Just my input.......Mike
Thanks Mike, I went back and took more measurements. It seems the distance from the wheel to the dash is the same and the seatback to rear cab is the same. I think the culprit might be that the previous owner reupholstered the seat and had extra padding in the lumbar area, like about 3 inches worth! I'm going to see if my upholstery folks can get that out, without boogering up a first class reupholstery job from the previous owner. Flashlight
Sell that seat to a SHORT/SKINNY guy-- then get another seat without the extra padding. Happy Friday. Glenn
Thats just a saftey feature of the AD. No seat belt, no air bag, no problem. Only 6" of travel before the steering wheel prevents you from hitting the dash. Was a lot futher away when I was 12 and weighed 100.
Not Quite ! Actually , it's less than 6" before the bottom spoke of the steering wheel pokes a hole through your stomach and then parts your spine..... Never , EVER forget that you're driving a death trap here .
No Kidding...I had an Uncle who bought the farm that way! Impaling yourself on that wheel would not be nice. I would just get another seat but someone spent big bucks on this interior. I'll post a few pics of the 53'. Its not going to be completely stock that's for sure. But a very nice close to stock truck! My mystery tranny turns out to be a 65' or newer 3 speed Chevelle, Saginaw with a Borg OD unit on it. Flashlight
I have just the opposite problem with anything my nephew fits seats or steering into. He is B...I...G. When he's done I have to close everything up or else I'd have to set the clutch/brake/accel./ up with remote control. He is a genius at finding room where none exists so I'll have him look at a 46 big truck we have (same cab as pickup). A picture is worth a thousand so here he is by a 31 Model A coupe, note it hasn't been channeled and the frame isn't down on the ground. The other is of the car he's driving which he isn't driving but wearing it. Have you noticed at a resturant that the bigger the person is the more they insist on being seated in a booth? I think the same applies to cars. The biggest guy in my neighborhood when I was growing up drove an MG-TD.
Interested Let me know if you decide to change out your seat; I might be interested if we could agree on a price? TIA, Lewis.
