Lengthen Steering Shaft - Ideas?

[noreasteb]

Ok, here's my dilemma... i just installed a WH 1" complete body lift/mount kit before placing my tub back on the frame. Now that the tub is set, the steering shaft is at least 2" too short. I figured I could just move the shaft to the outer limits of the splines on both the steering box and the end of the column, but this thing isn't even close.
Would it be possible or safe to cut the lower shaft and sleeve it with a thick walled pipe then weld and/or through-bolt both ends to lengthen the shaft?
As many of you are, I to am really tight on $$ and cannot really afford a new custom lower shaft. Any other recommendations would be helpful as well.

 

[70_Steve]

i just installed a WH 1" complete body lift/mount kit before placing my tub back on the frame. Now that the tub is set, the steering shaft is at least 2" too short.

My first thought is that there is some other issue. A 1" body lift should not make anywhere near that much difference in the steering shaft.

 

[Sac '68 sport]

Don't know what you have but the early 3 on the tree shafts (at least the one in my 68) was much longer than the 75 auto shaft I put in converting to an auto. I just wound up using the shaft from my manual column and putting it in the auto column. Just had to have a channel put in for a clip to hold the bearing in place. Might be able to find one and cut it down to size. I agree with the above though a 1' body lift shouldn't result in a 2 inch gap...

 

[gearida]

Can you cut the mount off the column and move it? The mount under the dash is spot welded on, or slot the bolt holes and slide it some, probably will not give you that much.

 

[methcat]

Ok, here's my dilemma... i just installed a WH 1" complete body lift/mount kit before placing my tub back on the frame. Now that the tub is set, the steering shaft is at least 2" too short......
.....Would it be possible or safe to cut the lower shaft and sleeve it with a thick walled pipe then weld and/or through-bolt both ends to lengthen the shaft?
As many of you are, I to am really tight on $$ and cannot really afford a new custom lower shaft. Any other recommendations would be helpful as well.

i did this, but gotta agree with steve. mine was for a 2" lift and i only needed to make it .75" longer...

 

[TN1776]

Now is a good time to add a slip shaft to your steering column. It'll give you adjustability and an added measure of safety if you're ever in a wreck.

I agree with the others though, a 1" body lift should not have made that much of a difference... something else is screwy in your setup.

 

[noreasteb]

Can you cut the mount off the column and move it? The mount under the dash is spot welded on, or slot the bolt holes and slide it some, probably will not give you that much.

I did try to move the steering column further into the engine bay but realized that the c-clamp around the column which mounts under the dash did no want to move.
How hard is to drill out the spot weld? Can I do it in-place or do I have to remove the column?

As for the difference in gap, I am stumped as well. I double checked the new body mounts and the actual lift amount is just over 1.5". I assume the old original mounts had about 0.5" of lift from the frame mount locations (threw them out months ago).

 

[gearida]

I did move my mount, due to cutting the shaft 1/2" too short for safety. I didn't have any problem drilling to welds out. I changed to power steering and the gearbox was much closer at the top, to the firewall, bigger box. I also added the double d adapter, you may try that. I think it is a Flaming River part.

 

[Nobody]

Check this thread for how I built a collapsible steering shaft for dirt cheap.

http://www.classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103040

 

[noreasteb]

I've started to mock up a slip sleeve and realized that the shaft does have to slide to fit it in place. I was about to weld both ends before double checking.
Second question - does the steering shaft need to have the ability to slide after it is installed or can it be set at a fixed length?

 

[AZbronco77]

Would it be possible or safe to cut the lower shaft and sleeve it with a thick walled pipe then weld and/or through-bolt both ends to lengthen the shaft?

I too have been wondering if i could do the same thing. I have a 2" BL. I did not see anybody answer this specific question. Does anybody know?

Thanks!

 

[Explorer]

This is what I did, but for a diff reason. The universal joint will gain you about 2" and also be safe. 3/4" smooth to 3/4" smooth bolt thru on both ends. And there is a bit of leeway in drilling the thru holes.

 

[noreasteb]

Well, this is what I have started on. I welded a 1" i.d. pipe to the u-joint end, installed both ends on their respective splines, marked the location of the pipe on the upper shaft and drilled 2 each, 5/16" holes for thru bolts. The only problem I may have is if the shaft needs to slide, similar to a drive shaft. This doesn't seem to be necessary but I am not sure.

 

[methcat]

I too have been wondering if i could do the same thing. I have a 2" BL. I did not see anybody answer this specific question. Does anybody know?

Thanks!

i thought i did?

 

[itsabronco]

Well, this is what I have started on. I welded a 1" i.d. pipe to the u-joint end, installed both ends on their respective splines, marked the location of the pipe on the upper shaft and drilled 2 each, 5/16" holes for thru bolts. The only problem I may have is if the shaft needs to slide, similar to a drive shaft. This doesn't seem to be necessary but I am not sure.

There is nothing really wrong with doing this, its just the safety issue is gone if you should unfortunately get in a front end collision. Your steering shaft turns into a spear. I dropped the bucks on mine and put in the W/H shaft.

 

[noreasteb]

I am not trying to argue this, just trying to learn a bit more ... I do understand that the steering shaft assembly could act like a spear in a front end collision, but do not fully understand the difference between bolting the extended shaft compared to the original steering shaft set-up in terms of safety.

 

[itsabronco]

I am not trying to argue this, just trying to learn a bit more ... I do understand that the steering shaft assembly could act like a spear in a front end collision, but do not fully understand the difference between bolting the extended shaft compared to the original steering shaft set-up in terms of safety.

Im not 100% sure, but I think the rag joint is the weak link idea of it tearing apart in a frontal collision

 

[Dave]

If you have to lengthen it, the collapsible shaft is the way to go. That steering shaft is a solid 3/4" or so shaft that extends right from the center of your chest to the front end of the vehicle. There is nothing significant to restrict it from putting the steering wheel through your face in a front end collision. Even if the rag joint fails. The collapsible shaft not only absorbs about 6 inches but provides 2 joints that would buckle and prevent the column from being rammed into the cabin. It's a very easy and inexpensive mod.

 

[noreasteb]

The idea of having 2 joints does seem safer for the reasons stated above. But by extending the stock length without changing or altering the lower joint or the upper rag joint does not appear affect safety. Is this assumption correct?

 

[Explorer]

The idea of having 2 joints does seem safer for the reasons stated above. But by extending the stock length without changing or altering the lower joint or the upper rag joint does not appear affect safety. Is this assumption correct?

As long as your mod is done right it's as safe as it was to start with. My 66 had only one joint at the box like many others. The collapsing shaft just makes it safer. Just like shoulder belts and every other safety feature added over the years.