shorter steering collumn

[Rustytruck]

I have short legs and the Bronco is very comfortable for me to drive except the steering wheel in my face. Has anyone come up with a shorter steering collumn for an automatic and still use the stock Bronco steering wheel. Maybe a non tilt van unit?

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

I have short legs and the Bronco is very comfortable for me to drive except the steering wheel in my face. Has anyone come up with a shorter steering collumn for an automatic and still use the stock Bronco steering wheel. Maybe a non tilt van unit?

You could always just put blocks on the pedals! Sorry brother, I just couldn't resist! ;D

 

[Ranchtruck]

You can move the stock column down a bit, it's got slotted bolt holes and a clamp at the bottom in the engine compartment. That's assuming you have power steering.

The problem with a shorter column is that it starts running into your knees when you go for the brake pedal. A tilt column with a smaller wheel is really the best solution.

 

[mattt]

The late 70's full size truck or Bronco tilt columns are shorter than an EB column by almost 6" if I remember correctly. The full size van columns are about the same length as Early Bronco. When I installed the factory tilt column in mine I was happy to move the steering wheel away with the shorter column.

 

[backpain]

Some of this can be dealt with by changing length of steering shaft and moving the mount on the column, which for stock, is welded on.

i.e. if you were customizing from scratch, you have to determine how much column vs shaft spans the distance from firewall to steering box, geometry considered, of course.

 

[Rustytruck]

CMS, well the blocks on the pedals may help but moving the seat back puts you into the windshield header/view issue. I could wear 4" platform shoes and make it easier to get in and out of the Bronco and deal with the short leg issue and the steering wheel, buts thats hard on the ankles and the stretch in the calves hurts too. If my damn parents weren't so damn short and poor I wouldn't have this problem. But since they are both gone now the problem rests with me to resolve. At least I never reproduced short kids I broke the chain on that one, so no poor bastard can come back on me. Its funny as you get older its the little things that knaw on you the most.
Now back to my problem.