The Ford Barn

eddie48 · 06-26-2020, 08:12 AM

Is there a spacer that is supposed to be between the column and the dash? I have about a 2"gap. Guess I could loosen the steering box and see if the whole thing would rotate enough to fit.
Thanks.
Ed

DavidG · 06-26-2020, 08:45 AM

The mounting holes in the side of the frame rail are slotted to accommodate both the higher commercial/truck steering column angle and the lower angle of the column on passenger cars.

eddie48 · 06-28-2020, 12:08 PM

Thanks, David. I will loosen the bolts and move it up.

DavidG · 06-28-2020, 03:09 PM

I should have added that originally there was a strip of rubber between the bracket and the bottom of the dash as sort of an insulator (anti-squeak). It was approximately 3/32" thick.

34p-kup · 06-29-2020, 12:40 PM

As I remember, I replaced the dash board to column bolts with Allen bolts. Easier to install I think.

DavidG · 06-29-2020, 12:50 PM

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They would make that unfriendly job much easier. Normally it takes an extremely thin-walled socket to fit on the bolt heads and clear the back of the dash panel. I ground down the outside circumference of a cheap HF 1/2" socket for that single purpose.

Back in the day that would have been a terrible job to have on the assembly line, day in, day out.

eddie48 · 07-01-2020, 11:53 AM

Decided to hold off for a little while. The son of the guy I bought the truck from just found a complete steering column in a storage container at his dad's place.(Dad died shortly after I bought the truck). The column he found has the lock/switch mechanism complete with key. I currently don't have the lock/key for the one I have. Can't wait to see the complete unit.

06-26-2020, 08:12 AM	#1
eddie48 Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 45	34 pickup steering column mount Is there a spacer that is supposed to be between the column and the dash? I have about a 2"gap. Guess I could loosen the steering box and see if the whole thing would rotate enough to fit. Thanks. Ed

06-26-2020, 08:45 AM	#2
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,601	Re: 34 pickup steering column mount The mounting holes in the side of the frame rail are slotted to accommodate both the higher commercial/truck steering column angle and the lower angle of the column on passenger cars.

06-28-2020, 12:08 PM	#3
eddie48 Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 45	Re: 34 pickup steering column mount Thanks, David. I will loosen the bolts and move it up.

06-28-2020, 03:09 PM	#4
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,601	Re: 34 pickup steering column mount I should have added that originally there was a strip of rubber between the bracket and the bottom of the dash as sort of an insulator (anti-squeak). It was approximately 3/32" thick.

06-29-2020, 12:40 PM	#5
34p-kup Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 34	Re: 34 pickup steering column mount As I remember, I replaced the dash board to column bolts with Allen bolts. Easier to install I think.

06-29-2020, 12:50 PM	#6
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,601	Re: 34 pickup steering column mount Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) They would make that unfriendly job much easier. Normally it takes an extremely thin-walled socket to fit on the bolt heads and clear the back of the dash panel. I ground down the outside circumference of a cheap HF 1/2" socket for that single purpose. Back in the day that would have been a terrible job to have on the assembly line, day in, day out.

07-01-2020, 11:53 AM	#7
eddie48 Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 45	Re: 34 pickup steering column mount Decided to hold off for a little while. The son of the guy I bought the truck from just found a complete steering column in a storage container at his dad's place.(Dad died shortly after I bought the truck). The column he found has the lock/switch mechanism complete with key. I currently don't have the lock/key for the one I have. Can't wait to see the complete unit.