1971 Chevy C10 - Tilt Into A New Steering Column

We partially unbolted the clamp that holds the steering column. Since it needs to hang there until it's removed, we left the connection loose.

Focusing our attention on the engine compartment, we unbolted the lower clamp and removed the bolt from where the steering shaft connects to the column shaft.

Robbie completely removed the upper clamp and gave the column a good tug to disconnect the shaft, making sure to rotate the component to permit the shift arms to fit through the hole in the firewall.

The black tilt column on the left came from a 1978 Chevy van. The housings were the same length, and the shaft was only 3 inches longer. It was a breeze to shorten because it came collapsible from the factory and was held together with plastic rivets.

Only 3/4-inch in diameter, here's the old steering shaft inside the column.

The new column is a 1-inch-diameter-thick spline shaft. We are going to use the connecting shaft from the same vehicle to connect the new steering column to the old steering box.

To shorten the shaft without tampering with either splined end, we slid a wrench over the shaft and gave it a good whack to shear off the small plastic rivets. We tapped it with a hammer until it was the desired length.

This is what the shaft looks like inside the tilt collar. A small plastic knuckle keeps everything intact and allows all the movement to occur.

After painting all the pieces, Pacific Coast Customs replaced the lower bearing.