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TILT-A-WHEEL

Tilt steering, cruise control, heated seats and A/C are all amenities that we have grown accustomed to without ever knowing it. We’ve come to expect our seat to power forward and our steering column to drop at the flick of a lever; after all, it’s a matter of driver comfort. As these driver comforts have become a part of our daily drivers, it’s not unthinkable that we would want the same for our classic trucks. Our resident ’68 Chevy makes the rounds to and from lunch, along with the occasional cruise-in, so why not build in many of the same conveniences? After looking online, we decided that our outdated straight column just had to go, and then we’d work on the rest of those comfort items.

INSIDIOUS

David Salvaggio at Perfection Autosport says the intent behind its latest project, “Insidious,” was to do as Dodge is about to: rework an original ’70 Dodge Challenger with a range of insightful alterations intended to build on a solid resume.

HPX Reveal: Poole-Adams Racing Unveils First-of-its-Kind Toyota Supra NHRA Stock Eliminator

Let’s get one thing out of the way: Toyota ain’t new to motorsports. But this? This is something we didn’t see coming—and we absolutely love it. Welcome to the age of inline-six fury, dragstrip edition. Daren Poole-Adams just lobbed a turbocharged hand grenade into NHRA Stock Eliminator, and it’s got a Supra badge on it.

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ECONOMY STEERING

Installing a J&I Detroit Iron Steering Column in a ’56 Ford Pickup

Author

Jeff Tann

Story & Photography

The owner of this ’56 Ford pickup purchased it for a daily driver, and after driving it for a short time decided to make it more comfortable. Still running the original suspension, it rode rough and typically handled like an old truck, which it happens to be. He wanted a softer ride, and for the truck to handle like a modern sports truck, so several chassis improvements were in order.

Similar to how most rodders address these issues, he wanted improvements but needed to make them on a budget. To do so, he contacted the folks at Dream Cars in Simi Valley, California, to find out what they would recommend he do on his budget, and what those parts would cost.

Dream Cars is well aware of how rodders must work within budget constraints, and how component prices can make a significant difference when a proposed upgrade gets done. The shop worked at figuring out the best and most economical parts they could use to meet this customer’s demands and budget. Recommended improvements included a new independent front suspension, a Chevy 350 crate engine and a new steering system that would hook the steering wheel/shaft to the new rack-and-pinion unit. In this story, we will cover the steering installation and how it can be done for a reasonable price, as this will be a necessary step for such a suspension upgrade.

Aftermarket billet and chrome-plated steering columns weren’t an option for this truck, so a new steering column was ordered from a local supplier, J&I Detroit Iron in Norwalk, California. This column featured a column shifter, which was delivered with a black painted finish and is quite reasonably priced. The other parts required to finish the steering installation included a Flaming River column drop, Borgeson U-joints and steering shaft, and a Grant steering wheel.

With all of the parts in hand, the installation was quick and easy. The parts required to perform this installation consisted of nothing more than normal hand tools, Allen wrenches and a MIG welder. From start to finish this installation took half a day to perform, so just about anyone can duplicate the process even if it takes a little longer. Here’s how it went.

The base of the column drop was bolted to the dash first, and then the drop was installed with two Allen screws. At this point the screws should be tightened to the point where the drop can move back and forth for minor alignment.

The column was installed in the car and was placed in the column drop. Column drops are available in several hole diameters, so the correct one should be ordered for the column diameter. Here the column is being secured to the drop.

The original floorboard hole is covered with sheetmetal panels. They were removed to access the stock steering column when it was removed and can be reused for this installation. Here the right-side panel is being reinstalled.

The left-side panel was placed in the truck and required some minor trimming. Here a small section is being removed with hand shears.

After the trimming was complete the panels were connected to the floorboard with sheetmetal screws.

Here is the floorboard after the panels have been installed. The new brake pedal works fine with this installation, and the steering column exits in a comfortable position.

The original steering wheel is being replaced by a Grant Classic steering wheel. They are available in several diameters and dish applications. This one came with the steering column adapter.

The horn mechanism was installed and the nut was tightened. This is a simple steering wheel installation so anyone should be able to do it.

After the horn button adapter was installed, the chrome-plated horn button was connected.

Here is the Classic Grant wheel after it was installed. This steering wheel has three spokes so the open area should be on the topside for gauge visibility.

This is a simple installation that uses two U-joints and a single shaft. The steering column was installed first, and then measurements were taken and the parts were ordered from Borgeson.

The U-joint and shaft assembly was placed inside of the engine compartment, and then the U-joint was connected to the rack-and-pinion unit.