Steering column swap on a 65

Hello: I'm fairly inexperienced in working on steering, suspension etc. I bought a new Ididit tilt column for my 65. Was supposed to be a bolt in application. Found out that there is no rag joint on my 65 and have to pull the whole steering box out and replace it in order to fit the Ididit.

Any suggestions for a steering box? If I get this thing out would it be better to go to a rack and pinion right away?

Thanks Guys. Turned out to be more work than I imagined but I'm not in a big hurry.

Jim

something for you to inquire about with Ididit... i think you need to cut the steering shaft close to the box and slide on a splined shaft onto the shaft at the gearbox and weld it on... then use a borgenson joint, a double D shaft and another joint coupled to the column... might not be a double D shaft but it'd be something along those lines...

i'd call Ididit and see what they have for that conversion. i have a R/P and a Flaming River column... i've seen the catalogs, i'm sure they offer what you'd need to fit the stocker column...


Johnny

You need to cut your steering shaft off at the proper place to still have room for a steering u-joint. Your will need to grind or file 2 flat spots on the shaft so a 3/4" double d joint will fit. Don't weld on steering parts. I can be very unsafe.
Tim

You need to cut your steering shaft off at the proper place to still have room for a steering u-joint. Your will need to grind or file 2 flat spots on the shaft so a 3/4" double d joint will fit. Don't weld on steering parts. I can be very unsafe.
Tim



THERE YA GO !!! Thanks Tim ;)

You should be able to use a direct coupler instead of a u-joint from the column to the box after cutting the shaft. There are wedges at the upper column mount to get the proper angle to the box. Also, I found on my 67 that the stock firewall mount ID was 2 1/4" where the Ididit column OD was 2". I had to order the Ididit adjustable mount for a 2" OD column.

As far as the steering box, it has 3 through bolts you need to remove. Depending on your headers and exhaust it may be easier to loosen or remove both of them, and it may be easier to remove the pitman arm as well. You may be able to get away with just removing the center link from the pitman arm. If you were going to rebuild the entire steering system while your at it, you may want to consider converting to rack and pinion. The cost may be close either way. I am just about done with my Unisteer R&P kit. It is supposed to be bolt on, but it isnt quite as straight-forward as I would have hoped. Check out my thread for details:
http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75784

Thanks for the help guys. I kind of thought I would have to cut the existing shaft and weld a coupler onto it. Looking into a new close ratio box from Flaming River. If so, will install with a rag joint I think.
Jim

I got the steering box out and the shaft cut for the Ididit supplied adapter to be put on. Not sure if I should weld it on or drill a hole right through it in order to bolt it on? Any suggestions? Also, I'm thinking about rebuilding the steering box while it is out. NNN offers a steering box rebuild kit. Anybody tackle this for a 65? Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
Jim

I would not recommend to weld the steering linkage. I am not familiar with the 1st gen steering shaft, but I think it is a solid round shaft. If this is the case, I would grind two flats on the shaft to make a double D and use the proper link to bolt on the shaft to the column. I have not rebuilt a Nova steering box before, but it would not be a bad idea while you have it out of the car.

Does the stock '65 steering wheel and horn hardware work with the ididit column?

As far as I know the Ididit column only works with a 1969 wheel and newer although I could be wrong. I use an aftermarket Grant wheel anyway.
Jim

Does the stock '65 steering wheel and horn hardware work with the ididit column?

My original 67 steering wheel and horn fits perfectly.