Steering: Steering Column Options

[dnevin]

Hello all--

Although I do enjoy driving a column shift 3-spd, I've pretty much decided to go with the 5-speed conversion for my build.

In this situation, what do people typically do with the steering column? Do portions of the column from a later 4-speed car/floor-shift truck fit so you don't have the little nub sticking out? Do people replace the entire column with a later model?

Is it a good time to upgrade to the late lark saginaw box?

Or is aftermarket the way to go? If so, what vendors have you used? Is it still possible to use the original steering wheel (I like my basic wheel) with a later model column or aftermarket one?

Thanks in advance,
Dave

[Dick Steinkamp]

There was a Saginaw box installed in some Champions. If you can find one, they are a big improvement over the Ross. They are a bolt in and you can use your steering wheel.

For the column, you can either get the collar out of a floor shift car (4 speed or Powershift), or you can just shave the one you have and fill the hole that is left. I have done both.

[dnevin]

Thanks Dick! I'll definitely be on the lookout for a saginaw box.

[junior]

Hello all--

Although I do enjoy driving a column shift 3-spd, I've pretty much decided to go with the 5-speed conversion for my build.

This is something you are not going to regret doing to your car if you have the same results as my car...it has totally been transformed, has nice long legs on the hiway now, is so much quieter and relaxed than it used to be. At about 60 mph it`s only turning 1900rpm (3:42 rear end). Used to bug me that the column collar was left on with a metal snap in plug blocking the shift handle hole, but am so used to it...now I don`t even notice it. I also have the saginaw box, 215 section front tires and the steering is nice and light once rolling, but pretty heavy when going really slow, such as parallel parking the car. Have fun with your build. Regards, Junior.

[dnevin]

Thanks Junior. Good to hear that I'm going in the right direction for a driver.

[Skybolt]

How does everyone that does a swap from a Ross to a Saginaw deal with the horn wire?

[55 56 PREZ 4D]

I just picked up a 55 Champion sedan parts car for my 55 State Sedan.
The Saginaw box in the parts car has the horn wire in the column just like the Ross box.

[candbstudebakers]

As Dick states you can remover the collar and install a smooth one from as floor shift car or cut the numb and fill the hole but unless you change out the whole tube you will have the fingers down low showing.

[RadioRoy]

The whole column/shifter system comes apart. You can take it apart and take off the shifter parts that are no longer used. The chassis parts books show how all the parts go together and what part does what. You do not need to find an aftermarket steering column. Just do a little research and a little work and you can figure it out.

Around 57 or so, they changed the inner column and steering wheel mounting sizes. The later ones use a steering wheel with a smaller hole in the center.