Locating hole in body for steering column?

I'm building a Thunder Ranch 550 kit. I'm getting the front suspension and steering put together. I'm slightly puzzled over steering column location under the gas tank. I'd rather cut the hole in the body for it only once. ;-)

I'm not quite "getting it" with regard to where the steering column hole needs to go under the gas tank for the correct fit and alignment between the dash hole under the instruments and the steering gearbox mounted on the front beam.

It seems to me the frame hoop under the dash gets in the way of where the steering column should pass through the body on its way to the steering gearbox.

The steering wheel should be in the same plane as the instrument panel, right?


Can someone please point me toward some online photos of steering column details? Under the dash and under the hood and gas tank? Pictures would be a huge help.

Thanks!

Jason,
What front suspension and steering rack/box are you using? This will effect where the hole is drilled. Be glad to forwad pics for you, but I don't want to confuse the issue if you are using a different setup than we're using.

angela

I ended up putting a slight dent in the bottom of my tank for better clearance. I located the steering box and located where I wanted my steering wheel to be. I drilled a small hole and pushed a straight wire through each successive hole and drilling through the bulkhead to project the straight line from the steering wheel to the steering box. I made adjustments at each hole location as I enlarged to get the best - straightest line possible.

Look in my photos - folder SPYDERMIKE for picture Pb020007 and you will see where my steering column goes through under the tank. Mine is a Beck and I am using a VW steering box if this helps.

Mike

Thanks for the replies Angela and Mike.

I'm using a VW type 1 beam and steering components - nothing out of the ordinary that I know of.

I gave the whole thing another ugly stare tonight. There is a frame tube right in the way of where the column should pass through the area below the gas tank. If the column goes above or below it the steering wheel will be at a goofy angle relative to the dash gauge area. I hope I'm overlooking something and the frame doesn't need altering.

The SPIDERMIKE photos are a great help. I hadn't come across them when I've poked around the photos section. What color is your car? Also, I have a Flat 4 steering wheel but I haven't settled on a hub adapter or turn signal selector. I like the look of yours. What do you have and where can I get them?

With pictures being worth a thousand words and all I'll see if I can take a decent photo of the situation and post it.

I may need to give Mr. McBurnie a phone call.

Jason

The color is a GM color from the 1960s I think - can't rememebr the code - my car was painted in 1990.

The flat four hub came from fibersteel - give them a call..

Mike

Jason,
Its OK to put a u-joint or even two (properly supported) to get your column where you need it to go. In fact it is probably a little safer to have the column change angle. In the event of an accident, the column can "fold" at the joint instead of just stuff itself into your chest. The VW column has a bit of a collapsable piece in it (or at least the only one I'v ever taken apart did).

Factory cars have universal joints in their steering column assembly. If well done, they are perfectly safe and allow for more, say we say "efficient" packaging.

angela

Mike - thanks for the info. I'm trying talk myself into choosing a color other than the usual silver. Many years ago I thought Bali Blue looked great on a 356 I saw in print, or was it another model?. I'll talk to Fibersteel about the steering wheel goodies.

Angela - you make good points about adding a joint or two. I'll have a look at what is still in my 914 donor. I think it has some. This might be the time to look into what it would take to use a rack and pinion setup from a sand rail (or maybe the 914) like I think you suggested a long time ago. If I recall correctly, the "crush" part of the VW steering gets removed to shorten it. Hmmm... I'd better think twice about that!

--
Jason

Jason,
We have a 911 rack in our car (914 is the same). I would not use one again. They are center pinion racks. IN order to make the complex bend needed to get from the steering wheel mounting position to the center of the steering rack we had to use two double universal joints. Bought nice Flaming River parts - choked up $600 for the joints, shaft and supports. Then we (by we I mean Steve) had to build the thing including the mounts for the supports.

If you go rack and pinion, save yourself alot of aggravation and look into a left side rack (mustang II, VW rabbit, many aftermarket racks, etc). You can do it with the center mount but it is challenging to do safely.

angela