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Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:30 am

OK guys, I'll concede I'm not the smallest guy on earth. Six foot, 250lbs. I'm just a few inches short form my weight.. That being said...

I have decided want to go with a tilt wheel so I can fit behind it. Is there something out there that is commonly used or do I just have to go buy an old GM one and make it fit?

I know there's the IDIDIT line of columns, but their pricey, I'm trying to keep in budget. I have found some brackets and U joints that can be assembled, but for the prices of that, I can get back to an IDIDIT solution.

Any direction would be appreciated.

Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:58 am

I have used the IDIDIT/Flaming River solution on several buggies and kits. Its clean, smooth and reliable but yes..it is pricey.

There are generic EBAY tilt columns out there and, while the quality is not as good as the Flaming River/IDIDIT units they are not bad at all.

I did use a titl column from an old Chevette on my Sterling way back when, but I assume those are almost impossible to find these days.

Most tilt units from the factory are pretty big and obtrusive.

Fri Sep 19, 2014 7:26 am

jspbtown wrote: I have used the IDIDIT/Flaming River solution on several buggies and kits. Its clean, smooth and reliable but yes..it is pricey.

There are generic EBAY tilt columns out there and, while the quality is not as good as the Flaming River/IDIDIT units they are not bad at all.

I did use a titl column from an old Chevette on my Sterling way back when, but I assume those are almost impossible to find these days.

Most tilt units from the factory are pretty big and obtrusive.

Thanks, I found the ones on ebay for under $200. Should work fine.

The diameter of the stock steering column is what? 17MM? I need to know for the Ujoint that I will use to connect the two.

Fri Sep 19, 2014 8:16 am

I am not aware of any u-joint that will mate the 1"DD end of the aftermarket column to the splined end of the VW steering box.

I have always used 2 u-joints and a steering extension. The joint that mates the extension to the box must to modified to work.

Fri Sep 19, 2014 8:29 am

jspbtown wrote: I am not aware of any u-joint that will mate the 1"DD end of the aftermarket column to the splined end of the VW steering box.

I have always used 2 u-joints and a steering extension. The joint that mates the extension to the box must to modified to work.

What I'm going to do is use a 1" DD to a smooth XX whatever the steering column is. I have FOUR, yes that is right, FOUR steering columns laying around. I'm going to cut one down and use it on the other side of the universal to the steering box.

I can get 15MM and 17MM I believe as well as 5/8 and 3/4. One of those should fit right? It's one of those sizes. I'll dig out the columns and measure it. The battery went dead in my caliper, I dont have a dial caliper anymore, gave it away. So, hard to measure.

You think this is a bad plan? I agree about the 2 joints. I should do that. ANy reason I can't do this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Universal-Double-Sty...51c1c8be71

http://stores.ebay.com/Autonets/Interior-/_i.html?...d=84069715

Fri Sep 19, 2014 8:53 am

Well the steering column is a hollow tube that has a split on the end that is compressed onto a groove. You can't replicate that with a ujoint.

So I am trying to understand what you are suggesting. Off the column is a 1"DD. Yiou attach a u-joint to that. Now you have about 12" or so from the column to the steering box. Are you going straight to the box or are you using the donut? Are you just going from the ujoint on the column to a section of stock steering shaft that will eventually tie to the box somehow?

If so then the stock shaft is hollow...so how will you match that to your ujoint?

When I do mine I modify a Borgeson 5/8" Chrysler ujoint. I have found that the stock 5/8" ujoint was too loose and the 5/8" Chrysler was a little to tight. Its easier to make something bigger than smaller.

The first ujoint link you posted won't work without support. It will flop around as it is rotated.

Here is my set-up:

Fri Sep 19, 2014 10:51 am

I used a tilt steering column from a Chevette. We shortened the column and there was a hollow end left. Welded a piece of solid steel shafting in and put a groove in it for the bolt. It is mated up to the VW rag joint. We changed out the wheel to something more sporty. Been trouble free for 7 years.

Fri Sep 19, 2014 3:01 pm

tgodber wrote: I used a tilt steering column from a Chevette. We shortened the column and there was a hollow end left. Welded a piece of solid steel shafting in and put a groove in it for the bolt. It is mated up to the VW rag joint. We changed out the wheel to something more sporty. Been trouble free for 7 years.

This is EXACTLY what I was thinking of doing, cept using a single U-joint instead of welding in case we can't get it perfect.

Fri Sep 19, 2014 3:07 pm

jspbtown wrote: Well the steering column is a hollow tube that has a split on the end that is compressed onto a groove. You can't replicate that with a ujoint.

So I am trying to understand what you are suggesting. Off the column is a 1"DD. Yiou attach a u-joint to that. Now you have about 12" or so from the column to the steering box. Are you going straight to the box or are you using the donut? Are you just going from the ujoint on the column to a section of stock steering shaft that will eventually tie to the box somehow?

If so then the stock shaft is hollow...so how will you match that to your ujoint?

When I do mine I modify a Borgeson 5/8" Chrysler ujoint. I have found that the stock 5/8" ujoint was too loose and the 5/8" Chrysler was a little to tight. Its easier to make something bigger than smaller.

The first ujoint link you posted won't work without support. It will flop around as it is rotated.

Here is my set-up:

Thanks, gives me more ideas. It's not that hard now that I see how it goes together. I should be able to make something up.

Where did you get the length of DD between the U-Joints? Is that hard to come across?

Fri Sep 19, 2014 5:26 pm

www.borgeson.com

Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:00 pm

Thanks.

I ordered a 28 inch tilt, with a key in it for $250 with shipping, chrome.

I'm working on the frame, I want everything in place before I powder coat it.

Getting this column will allow me to set up the support for it.

Sat Sep 20, 2014 7:29 am

Just for the record, a Chevy Cavalier column with tilt wheel and the wiper, headlight and God knows what other switches are very short (only to the firewall). I can buy them all day long in the Chicago area for $25.00. I have put one in a Maxi Taxi and it worked out very well.