 |
| Classic Performance Products |
| Tri-Five Steering Column Install |
| By Dakota Wentz |
|
|
|
| Those big and bulky steering wheels may look cool mounted
in front of a '55-'57 dash, but climbing behind the wheel of one isn't exactly
ritzy. The problem is that we're spoiled when in comes to jumpin' behind
the wheels of cars these days. Most cars now have tilt columns, some have
telescopic columns, and some even have power telescopic columns with pedals
that adjust to your height. People have grown out of squeezing behind a
steering wheel with elbows perched up like Yao Ming trying to squeeze into
a Mini Cooper. Longtime steering column manufacturer ididit has a variety
of steering columns for Chevy classics. From tilt columns, tele-tilt columns,
straight, and other styles, ididit has it all. For a consumer looking to
save some space, they have the perfect combo. For the tilt column that takes
up too much space, ididit offers a straight column shift. By removing the
tilt portion of the column, the straight column is a full 2 inches shorter
than a standard tilt with a column shift. Taking it one step further, ididit
offers the Shorty Adapter. |
The Shorty 9-bolt adapter is unique; it moves the bolting
surface of a steering wheel 2 inches closer to the dash than a standard
adaptor. The ididit 9-bolt pattern adaptors will bolt right up to many aftermarket
wheels, including Lecarra. One way to look at it is either bolt up with
ididit or suit up and try to shed a few pounds. Instead of opting to drop
some pounds, we went with a setup to shorten the shaft. We figured it would
be easier to squeeze behind the wheel of a new ididit straight column shift
with a shorty adapter and Lecarra Mark 10 steering wheel. Now that we've
created some room up front, there's still something missing-the agility
and responsiveness. Driving a Tri-Five is sort of like dialing on a rotary
phone. Classic Performance Products has come up with a new and improved
steering box that will give Tri-Five steering both a modern feel and good
response time. Classic Performance Products has combined experience with
cutting-edge technology to manufacture a new 600 series of steering gears
that provide directional control of the vehicle. |
The 70mm piston provides better road feedback and a more stable
feel to the driver. The new CPP power steering box is designed around a
modern Saginaw steering box. The power recirculating-ball gears feature
low friction and quick response. An open-centered, rotary-type valve provides
smooth and quiet operation throughout the steering range, while retaining
road feel. The integral rack piston converts hydraulic pressure to a rotation
force that moves the steering linkage left or right. The steering system
and hydraulic fluid also acts as a cushion to help absorb road shocks. The
new 600 box features a steering ratio of 14:1, input shaft is 3/4-inch 30-spline
(same as 605 box), sector shaft is a 1-inch 36-4 tapered spline (same as
the OEM '55-'57 pitman shaft), 7/16-inch pressure fitting, 3/8-inch return
fitting and is made with all new components. If your ride isn't equipped
with power steering, CPP has all the necessary get up to hook ya up. |
 |
| To save some room, we ordered an ididit straight column shift
column and shorty steering wheel adapter. |
|
 |
| The ididit adapter is compatible with many aftermarket steering
wheels; we went with a Lecarra Mark 10 wheel. |
|
 |
| To tighten up our steering, this new 600 box was acquired
from Classic Performance Products. |
|
 |
| The old steering box pulls out pretty easily; it's just a
few bolts here and there. The removal process is also the same process as
installation, just reversed. |
|
 |
| Can you guess which is which? The one on the right is the
new CPP box. Although similar in looks on the inside is where the difference
is made. |
|
 |
| The CPP box comes with its own mounting hardware, but one
thing it doesn't come with is a rag joint. We used the old one and it worked
just fine. |
|
 |
| When it comes to mounting the new ididit column, there are
a few brackets that hold it in place. Remove the old column and bolt up
the new ididit column. |
|
 |
| Along the column there are several wires that need to be hooked
up. Make sure each wire is hooked up accordingly. |
|
 |
| At the top of the column the turn signal and other knobs need
to installed. |
|
 |
| Here's what this swap is all about-the ididit shorty adapter.
The ididit adapter is on the right; to the left is a standard steering wheel
adapter. Although similar in height, it's where the steering wheel mounts
to the adapters that matter. By looking at the blue arrows you can see that
on the standard adapter the steering wheel mounts at the top, and on the
shorty adapter the wheel mounts at the bottom. All in all, the adapter moves
the wheel 2 inches closer to the dash. |
|
 |
| When installing the adapter, you first need to hook up the
horn. |
|
 |
| Next, install the adapter on the column. Slide it over the
shaft in the column then bolt the adapter down. |
|
 |
| When installing the Lecarra Mark 10 wheel the first order
is to install the wheel on the adapter. |
|
 |
| Then, install the top portion of the ididit adapter. |
|
 |
| Not a bad looking setup is it? |
|
 |
| In case you were wondering about how much room we saved check
it out. Above is the old setup, the bottom of the steering wheel was roughly
9 1/2 inches from the seat. |
|
 |
| This is the ididit setup, which is a just about a full foot
from the seat! Now for those of you who are saying, "That's it, 2 1/2
inches?" think of it this way: imagine waking up and your waistline
has shrunk a full 2 1/2 inches. Quite a difference, huh? |
|
|
