Changing from long shaft to short shaft steering box?
 

I currently have a 67 Fastback with the stock long shaft steering box. It is worn and time to change.

Should I use this opportunity to change to a short shaft steering box with the rag joint? Or keep things easy with a new long shaft unit? (I am looking at the Flaming River units currently) I would imagine I can buy a new rag joint and new shaft to use with the new "short" style steering box.

Your thoughts or recommendations??

If you switch to the short shaft box, you need to get a new column. A '67 column at that, because the '68 columns won't fit in between the '67 pedals. I know because 2+2GT told me after I picked up a short shaft box:) The '68 design also uses a collapsible column, so if you want to go that route you need new pedals as well.

Hit up Glazier's for a used '67 column. I think they quoted me like $60 for one.

I have a '67 Coupe and changed my spear-o-matic out for a '68 column and had my original gearbox rebuilt and installed a short shaft from a '69 box since my gearbox was in great shape (PS). I was changing from manual to PDB at the same time so I switched the pedal out anyway (automatic) and the pedal does have a slight bow to go around the larger collapseable column. I'm sure the manual pedals are the same way due to the larger diameter of the '68> columns.
You may have to contact FR to see if their input shaft lands at the same spot as the stock short shaft gearbox to use a stock collapseable column, someone has to have tried this already?
Jon

I'm glad I asked the question! :) I thought I could just find a replacement column shaft, slip it into my existing column, install a rag joint, and be good to go.

What would be the difference between the 67 column I have now with a long shaft, and a 67 column with a short shaft? Are there differences in the 67 column tubes sizes?

I haven't seen a late model '67 with the rag joint, I can only guess that it uses the same column as the '68 collapseable? Or did thay make a noncollapse '67 with rag joint?
Jon

67's made after early January (iirc) 1967 used a short shaft box with a non-collapsible column. The federal safety regs changed in '68 to require collapsible columns, so they use a different column altogether. To clear the boot on the collapsible columns, they also had to use different pedals than the late '67 cars.

Thanks for the continued info!! It's funny, just when I think I know everything about my 67, every nut, bolt, how to, etc., I continue learning something new. :o)

Same here, we all bring some info. to the table, I keep thinking 'these things are 40+yrs. old, how much more can there be to know?'

I bet the late '67 column with rag joint but without collapse will be difficult to find however. I had no major problem installing the slightly larger diameter '68 column, just made sure I got all of the parts (floor mounts, dash mounts, etc.) with it. I installed mainly for the benefit of collapse but now that my box is converted to short shaft I can always swap the column later for a factory tilt, FR or Ididit easily if I come across one for a decent price.
Jon