I have a 1956 Ford Tbird and it and it is hard to get in with the steering wheel location. has anyone ever installed a Tilt steering wheel in a 56 Tbird. If so how difficult was it and where did you buy it? Thanks Jerry

Never installed an aftermarket column in a Tbird, but Flaming River and Ididit are two suppliers of,columns.  Probably sold direct and sold through the hot rod outfits.  Borgenson also makes columns, but their site says they have no provision for signal lights.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I have an Ididit tilt/tele column in my 55 bird. It was part of a R&P conversion. The problem with just changing the column is the steering box has about an 18” shaft, splined on the end, that part of the telescoping feature. So you’ll end up pulling the box, cutting that off, and then machining it for a double D connection. Then you order a custom length column. Then you end up with the installed angle of the column being such that the wheel moves down a bit, but not much up. Unless you do a bunch of modifications on the floor, etc. to change the original angle, and then I think you’d be in for at least a couple u joints. Not impossible, just a real low return for the money and effort. I’ve never seen a bird without the telescoping column, but I’d guess it’s the same process. (The story on the R&P is worse. My car steers great, has no bump steer, and after a ton of time and money is slightly better than the later 3 sector box. Some things I learn the hard way.)

Probably your best alternative is one of the reproduction 14 or 15 inch steering wheels. I know they make a 57, I think they make a 56, no 55 wheel last time I looked. It helps if you have power steering with the smaller wheel. It made more difference than I would have thought in my friends 57.

Don’t get one of the offshore tilt tele wheels for the low ball price. There’s a ton of horror stories about those, including a personal friend who had one break backing out of the garage the first time after it was in.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Can you still buy a "fat man" steering wheel? I've seen them on some Bonneville race cars. They are flat on the bottom side to make entry easier. I'm sure some of the newer import cars have them too. Check in the aftermarket. 

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

steering wheel with a flat bottom search on Google.



Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Casco’s add

https://www.classictbird.com/Steering-Wheel-Small-Od-56_57-15-1-Per-car/productinfo/3600SM/

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Can I swap a complete 56 or 57 TBird steering column into my 55 Tbird without cutting?  Do I need the whole column or just the head?  I've thought about this so I could run a smaller steering wheel. 

Thanks for the information. I do understand it is complex. I have already put a 15" steering wheel in it. It is still difficult to get in and out once in it is fine. Thanks for the input. Jerry

I don't see any reason you couldn't do this.  The 55/56 dashes are the same and I believe the bottom part of the 57 dash is the same as 56.  Interiors are basically the same for all three years.  The only fly in the ointment that I can possibly see is that the splines on the steering box are different.   Some measurements should help things out.





54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

There’s something I can’t quite remember, about a long collar and short collar on the telescoping steering column adjustment. Maybe that’s the difference in length from the 55 flat wheel to the 56-57 dished wheel? It’s hell getting old.


miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ