Remove 32 light switch rod

[BoxCar Tom]

Searched and read a few threads. Im wondering, is it possible to install or remove the light switch rod through the roof opening of a 32 3Win provided there is no headliner or roof insert material present? Will it pass through?

[deuce lover]

Probably easier out the rear window.Get a straight edge and see how the angle is of the column.

[DavidG]

Not if you intend to reuse it. As deuce lover indicates, through the rear window after detaching the steering column from the dash and temporarily removing the three bolts that attach the steering gear box to the chassis frame.

[BoxCar Tom]

Do I have to also unbolt the pedals and jiggle them aside and maybe also unbolt the engine and tilt it? At present the body and chassis are separated by about 10 miles. Just want to make sure that I put it together once without having to go backwards three steps.

[DavidG]

If the body and chassis are separate, no other steps are required to remove the light switch rod from the steering column or to reinstall it other than freeing up/re-attaching the rod at the light switch end. The trick is to remember to do it before the body goes back on the chassis.

[BoxCar Tom]

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ok the first trick is to install the light switch rod and the steering wheel before the body goes back on the chassis. The second trick is to lift the body all the way up over the steering wheel/column. Trick #2 is what I'm trying to avoid.

[DavidG]

You can avoid trick #2 for all intents and purposes by not attaching the steering box sector housing's three bolts to the frame side rail and just put the sector gear through the hole in the frame and lay the steering column down gently, resting on the steering wheel. That puts it well below the top of the firewall. That assumes that the firewall is attached to the body and your pedals are already installed. Alternatively, if the firewall is already attached to frame and not to the body, remove the pedals if they are installed and put the whole column assembly including the steering wheel in place after installing the body, followed by the pedals.

If the engine is a V8 and it is already in place in the chassis, you will likely have to remove the left side exhaust manifold under either alternative.

If you don't like either of those alternatives, go back to the first suggestion, namely install the light switch rod through the rear window before attaching the steering column to the bottom of the dash.

[BoxCar Tom]

Dave, Thanks for taking the time to respond. Im weeks if not months away, just trying to stay ahead of the OOPs factor (one step forward two back)

[DavidG]

Tom,


You're wise to plan ahead as even with lots of planning and previous experience, the OOPs factor still rears its homely head from time to time and sometimes the forward/back ratio is worse than one to two.