E-Body Steering Column

I am having an issue with a 73 Challenger we just finished up. The couple that owns it are
of very different sizes. He is well over 6 ft tall and on the larger size and she is about 5'6".
She fits comfortably right now with the drivers seat about in the middle. He can not fit behind
the steering wheel.

I have ordered the Year One seat relocation brackets to try, and am planning on going with a
smaller steering wheel (maybe a tuff wheel?). Was also thinking maybe a tilt wheel column may
help?

Has anyone removed the crush can in between?
My question is, has anyone came up with a telescoping steering column that may work with out
a lot of modifications. Just trying to think outside the box...

Any ideas would be appreciated!!

Thanks,
Jim

after climbing around my stash of "stuff", and getting "so close, but so far away.......", a 78 imperial tilt/telescope column "very roughly" measures "about" 36-38" from the edge of the wheel to the floor mounting plate, with the wheel being in the collapsed [shortest] position.
it also has approximately one foot of the shaft protruding from the base, where it then would connect to the box.
if that may even be remotely close to anything that might work for you, i can do more "gymnastics" to get the column down from the rack, and get precise measurements and a couple of pictures.
[that ought to be a hoot, watching an old man climb around and get "stuck" in a place he won't be found for days to come. ]

Before Eric hurts himself......

Can she keep the car & trade him in on a smaller version?

hurt myself ?????????
you must remember something about my "stash of stuff"................ [and believe it or not, i got RID of FOUR pickup loads of it at Carlisle this year ! ]

never used them but made in michigan not china


https://www.ididit.com/c-1310143-retrofit-columns-tilt-floor-shift.html

Some later model mopars had tilt & Telescoping steering columns

The column was a GM design if I remember correctly. One of those columns may be modified to fit the Challenger.

As for removing the Crush Can yes it can be done. Two methods I have used.

Put a tough wheel and adapter which will cut off a few inches and you can still see the gauges fairly well.

I ended up with a Grant GT wheel and their adapter which took the whole length of the crush can out. Works great for me (over 6') but the gauges are covered by the small diameter steering wheel.

The only drawback is you loose some of the safety of the collapsible steering column.

You know my motto..

No Airbags, we die like real men.

I installed a retro Tuff wheel on my Challenger.Tried the adapter that removes the crush can and
wheel hit the dash. An a-body Tuff Wheel adapter worked perfect also a 6-way seat provides more adjustment.

Good looking Challenger.

Those A body Tough Wheel adapters are also available in B bodies and Truck/Vans if they got the tough wheel or a similar style factory wheel. They seem to became more prevalent after 74 in the B bodies and Truck/Vans. I am pretty sure (correct me if I am wrong) that the tough wheel was a dealer only option in the 74 and older B bodies.

This is the Grant GT and their short wheel adapter in a Challenger.

I just installed the ididit in my '70 Challenger. Crush can is actually smaller and has tilt. I'm 6'1" and did have a hard time with the original set-up, kept hitting my head getting in and out. With the tilt, it is much easier. It is an easy install. Jeff

I agree with all above comments... however, the factory Mopar TUFF Wheel is slippery.. not desirable... go with aftermarket Flaming River or other (they offer much better grip)... and consider in the long run to get a tilt steering column (for dash reading clearance... .and ease of entry/exit).

A tilt column from a F body might work, it took 3 different columns (f body, van and pickup) to make one fit in my 88 pickup. The tilt ones have a different connection on bottom of shaft because shaft goes in from top. I think a smaller wheel would work the best it remember the e-body’s where NOT made for tall guys so I’d lay the seat back more. I’m 6-2 and it’s not comfortable, I also lowered the seat as far as I could.