Carpet/Wall Cover/Column = Monkey Puzzle

[pincheweddo]

I have been staring at this for over an hour now and before I cut up $250 worth of material, I thought I would seek help.

Is there an install sequence for carpet, fire wall (FW), cover and steering column? It looks as though I should install the steering column first to be fitted under the carpet. BUT the carpet goes under the FW cover which the brake assembly in front of (might just have answered my own question) and has to be in place to hold the steering column. This game of F'n tetris is scrambling my brain.

Here is the carpet I know I have to trim

Or do I trim around the column mount

How do I cram all of this $#!^...

Through this hole?


ing for answers to slow my brain down for sanity.

[jimmy828]

I just put my firewall cover in and had to take shifter arms off column to feed it thru hole. I wish i caught that before assembling column back together after rebuild of column parts. Hint, cut the backing/insulation out of cover that is seen from front before installing cover. Makes all parts easier to install.

[pincheweddo]

I just put my firewall cover in and had to take shifter arms off column to feed it thru hole. I wish i caught that before assembling column back together after rebuild of column parts. Hint, cut the backing/insulation out of cover that is seen from front before installing cover. Makes all parts easier to install.

Don't you have to slide the steering shaft out to get the shift lever out? This would mean the shaft would have to clear every thing in the engine bay.

[Calfdemon]

I don't have any answers for you, but I have this exact same adventure ahead of me when I get my truck back. So I am watching with extreme interest to see how you work it out!

[jimmy828]

I just put my firewall cover in and had to take shifter arms off column to feed it thru hole. I wish i caught that before assembling column back together after rebuild of column parts. Hint, cut the backing/insulation out of cover that is seen from front before installing cover. Makes all parts easier to install.

Don't you have to slide the steering shaft out to get the shift lever out? This would mean the shaft would have to clear every thing in the engine bay.

Yes to your question. At least that's what i did.It will make it easier if the brake bracket was dropped. That will give you room to wiggle the column from inside around so the shaft will go around your steering gear. Don't forget the flanges. I had no front clip or brake bracket on my truck when installed my column making a lot easier.It's still a pain in the a**. I'm curious, how did it come out of truck?

[guhfluh]

I just installed the abs firewall cover in my truck and removed the factory cardboard one. The factory cover was split above the column hole, so there's no need to worry about cutting the new one and it not being original. I cut the new one above the column with a pair of good scissors. You can't tell that it's cut and it looks great.

The problem I had was that the holes didn't line up well with much. I had to trim around the clutch and brake bracket, the column, the emergency brake holes, the fuse panel holes a little, and some of the fastener holes. The fastener hole below the heater box and to the left some is 2" off. The one in the middle of the truck above the trans tunnel was the closest, so I started there and worked outward, but that one still seems off, as it pulls the center of the cover in too much. I just redrilled holes in my firewall for the other fasteners, since I didn't want to leave holes seen in the cover. I will fill the old holes in the firewall with sealant.

Anyway, I would install the column first, then install the cover. Otherwise getting to the bolts on the column is going to be a hassle and you will ruin the insulation on the cover easily. It's too brittle of a fiberglass insulation and tears easily.

[pincheweddo]

I just installed the abs firewall cover in my truck and removed the factory cardboard one. The factory cover was split above the column hole, so there's no need to worry about cutting the new one and it not being original. I cut the new one above the column with a pair of good scissors. You can't tell that it's cut and it looks great.

The problem I had was that the holes didn't line up well with much. I had to trim around the clutch and brake bracket, the column, the emergency brake holes, the fuse panel holes a little, and some of the fastener holes. The fastener hole below the heater box and to the left some is 2" off. The one in the middle of the truck above the trans tunnel was the closest, so I started there and worked outward, but that one still seems off, as it pulls the center of the cover in too much. I just redrilled holes in my firewall for the other fasteners, since I didn't want to leave holes seen in the cover. I will fill the old holes in the firewall with sealant.

Anyway, I would install the column first, then install the cover. Otherwise getting to the bolts on the column is going to be a hassle and you will ruin the insulation on the cover easily. It's too brittle of a fiberglass insulation and tears easily.

So far, what you have said is my approach. The brake assy will go in before the FW cover as the cover is cut to accommodate it. The emergency brake cable has to go in first and you have to cut the carpet to do it. I got those 2 done. Now to assemble that steering column that has been scattered all over the garage for months.

[pincheweddo]

I don't have any answers for you, but I have this exact same adventure ahead of me when I get my truck back. So I am watching with extreme interest to see how you work it out!

It can be done!

1. Trim out the carpet
2. Bolt in the column boot
3. Install the firewall cover
4. Insert the empty tube though the FW cover and boot
5. Put in the shift lever at the gear box.
6. Slide in the bearings, shaft, etc.
7. Pick up the interior side off the floor and bolt lose to the dash
8. Slide in shift tube and install the rest.

Of course mine is an automatic shift, the seat was out and the front body work was off. If I ever have to take it out, the cover will be cut.

[72stepside]

I cut my cover at the column with a very sharp knife. The cut was very clean. You have to look very closely to see it was cut.

[dotcentral]

I cut my cover at the column with a very sharp knife. The cut was very clean. You have to look very closely to see it was cut.

Digging up an old thread with this one.

Did you have to cut anything else, did you remove like around gas pedal? Or or just loosen up the heater box, and anything else in the way of the firewall cover?