Sat behind the wheel of a deuce for the first time.

[budman67]

I had the chance to sit behind the wheel of a deuce the other
day, the first thing I noticed, I had to lose more weight. but
not only that, I felt crowded behind the wheel,the steering shaft
is so long.

I have read my searches on this, the only answer I have seen
yet,is to change it over to a 5 ton steering wheel. Is there a
way to shorten the shaft??

 

[swbradley1]

I feel crowded behind the wheel too. But I expect to be at my size. In addition to putting a 5-ton wheel on the truck you can shorten the shaft as well. It's a lot more work. You can also remove the back cushion of the seat and replace it with something thinner. I have two Deuces and both have springer seats, one I fit great in the other I don't. Go figure.

 

[Cleveland Iron]

Rather than mucking with the wheel my brother put a thinner cushion on the back of the driver's seat of my deuce. It worked for him.

 

[budman67]

Thanks guys,I'll look into the thinner back cushion, and the picture.
I have a 36" waist,but what is above the belt line needs to go. LOL

As to the shaft adjustment, is there something on this forum about that?

 

[Digger09]

The 5 ton wheel doesnt make the steering any easier either.

 

[budman67]

I hear you there,had to drive a few trucks that had car size steering wheels,
even with the power steering,there is more effort. I didn't want to go in that
direction. I like the biggest functional wheel I can get.

 

[Cleveland Iron]

It is already a strong-arm steering system. I wouldn't want a Popeye arm steering system.

 

[Big Z]

I don't feel like going outside and checking first person...but at this angle, wouldn't shortening the shaft move you from belly- to leg-interference if a wheel-change wasn't done in conjunction? Or raising the column beforehand..

 

[budman67]

I think you are right on the leg interference,I guess there are no two ways
around it, time to lose more weight is cheaper in the long run.

 

[budman67]

It is already a strong-arm steering system. I wouldn't want a Popeye arm steering system.

I don't think I can eat that much spinach. YUCK!!

 

[Dipstick]

Well, I had power steering installed on mine. It uses a steering wheel two inches in diameter smaller than stock. Steering at low speeds is a breeze and it sure makes the Deuce's cramped cab easier to live with.

 

[Cleveland Iron]

I don't think I can eat that much spinach. YUCK!!

Yah, but would you ride shotgun with someone who did?

Maybe not.

I'll leave it with Mil-spec steering, post mil-spec driver, do-it-himself rear cushion.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Jatonka does the shortened steering shafts. That coupled with the thinner seatback and mybe shaving an inch off the top of the seat bottom cushion will go a long way. Pedals are also adjustable if you bang your knee on your chin.

 

[budman67]

Well, I had power steering installed on mine. It uses a steering wheel two inches in diameter smaller than stock. Steering at low speeds is a breeze and it sure makes the Deuce's cramped cab easier to live with.

Is that similar to the air assist unit,or am I thinking of the wrong part??

 

[Dipstick]

Not similar at all to the air assist. It's a full blown hydraulic power steering system. Waterloo Specialties sells them.
The hydraulic pump is directly driven from the gear cover on the front of the engine below the air compressor. A hydraulic reservoir is mounted on the firewall. It takes a bit of getting used too. At speeds over 30 mph it seems to wander a bit. I don't think it's the steering gear. I think it's the blocky tread and stiff shoulders on my tires. Check out the Waterloo Specialties website. Hope this helps.

 

[welldigger]

Not similar at all to the air assist. It's a full blown hydraulic power steering system. Waterloo Specialties sells them.View attachment 395433
The hydraulic pump is directly driven from the gear cover on the front of the engine below the air compressor. A hydraulic reservoir is mounted on the firewall. It takes a bit of getting used too. At speeds over 30 mph it seems to wander a bit. I don't think it's the steering gear. I think it's the blocky tread and stiff shoulders on my tires. Check out the Waterloo Specialties website. Hope this helps.

How do you like that power steering system? I am strongly considering it when I get some super singles for my truck. I'm putting 395's on her so I don't imagine steering getting easier. How difficult is the installation? Or a better way to ask might be approximately how long did it take to install?

 

[RobRiot]

Is the 5 ton wheel the only other wheel that can be mounted. i know haveing a big wheel for a truck this size would be beneficial, but is there a way to maybe mount some sort of aftermarket wheel to it?

 

[Dipstick]

Welldigger,
I didn't do it myself. I had it done by the guy who bobbed my '84 AMGeneral. I will try to include a few pictures of the work being done that he sent me. That way you can see what it involves. I'm glad I had it installed. Roads are often twisty in N.J. It would be a lot of work driving without it and I'm almost sixty years old. I'm not good at attaching pictures yet, so I hope this works.
Owen "Dipstick" McCaffrey

 

[welldigger]

Dipstick, I found a thread last night detailing the install of that kit. Already forgot what it was called. Anyways it was very informative. I'm glad you like the setup. I plan on 395 super singles along with lockout hubs on the front with an air locker in the front diff. I already do a bit of off roading but the 9.00-20 ndt's my truck has leave a lot to be desired. Between the larger tires and diff lock I imagine steering is going to be a whole lot more fun for me without some help. And nice looking bobber you have there
Me and another member here are currently in the process of bobbing his A3. That build thread will be posted as soon as I start gathering and organizing the pictures we have.

 

[Dipstick]

Dipstick, I found a thread last night detailing the install of that kit. Already forgot what it was called. Anyways it was very informative. I'm glad you like the setup. I plan on 395 super singles along with lockout hubs on the front with an air locker in the front diff. I already do a bit of off roading but the 9.00-20 ndt's my truck has leave a lot to be desired. Between the larger tires and diff lock I imagine steering is going to be a whole lot more fun for me without some help. And nice looking bobber you have there
Me and another member here are currently in the process of bobbing his A3. That build thread will be posted as soon as I start gathering and organizing the pictures we have.

I think you would like the power steering. I'm looking forward to your thread on the A3 build. I'm currently awaiting front lockout hubs myself. I've had them backordered with Overson for two months now. I'm getting them for less rolling resistance on dry/paved roads. My Fstones are radials by the way.