Started today by cutting out a whole for the shifter cable to fit through. It's very close to the factory drain plug in the floor, but my replacement floor pan didn't have it cut out.
(Sorry some of the pics are washed out, it was sunny today)
Then I put the seat back in, bolted in the shifter and parking brake.
After that, I cut the firewall mount off the column, and bolted the proper one to the firewall.
Then I took the pedal mount and duplicated the right side slot 4" further down.
Slid the column through the firewall mount and bolted it up on the right side where I put the new slot and marked the left side. But there wasn't any metal to put a bolt through. So, I cut part of the mount and folded it down.
(didn't get a pic of it folded, and yes, I'm going to fill the hole back in.)
I kept the angles the same, the bottom of the column just sticks further into the engine bay.
For some reason, I was worried the angle to the steering box was going to be stupid steep, but they almost point directly at each other. Hopefully it clears the headers.
Now, by moving it further down it's in a comfortable position for me...but the high beam switch had to come off to clear the brake pedal arm. I think I'm going to extend the arm and put the switch in a slightly different spot to clear.
I could also do a floor mount high beam switch, if it comes to it.
Then I stuck some of the parts I am going to use in to get an idea of placement.
2003 Silverado cluster, Trailblazer shifter, shift cable, and parking brake, custom mish-mash steering column with an '07ish Cobalt LT steering wheel.
Saturn SC1 or 2 (I forget, @Harley picked it up for me) power window/mirror switch/change holder.
I'm planning to use the Silverado parking light switch. I was thinking of using 07-10 Jeep Wrangler JK dash vents, because I like how they mount. But the passenger vents from the Silverado might work too. I ordered 2 more of those just in case.
Then I went shopping for Jeep vents. all 4 were between $200-300!!! I got a set of similar chrome-ringed vents from a Jeep Commander for $42. Jeep tax, I guess.
I currently have a Silverado heater control set, but I didn't grab the motors for the HVAC box before I scrapped it. I might try to get 2nd gen S-10 parts when the junkyards open back up, or maybe Colorado/Canyon stuff.
I also picked up 6' of 1.25" square tubing to use as a dash support so I can mount things to it like the cluster, radio, heater controls, etc.
I'm planning to shave the firewall except the brake booster, and build my own HVAC box. Something like they did on Project Binky.
We'll see how it goes.
Only thing is, now I want to move the gas pedal a little (maybe up an inch or so and back toward the firewall a couple inches.)
Jay