Connecting Rod Steering Column Drop, Short, 2-1/2 Inch Drop

• Designed to fit most any 2-inch or 1-3/4-inch diameter hot rod style steering column
• CNC machined from 6061-T6 aluminum with a raw machined finish
• Can be installed as is, or can be painted, polished, anodized, or powder coated
• Mounts with two 5/16-18 bolts (not included) to your dash or fabricated bracing
• Removable adapter sleeve provides 1/4-inch spacing to fit 1-3/4-inch columns
• Connecting rod cap secures via 7/16-14 Grade 8 socket head cap screws
• Drops column 2-1/2 inches from dash edge or user fabricated brace under dash
• Longer 4-inch column drop version is also available
• Manufactured in house at Speedway Motors in Lincoln, NE

Classic Old School Column Drop Styling Without the Fabrication Hassle

In the early days of hot rodding there weren’t huge resources for speed parts like we are so thankful for today. Back then, if you needed a way to mount your steering column in your Model A Ford hot rod you essentially looked around your shop and used whatever components or even scrap parts that might work for a steering column drop bracket. We have no idea who to give credit to for the first hot rodder to use an engine’s connecting rod for hot rod steering column drops but suffice it to say it has been a popular option for decades.

Where many a hot rodder will run afoul (besides trying to find a used connecting rod) is getting the connecting rod to function properly as a steering column drop bracket. Often the “big end” of the rod is too big for the diameter of the column, requiring shims or material added to the rod to allow for a tight fit and function. Then there’s the “small” end of the rod and how to get it to mount to the dash’s leading edge or some sort of under dash brace properly. All of this, and more, takes some problem solving. Thankfully, our engineers here at Speedway Motors have made this all a much easier affair with our new aluminum connecting rod column drop mounts.

Easy Installation for Most Common Aftermarket Hot Rod Columns

No matter what brand of universal steering column you’re installing in your hot rod, if it uses a 1-3/4-inch or 2-inch diameter tube, our connecting rod steering column drop will support it. We designed our steering column drop bracket to natively support the industry standard steering column tube diameters by machining the connecting rod’s steering column opening to 2 inches and we provide a form-fitting sleeve (think of it as a connecting rod bearing!) that allows the smaller 1-3/4-inch universal steering column tube to fit securely as well with zero modifications required. Our connecting rod column drop is compatible with Speedway Motors’ GM tilt steering columns, our Nostalgia and Hot Rod universal steering column options, and many other universal steering column brands that we carry.

Manufactured from 6061-T6 aluminum and machined with a raw aluminum finish that can be polished, painted, or powder coated, our connecting rod steering column drop is a generous 15/16-inch thick and will drop your steering column 4 inches from your mounting point. Installation requires just two holes in your dash or fabricated dash brace to secure the connecting rod steering column drop. The mounting holes are 5/16-18 thread and mounting hardware is not included (due to the numerous mounting options/material thicknesses). With a mounting hole spacing of just 7/8-inch center-to-center the mounting point on your dash or under-dash bracing will take up very little room. A longer 4-inch drop version of our steering column drop bracket is available as well.

Today’s traditional hot rod and rat rod builds deserve a nostalgic nod to the past with their build styles. With a Speedway Motors connecting rod steering column drop you can easily have that bit of nostalgic build style without the old school build hassle.

Installation Instructions (PDF)