1936 Dodge D2 Coupe steering column problem

[36 D2 Coupe]

I need to rebuild my steering box because it's badly worn. Here's the problem. When I got my coupe back in '66, the previous owner had tried to hotrod it. He had removed the steering column and box and replaced it with a Dodge truck steering that mounted on the outside of the frame in order to clear the Olds Rocket engine he tried to install.  Taking it back to stock, I was not bright enough to try and find the original so I replaced it with one from a sedan at the wrecking yard where I found it.. Now I discover that the steering column and box for a coupe is DIFFERENT  from the sedan unit. The column I have seems to be about 2 1/2" longer than a couple of others I have acquired. Can anyone tell me what length the correct unit for a '36 Dodge D2 coupe is supposed to be? My parts interchange book only says it is different but of course no dimensions. 

[richard m]

I have a D2 Coupe so I measured my column which is in the car so its a bit awkward.  I measured the column from the steering box to the steering wheel and it is approx. 41 1/2".  You would have to add to that the portion of the column that slides into the steering box (about 1 inch or so) and the part that extends into the steering wheel (about another inch).  Hope this helps.    

[36 D2 Coupe]

Thanks so much for this richard m. That is indeed an awkward measurement to take. It looks as if the column that I had been using is the same length as yours. That is good news. Not sure what the other two units I have came from but possibly sedans. So now I need to take the longer one apart to see why there is so much play in the wheel. I bought a set of bushings and bearings and a replacement sector shaft but if the worm gear is badly worn I'm not sure how to proceed. Has anyone else had success in dealing with that issue? 

If I take one of the other steering boxes apart, and IF the worm gear is OK, I would still have to cut and splice the shaft to make it long enough.  Nothing is ever simple  

[nearchoclatetown]

You MAY want to investigate if the ratio is the same for sedans and coupes. You never know about DBs. 

[36 D2 Coupe]

34 minutes ago, nearchoclatetown said:

You MAY want to investigate if the ratio is the same for sedans and coupes. You never know about DBs. 

Thanks for that suggestion - nothing would surprise me!