How to make your Ford Explorer steering column telescope PICS

00tec-satx · 01-13-2011, 09:29 PM

Did this mod to my Explorer tonight. Got some pics:

The part before hacking it up:

I cut the part at the lines in the pic above.

I used a 9mm socket to trace a nice round edge that matches the original ends. I left .15" between the center hole and the edges

*NHarris* · 01-23-2011, 03:51 PM

-I'm thinking of doing this to my 05 XLT during the spring or summer, as it appears my XLT didn't get this option.
-Excellent write up.
-So I have a question. After you finish this mod, when you go to adjust the steering wheel do you just undo the lever and pull out on the steering wheel?
EDIT: I know it may sounds like a stupid question, but I figured I shall ask.

JoshMcMadMac · 01-23-2011, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHarris

-I'm thinking of doing this to my 05 XLT during the spring or summer, as it appears my XLT didn't get this option.
-Excellent write up.
-So I have a question. After you finish this mod, when you go to adjust the steering wheel do you just undo the lever and pull out on the steering wheel?
EDIT: I know it may sounds like a stupid question, but I figured I shall ask.

Yes, when you release the lever you can pull/push the wheel along with tilting it.

Hitchhikingmike · 01-23-2011, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHarris

-I'm thinking of doing this to my 05 XLT during the spring or summer, as it appears my XLT didn't get this option.
-Excellent write up.
-So I have a question. After you finish this mod, when you go to adjust the steering wheel do you just undo the lever and pull out on the steering wheel?
EDIT: I know it may sounds like a stupid question, but I figured I shall ask.

Correct. The stupid question is the one unasked.

dkmcclelland · 01-26-2011, 09:08 PM

I'm new to the forums here, but it's like I've struck gold! I just replaced the rubber boot around the gear shift and now I'm about to give myself telescopic steering!

Hitchhikingmike · 02-13-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkmcclelland

I'm new to the forums here, but it's like I've struck gold! I just replaced the rubber boot around the gear shift and now I'm about to give myself telescopic steering!

rynodog · 02-19-2011, 04:44 PM

just did it today and i feel like i should send you $20, great write up

enyaw · 04-26-2011, 10:05 PM

Thanks for the write up ... Did this mod to my 2003 EB, NICE addition being a taller guy that has to have the seat all the way back.

*NHarris* · 04-26-2011, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enyaw

Thanks for the write up ... Did this mod to my 2003 EB, NICE addition being a taller guy that has to have the seat all the way back.

How much clearance did you gain from your steering wheel to your knees?
As it is now with my 05 XLT I barely have any room; I have ~2-3" from the bottom of the wheel to my knees.

enyaw · 04-26-2011, 10:57 PM

My knees don't come close to the steering wheel but I gained alittle over 1.5 This lets me keep a bend in my arms while driving, also you have the same travel of 1.5 pushing it in for a total of 3 inches ( could have made it a little more ) but this mod is worth it .

*NHarris* · 05-28-2011, 05:08 PM

Here's my sunday project.

2Trux · 06-16-2011, 04:19 PM

Well, I did this mod today. I was unable to get the dash part above the steering wheel off (no manual to look at), but was able to move it enough to get the upper column cover off. The bolt took a bit of work because it hit the dash on the side.
I was suprised to find the piece that needed to be cut was very hard steel. My hacksaw would have taken many hours to cut through it, so I used my chop saw. It took about 5 min to cut with the chop saw, then I cleaned it up with a bench grinder and file.
I measured 1 3/8" total travel on mine, although there is less when the column is raised to the top because the cover hits the dash piece.
A cool mod for only a couple hours time investment.
Thanks

ninobrn99 · 12-15-2011, 12:01 AM

I got mine taken apart, but couldn't get the main piecethe one that we need to hack) out of the column!! Any tricks or ideas?

PFC WHITE · 02-17-2012, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickupman

ok... I have an XLT with tilt, but no telescoping... so... this is towards the dash and away from the dash, not just between the cieling and floor, right?

Tilt and telescope are the same if you have an XLT more. Base model or mail carriers do not have for sure

Curtis · 02-17-2012, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC WHITE

Tilt and telescope are the same if you have an XLT more. Base model or mail carriers do not have for sure

Tilt and Telescopic are not the same

Tilt moves steering wheel up and down - we all have this
Telescopic moves it closer to you or closer to the dash

Kewowskata · 04-07-2012, 12:14 AM

Thanks, took a rookie like me about 3 hours. Had to take all the panels off and grinding with the dremel took forever!!!

[IMG]

[/IMG]Mod complete!!!

HCCA 250 · 08-18-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

just did it today and i feel like i should send you $20, great write up

ditto!

Edit: I just finished mine! It took a couple of hours, as I spent a lot of time on grinding the block. I just cut it, first. After I put it back together, I decided I might be able to get some more extension, by rounding the ends (as factory had). Not a good idea with fading light. I got it back together, twice. Five minutes, each of those times. But, the third, & final time, I spent an hour trying to get it back together. You might want to do this when it's well lit outside.

Also, I would suggest, more cutting on the side of the "keyed block", closest to the firewall (shorter ear). And less cutting on the side closest to the steering wheel (longer ear). Most of us want more extention, while inward adjustment, is less important. Unless you are a woman of 4' 6"! As Hitchhikingmike mentioned....you don't want to cut away too much of the keyed tab. It has to keep the adjustment lever from spinning, and therefore, not tightening up.

*orthoguy* · 10-31-2012, 06:58 PM

Great post!

I ran out to my EX to see if I had it....I don't

I wonder what models have this? Mine is a 2002 EX Limited with every option!

Thanks again!

*College Student* · 11-01-2012, 02:14 PM

Sorry for no one posting. From what I've seen the only explorers with this option are those who have done it them selves. Honestly I did it and almost never use it. It only moves when I'm just trying to relax.

*BigRondo* · 11-01-2012, 03:02 PM

Thanks for bumping this thread! I had forgot all about this.

College Student, I know that you said you never use it, but how was the experience of doing it? Once the mod is complete, does it work like it was installed by the factory, or like it was a homegrown mod?

I am considering doing this. I wish we had a tilt wheel and not just the tilt column. I wonder what it would be like to have the telescope column in addition to the tilt column.

Never had a telescopic coulmn, never thought that I needed it.

Could you possibly take some pics with the column titled down and pulled toward the seat vs the column up and forward?

Thanks - Rondo

01-23-2011, 03:51 PM	#42
NHarris Hmm.... Jeeps or Fords? Ogden, UT 1998 XLT V6 Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,477 Vehicle Specs	-I'm thinking of doing this to my 05 XLT during the spring or summer, as it appears my XLT didn't get this option. -Excellent write up. -So I have a question. After you finish this mod, when you go to adjust the steering wheel do you just undo the lever and pull out on the steering wheel? EDIT: I know it may sounds like a stupid question, but I figured I shall ask. __________________ Nate H 1998 Ford Explorer XLT 4.SLOW Restoration Project - OEM Restoration with larger than stock tires. 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo - 3.5" Lift, Quick Disconnects, Rear Locker, Mopar Off Road Package, Gray Moab Wheels, Differential Skid Plates, and much more!

02-19-2011, 04:44 PM	#47
rynodog Wannabe Elite Explorer south dakota none Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 16 Vehicle Specs	awesome just did it today and i feel like i should send you $20, great write up

04-26-2011, 10:05 PM	#48
enyaw Wannabe Elite Explorer Missouri 03 Eddie Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 46 Vehicle Specs	Telescoping Wheel Thanks for the write up ... Did this mod to my 2003 EB, NICE addition being a taller guy that has to have the seat all the way back.

05-28-2011, 05:08 PM	#51
NHarris Hmm.... Jeeps or Fords? Ogden, UT 1998 XLT V6 Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,477 Vehicle Specs	Here's my sunday project. __________________ Nate H 1998 Ford Explorer XLT 4.SLOW Restoration Project - OEM Restoration with larger than stock tires. 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo - 3.5" Lift, Quick Disconnects, Rear Locker, Mopar Off Road Package, Gray Moab Wheels, Differential Skid Plates, and much more!

06-16-2011, 04:19 PM	#52
2Trux Wannabe Elite Explorer Albuquerque, NM 2005 Limited V8 4X4 Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 65 Vehicle Specs	Well, I did this mod today. I was unable to get the dash part above the steering wheel off (no manual to look at), but was able to move it enough to get the upper column cover off. The bolt took a bit of work because it hit the dash on the side. I was suprised to find the piece that needed to be cut was very hard steel. My hacksaw would have taken many hours to cut through it, so I used my chop saw. It took about 5 min to cut with the chop saw, then I cleaned it up with a bench grinder and file. I measured 1 3/8" total travel on mine, although there is less when the column is raised to the top because the cover hits the dash piece. A cool mod for only a couple hours time investment. Thanks Last edited by 2Trux; 06-16-2011 at 04:27 PM. Reason: Add info

01-13-2011, 09:29 PM	#41
00tec-satx Wannabe Elite Explorer Dacono, CO 2002 XLT Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 18 Vehicle Specs	Did this mod to my Explorer tonight. Got some pics: The part before hacking it up: I cut the part at the lines in the pic above. I used a 9mm socket to trace a nice round edge that matches the original ends. I left .15" between the center hole and the edges

01-26-2011, 09:08 PM	#45
dkmcclelland Wannabe Elite Explorer Adel, Ga '04 ST Adrenalin Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 43 Vehicle Specs	I'm new to the forums here, but it's like I've struck gold! I just replaced the rubber boot around the gear shift and now I'm about to give myself telescopic steering!

04-26-2011, 10:57 PM	#50
enyaw Wannabe Elite Explorer Missouri 03 Eddie Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 46 Vehicle Specs	My knees don't come close to the steering wheel but I gained alittle over 1.5 This lets me keep a bend in my arms while driving, also you have the same travel of 1.5 pushing it in for a total of 3 inches ( could have made it a little more ) but this mod is worth it .

12-15-2011, 12:01 AM	#53
ninobrn99 Wannabe Elite Explorer Houston, TX 04 XLS Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 154 Vehicle Specs	I got mine taken apart, but couldn't get the main piecethe one that we need to hack) out of the column!! Any tricks or ideas?

04-07-2012, 12:14 AM	#56
Kewowskata Wannabe Elite Explorer Renton, wa 2004 XLT Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 29 Vehicle Specs	Thanks, took a rookie like me about 3 hours. Had to take all the panels off and grinding with the dremel took forever!!! [IMG][/IMG]Mod complete!!! __________________ 04 explorer XLT--100xxx mi.--telescopic steering wheel--20% tint--avs visors--Spyder l.e.d. Tail lights--8000K h.i.d.'s--weathertech floor liners--Stage 1+2 intake--green l.e.d dome lights/purple (UV) puddle lights--painted black grille+inside head and corner lights--Pioneer AVH--P4400bh-- TBI gasket switch--200amp DC power alternator-- Big 3--

10-31-2012, 06:58 PM	#58
orthoguy Elite Explorer Grand Rapids, Michigan 2002 Limited 4X4 V6 Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 30 Vehicle Specs	Great post! I ran out to my EX to see if I had it....I don't I wonder what models have this? Mine is a 2002 EX Limited with every option! Thanks again!

11-01-2012, 02:14 PM	#59
College Student Elite Explorer Indinapolis, IN '03 EB Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,189 Vehicle Specs	Sorry for no one posting. From what I've seen the only explorers with this option are those who have done it them selves. Honestly I did it and almost never use it. It only moves when I'm just trying to relax. __________________ Mods: 265/70/17 ; Tow Hooks; Telescoping Steering Wheel; Kenwood DDX616; Class III/IV Hitch

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Project X = Power Steering with AGR Pump	Tbars4	Under the Hood	111	12-11-2012 09:43 AM
2002 Ford Explorer column shift lever cracked off in my hand!	sharon1962	Stock 2002 - 2005 Explorers	27	04-07-2012 03:46 PM
99 Explorer steering column smoke!!!!!	mableton99	Stock 1995 - 2001 Explorers	3	01-23-2010 09:14 AM
Ford Fearful for Explorer's Reputation	Stephen	Ford Industry News	23	08-26-2000 11:00 PM
How deep is Ford in?	Stephen	Ford Industry News	2	08-26-2000 12:14 PM