Collapsible steering column
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Collapsible steering column
Hello people, this is my first post here. I have a 54 F-100 that’s going through the typical frame off restoration. Trying to keep things relatively stock except for a few safety upgrades.
I was working on the steering box today and got to looking at the solid steering shaft. I suppose in an accident that shaft could go right through your chest and game over.
Is that a reason people add after market steering columns like ididit? Are those collapsible in an accident? Do they use a different steering shaft? Your experiences and advice will be helpful. Thank you, John
I was working on the steering box today and got to looking at the solid steering shaft. I suppose in an accident that shaft could go right through your chest and game over.
Is that a reason people add after market steering columns like ididit? Are those collapsible in an accident? Do they use a different steering shaft? Your experiences and advice will be helpful. Thank you, John
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 9,622
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From: Wentzville, MO
First off: Welcome to FTE JNye 
To the best of my knowledge (someone will jump in if I’m wrong) none of the aftermarket columns are collapsible. You’d need a junkyard column to get that.
Most of the folks that are changing their columns are doing so because they are changing their steering gear/suspension to such things as at Toyota power steering box, series 400 box from CPP, a Mustang II, Volarie, Jag, Crown Vic or the many other front suspensions installed in our F1s & F100s.
Yes, the steering shaft (steering gear & pitman arm too) is removed and the new column takes it’s place. The new column is installed using rag joints or U joints between the steering gear (or rack and pinion) and the column.
To the best of my knowledge (someone will jump in if I’m wrong) none of the aftermarket columns are collapsible. You’d need a junkyard column to get that.
Most of the folks that are changing their columns are doing so because they are changing their steering gear/suspension to such things as at Toyota power steering box, series 400 box from CPP, a Mustang II, Volarie, Jag, Crown Vic or the many other front suspensions installed in our F1s & F100s.
Yes, the steering shaft (steering gear & pitman arm too) is removed and the new column takes it’s place. The new column is installed using rag joints or U joints between the steering gear (or rack and pinion) and the column.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
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From: Austin
Hey JNye,
Welcome Aboard! Show us some pics of your truck when
you get a chance & tell us a little about it. We replaced our steering
column with an Ididit as the stock steering on these old trucks can be down right scary
in it's normally worn out condition. Our truck would move all over the road without moving the wheel.
The Toyota steering box fits in virtually the same place as stock & is a nice modern unit.
Good to see another truck being saved up there in Utah!
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Welcome Aboard! Show us some pics of your truck when
you get a chance & tell us a little about it. We replaced our steering
column with an Ididit as the stock steering on these old trucks can be down right scary
in it's normally worn out condition. Our truck would move all over the road without moving the wheel.
The Toyota steering box fits in virtually the same place as stock & is a nice modern unit.
Good to see another truck being saved up there in Utah!
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,094
Likes: 4,688
From: Burbank, WA
Welcome to the forum! Your concerns for safety are well founded. The solid steering shaft can act like a spear through the chest in the wrong circumstances. However, with the steering box far behind the axle centerline, it's not in the direct line of impact of a frontal collision and is less likely to hurt you that way than having your body impact the steering wheel directly in a crash without proper 3 point restraint.
What BJ said is correct, in that changing the column is more a result of changing something else, rather than adding it to the stock steering box. Aftermarket columns are available in a collapsible style from Ididit, but most of them are not. The collapsability can be added into the design with a collapsable shaft between the column and the steering gear, which is how the OEM typically does it. Another way to attain a level of safety is to have U-joints and angles in the shaft that would give in the event of a compression, rather than push toward you.
https://www.ididitinc.com/i-25048740...tegory:1310139
Slip Shaft Kit (No Universal Joints) - FR1856 - 577 - 5874
What BJ said is correct, in that changing the column is more a result of changing something else, rather than adding it to the stock steering box. Aftermarket columns are available in a collapsible style from Ididit, but most of them are not. The collapsability can be added into the design with a collapsable shaft between the column and the steering gear, which is how the OEM typically does it. Another way to attain a level of safety is to have U-joints and angles in the shaft that would give in the event of a compression, rather than push toward you.
https://www.ididitinc.com/i-25048740...tegory:1310139
Slip Shaft Kit (No Universal Joints) - FR1856 - 577 - 5874
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
FoMoCo collapsible steering columns: 1968 and later passenger cars, 1980 and later F100/350, Bronco & Econoline.
Ranger/Bronco II/Aerostar/Explorer and etc vehicles that were introduced after 1980.
Ranger/Bronco II/Aerostar/Explorer and etc vehicles that were introduced after 1980.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,798
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From: Mason City
In 56 they changed to a dished steering wheel . I remember reading somewhere that in 56 that helped turn the steering column into sort of an energy absorbing device.The idea being that during a collision causing a body to be thrown forward, the chest would hit the outside of the steering wheel distributing the force over a larger area as opposed to getting thrown into the horn button. If that is all true I do not think I would want to be the crash test dummy. I am just happy being a normal dummy.😉
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,168
Likes: 5,207
From: Central PA
In 56 they changed to a dished steering wheel . I remember reading somewhere that in 56 that helped turn the steering column into sort of an energy absorbing device.The idea being that during a collision causing a body to be thrown forward, the chest would hit the outside of the steering wheel distributing the force over a larger area as opposed to getting thrown into the horn button. If that is all true I do not think I would want to be the crash test dummy. I am just happy being a normal dummy.😉
And that is why the 56 column is a few inches shorter than the 53-55 column.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,088
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From: Brentwood, TN
This is like arranging deck chairs on the Titanic...if you are concerned about vehicular safety then don't start with a vintage truck. There have been other discussions on this topic in the past years and many aspects of these trucks that are not "up to code" were discussed. Seating, hard dash, safety restraints, headrests, fuel tank inside the passenger compartment, back window too close to occupants heads, the list goes on and on. I don't want to minimize the need for safety but in the mid-fifties when these trucks were built safety was keeping the rubber on the road and between the lines.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
The deep dish steering wheel was part of the Life Saving features in the 1956 Ford trucks which included a different striker plate with a cover on it to keep the door latched in an accident, and optional seat belts.
And that is why the 56 column is a few inches shorter than the 53-55 column.
And that is why the 56 column is a few inches shorter than the 53-55 column.
Can you imagine what would happen if your noggin struck that horn ring? You may end up looking like Rondo Hatton, the most gruesome of all Hollywood actors.
1956 Ford passenger cars had an optional safety package that included a padded dash and sun visors, lap seat belts (the metal to webbing "airplane" type).
The package didn't sell worth a hoot and so it went bye-bye after 1956.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,094
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From: Burbank, WA
Here's a Ford safety video made in 1956 discussing all of the items brought up here, safety steering wheel, seat belts, door latch and strikers, wrecks and crash dummies, etc. It's worth a look.
Some of us old guys may recognize the video host, a young Art Fleming, who later was the original host of 'Jeopardy!' back in the 60's.
Some of us old guys may recognize the video host, a young Art Fleming, who later was the original host of 'Jeopardy!' back in the 60's.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 778
From: Simi Valley, CA
Here's a Ford safety video made in 1956 discussing all of the items brought up here, safety steering wheel, seat belts, door latch and strikers, wrecks and crash dummies, etc. It's worth a look.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3ZnrHGRvE8
Some of us old guys may recognize the video host, a young Art Fleming, who later was the original host of 'Jeopardy!' back in the 60's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3ZnrHGRvE8
Some of us old guys may recognize the video host, a young Art Fleming, who later was the original host of 'Jeopardy!' back in the 60's.
He also looks heavier than the Jeopardy Fleming.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,094
Likes: 4,688
From: Burbank, WA
The guy in the picture above is not Art Fleming. He's a Ford engineer showing off how safe their products are. Art is interviewing him. Watch the video and you'll see.
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Thank you for all the good responses. A lot of interesting points. I agree it won’t be like a current car, safety wise. The steering column worry is probably overblown, I was more thinking of Ralph Nader and the Corsair. As one response pointed out the location of the steering box farther back plus the engine being there should help. I suppose as it will be mostly stock, it won’t be running 80 mph either. I was and still am planning to install as good quality seat belts as possible. As the video mentioned, staying in the vehicle during the crash is most important.
We milk cows for a living and have quite a bit of modern machinery with cabs and roll over protection. The manufacturers are all pretty emphatic about seat belt use.
Again thanks for your help. I am very much enjoying learning from you all.
We milk cows for a living and have quite a bit of modern machinery with cabs and roll over protection. The manufacturers are all pretty emphatic about seat belt use.
Again thanks for your help. I am very much enjoying learning from you all.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 535
Likes: 41
From: Scotland
I learned something too from this. I haven't bought a steering column yet but I did think the Ididit column was collapsible, I'm sure I saw a Youtube video where they showed the manufacture of it including the diamond shape cutouts on the shaft. But it must have been an even higher cost option I don't think I'll bother with!
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