I asked this on the chat site a while back, and people seemed to think it would be a better question for the forum, so here goes. Has anyone thought through and/or done modifications to their stock steering column to make it collapsible? I've seen trucks built in the '70s with tube-in-tube steering shafts that were keyed, and pined with shear pins. That way in the event of an impact the shear pins would break and the shafts would slide together. Thought something like that might work on our trucks too and would make them safer. I've been told the '56 steering wheels were designed to take the impact w/o letting you get impaled, but I've got a '55 Anyway, let me know your thoughts even if you haven't done it (and I realize that the column tube will probabaly need to be modified as well). Thanks!

 

My intermediate shaft is of the collapsible type you mentioned. Its a double "D" tube in tube. It is the stock intermediate shaft from the 82 Toyo 4x4 that I got the box from. I didn't intentionally build it with the collapsible feature but it is a nice addition.

I think the big three also experimented with columns that had a section designed to collapse. the section looked like expanded metal near the base of the column. Most early 90's and earlier GM and Mopar columns are basically the same ( I think Saginaw is the manufacturer) Ford are different

Having the collapsible column might not help too much in our trucks due to the angle of the columns which are more towards the verticle as opposed to later vehicles which are stretched out and the column is more horizontal
In any event I hope to never find out (knocking on my head in place of wood)

Bobby

 

I think Borgeson or Ididit offer a collapsible middle section...

 

Dan, That's interesting to hear you ask this. I was worried about the steering column, too.

Rob, That's good info. I'll have to look at ididit's stuff.

 

Borgeson does indeed make a collapsible shaft.

http://www.borgeson.com/CollaspShaft.htm

 

Are you guys planning on running a demo derby at 90 MPH? The amount of frame and steel on the front of an old Ford truck will probably be more than enough protection from a wreck. If you're that wooried, then get a seat belt kit that attaches a shoulder strap as well. I remember when I was 14, we got hired to clean off an old piece of property, because the owner supposedly died (hired by a realtor). Well, we found out the hard way he was alive and well. He took his 75-77 F-350 4x4 that had a custom channel beam front cow catcher, and proceeded to test out the bumper on my dads 55 F-350. His frame got bent, and we got a few dents where the channel hit the grille and hood. I would not hesitate to put my precious cargo in an old Ford truck (with seat belts added) provided it was a reliable, structurally sound vehicle. I would feel better with them in an old Ford than one of these new piles o shiznit running around.

 

wmjoe1953, it's not so much as the structure of theses old vehicles, but the contents in the cab; the passenger(s); and especially the driver.

They weren't built for driver safety.

That's why todays cars are built with both collapsible steering and crumple zones.

To protect the driver (and passengers).

Bottom line is that by todays standards, these old vehicles would never pass NHTSA standards.

But I do plan to keep my death trap.

 

standards smanshards. I know what you're saying. I have extensive experience in the field of automobile accidents (not mine). Also, I now work for a company that builds FAA certified private aircraft. I would still feel safer in an old "death trap."