Collapsible Steering Column

['63GENIII]

After reading through the post and FB feed on the girl looking for her dad's car, I had a few questions about the collapsible steering columns. That post really got to me for some reason.

I have read about collapsible columns here for a few years now but never really had any idea that they were a safety feature. (take it easy on me, Im a little slow).

Ive known for some time that the column in the '63 isn't stock. Ive always guessed that it was out of a 68 or later truck as it has the little red emergency flasher button on the side.

My question is this; the shaft doesn't seem to be collapsible but it does have an outer sleeve that has an inner shaft that attaches to the rag joint. Is there something that I need to do to make it collapsible? Drilling a weld? Is it supposed to collapse easily or does it need an impact to collapse?

Any help on this is appreciated.

I may be ready to get a good set of retractable, shoulder belts in it too. The lap belts, while technically legal here do about as much as the half lid helmet that I used to wear while riding the Harley. Think my threshold for risk (and exposure of my family to it) is lowering as I get older.

[El Dorado Jim]

sub'd

[cypressbog]

IIRC there is a sheer pin that breaks and allows the column to colapse after "X" number of pounds of pressure.

[richards72chevy]

I had an uncle killed in the late 1970's his 66 was hit head on by a little Fiat.The steering column pushed the steering wheel in his chest. I think in today's​ day and age of distracted driving LED lights are a good upgrade

[WyattTX]

New after market collumns are collapsable. And if you can make one fit, 73-94 gm collumns are too. If I were to retrofit one, I would try to get a pre 1985 collumn, so you dont end up with two wiper and bright switches.

[truckster]

Federal law mandated collapsible steering columns starting in 1968.

[WyattTX]

Originally Posted by truckster

Federal law mandated collapsible steering columns starting in 1968.

Thanks, that is interesting. I guess you could use any collumn made between 1968 and 1984.

[Ol Blue K20]

On our trucks it's the intermediate shaft that's collapsible.

[cypressbog]

69-72 trucks have collapseable intermediate shafts.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by cypressbog

69-72 trucks have collapseable intermediate shafts.

I stand corrected

[cypressbog]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

I stand corrected

Not really. I was wondering if the Federal mandate was for cars, then the trucks?

[WyattTX]

Just out of curiosity has anyone here put a 73+ collumn in a 60-66 or 67-72, and make the original steering wheel work on the newer collumn?

[El Dorado Jim]

I would put a 69-72 column in your truck, they look alot better than the 73 and newer ones, I have some of these 73 ,74 trucks...the column doesn't mount as cleanly to the dash...columns dont look that good ..

[WyattTX]

Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim

I would put a 69-72 column in your truck, they look alot better than the 73 and newer ones, I have some of these 73 ,74 trucks...the column doesn't mount as cleanly to the dash...columns dont look that good ..

You are right, that chunkier plastic design on the 73+ collumns can look a little off in older vehicles.

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by WyattTX

You are right, that chunkier plastic design on the 73+ collumns can look a little off in older vehicles.

look in the parts for sale board for a column, do you need an automatic column or 4 spd/plain column or three on the tree? do you have many junkyards in your area?

[LockDoc]

-
On the seat belts, I put aftermarket three points in my '67 Panel Truck and they work really good.

LockDoc

[WyattTX]

Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim

look in the parts for sale board for a column, do you need an automatic column or 4 spd/plain column or three on the tree? do you have many junkyards in your area?

I am not in any need of a steering collumn right now. Reading this thread just sparked my curiosity of parts interchangeability, and retro fitting. Thanks for the info though.

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by cypressbog

69-72 trucks have collapseable intermediate shafts.

This is what I was wondering. I have what I "think" is a 68 - 72 column with the little red emergency flasher tab - button that sticks out of the right side of the column but Im not exactly sure since it was in the truck when I bought it.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

This is what I was wondering. I have what I "think" is a 68 - 72 column with the little red emergency flasher tab - button that sticks out of the right side of the column but Im not exactly sure since it was in the truck when I bought it.

Post a pic of the intermediate shaft. The one that's between the column and the rag joint.

['63GENIII]

This is how mine fits in the '63. Im fairly sure its from the 68 - 72 era. Any confirmation of this is welcome.

FWIW, I think it fits the mounts pretty well and looks like it belongs there.

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Post a pic of the intermediate shaft. The one that's between the column and the rag joint.

Hey Dale, after looking a little closer, it does look to be collapsible with an outer sleeve and inner shaft. I looked a little closer and noticed a pin that was about 3/16 diameter that kept the two halves together.

['63GENIII]

Man I gotta do something about those inner fenders!

[Palf70Step]

I did my swap for several reasons, most because the stock column was really messed up and my custom steering wheel did not fit the turn signal canceling cam right. I picked up a floor shift column and intermediate shaft from a 70 C10. Solved my problem and also got rid of the 1 piece shaft. It was pretty much a bolt in. I had to redo the wires for the turn-signal switch, but not real hard.

AS far as I know, you probably could keep the original housing and just swap the shafts between the 2. I liked the later column for mine.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

Hey Dale, after looking a little closer, it does look to be collapsible with an outer sleeve and inner shaft. I looked a little closer and noticed a pin that was about 3/16 diameter that kept the two halves together.

That's the collapsible shaft. That pin is plastic too.

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I did my swap for several reasons, most because the stock column was really messed up and my custom steering wheel did not fit the turn signal canceling cam right. I picked up a floor shift column and intermediate shaft from a 70 C10. Solved my problem and also got rid of the 1 piece shaft. It was pretty much a bolt in. I had to redo the wires for the turn-signal switch, but not real hard.

AS far as I know, you probably could keep the original housing and just swap the shafts between the 2. I liked the later column for mine.

I like the later column as well. I do need to figure out the flasher switch though. Used to be, Id push the flasher in and the horn would lock "on". Took the horn out and don't have that problem now.

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

That's the collapsible shaft. That pin is plastic too.

Thanks Dale! But plastic? Never would have figured that. Makes perfect sense though. Wouldn't want my sternum having to shear a steel pin.