This is why you upgrade steering shaft

[66ALRIDE]

I bought this wrecked 74 a few years ago. I tried to find an article about how the driver was but was never able to. Someone did tell me he survived it though. These pictures should be a good reason why you should install a collapsible lower steering shaft!

 

[ared77]

Yikes! Great advice.

 

[399strokerEB]

I'm surprised that seats not bent, must have been a small guy.

 

[Speedrdr]

it certainly gives pause for sober thought!

Ray

 

[Ether]

Wow! I wonder if the “crimple” accordion style is sufficient or if it should have a slip section also.

 

[Ol'Blue]

Harsh eye opener for sure. Thanks for the message.

 

[66ALRIDE]

I know this one took a hard hit, but I’d use a slip style. That’s just my personal preference.

 

[DirtDonk]

The accordion one in the picture is most likely just a rubber boot over a standard slip joint. At least that’s what it’s usually installed.
The fancy crimple/puzzle/pastry cut style part that you see often in older pictures, was just the outer casing of the steering column.
So when the column was long enough, and deemed of sufficient danger, not only was the shaft made collapsible, but the column housing was collapsible as well.
Both very good ideas!

 

[DirtDonk]

Those pictures also make a good argument for moving the battery positive terminal to the inside.
Away from the body metal!

 

[ford man]

Even with a collapsible shaft some one my size would still feel it as far as it shoved it in to the bronco but the other way I would be shish kebabed

 

[DirtDonk]

Just for the old internal information bank, I'd love/hate to know the full details of the crash.
Such as, what hit it, or did it hit. How fast. What other circumstances. That kind of stuff.
Sure looks like it was in nice condition. Would hate to find out it was practically it's maiden voyage after a resto job.

Paul

 

[66ALRIDE]

Well I there was wood splinters all in the front frame horn. I tried to look back and find the pictures someone sent me. The pictures shows it sitting in the middle of 2 lanes of a four lane road and I’m thinking they said he hit a telephone pole. It did hit exactly on the left front frame horn and the frame took the hit.

 

[ba123]

Wowser! That had to hurt!

 

[66ALRIDE]

i feel sorry for whoever it was. But at least it teaches us to upgrade on safety.

 

[nvrstuk]

I catch so much SH*T from people (here and FB) for saying high back buckets both frt and rear, FULL cage and collapsible strg columns are in the top few for safety mod's on an EB as so many people(usually newbies) ask about.

Mind if I steal the pic so I can show people this actually happens?

Like Paul said, buy a battery (27F or just a 27-whichever has the postive term towards the center of the Bronco) so when that fender is BARELY crinkled you don't have a fire happening... Seen it. I changed mine back in about '78 I think when I needed my first new battery. Ran duals for my 8274 I got in March of '78 and did the same on the DS so that wouldn't be an issue either.

 

[ba123]

My batt is flipped but I have no idea on columns. Do all the new tilt columns collapse properly? I bought the full kit from Tom’s with the telescoping lower shaft.

This one that’s made by Flaming River.
https://tomsoffroad.com/parts/66-77-ford-bronco-black-floor-shift-tilt-steering-column-kit

That good or should I reconsider? About to put it in.

 

[66ALRIDE]

I catch so much SH*T from people (here and FB) for saying high back buckets both frt and rear, FULL cage and collapsible strg columns are in the top few for safety mod's on an EB as so many people(usually newbies) ask about.

Mind if I steal the pic so I can show people this actually happens?

Like Paul said, buy a battery (27F or just a 27-whichever has the postive term towards the center of the Bronco) so when that fender is BARELY crinkled you don't have a fire happening... Seen it. I changed mine back in about '78 I think when I needed my first new battery. Ran duals for my 8274 I got in March of '78 and did the same on the DS so that wouldn't be an issue either.

Go ahead if we don’t learn for our own or others then it’s a mute point.

 

[66ALRIDE]

My batt is flipped but I have no idea on columns. Do all the new tilt columns collapse properly? I bought the full kit from Tom’s with the telescoping lower shaft.

This one that’s made by Flaming River.
https://tomsoffroad.com/parts/66-77-ford-bronco-black-floor-shift-tilt-steering-column-kit

That good or should I reconsider? About to put it in.

The telescoping lower shaft is what you need.

 

[nvrstuk]

Yup, design the overlap with as much slip as possible between the upper and lower shafts.

 

[DirtDonk]

I still don't understand why anyone (even on FB!) would give anyone a hard time for pointing out pertinent safety upgrade details.
Boggles the mind!

Paul