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Energy-absorbing Steering Column

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Rylic
Senior Member


Joined: 18 Mar 2006
Posts: 240
Location: Jackson, TN
Energy-absorbing Steering Column

Has anyone done a conversion on their 'lane, from the long shaft to a collapsible steering column? I'm looking for a column, and I was wondering if any of you guys might have used a Mustang column instead of a Fairlane column. There's a Mustangs and Fords article that goes over the conversion, and it says you can swap a 68-69 Ford/Mercury column into an earlier car, but it doesn't specify whether it has to be out of the same model of car.

My main concern are mounting points and column/shaft lengths. I would need the bracket to stabilize it at the firewall, and the dash mount. The mustang columns appear to mount differently at the dash, but I'm wondering if I can use my existing column bracket and use the mustang firewall bracket.

http://www.mustangandfords.com/howto/30247_collapsible_steering_column/index.html
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1967 Fairlane 500, 302 V8, Toploader transmission. Maybe I'll eventually get it on the road.

Post Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:10 pm 
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CompactFairlane
Member


Joined: 25 Jul 2009
Posts: 87
Location: Arizona
Re: Energy-absorbing Steering Column

quote:
Originally posted by Rylic:
Has anyone done a conversion on their 'lane, from the long shaft to a collapsible steering column? I'm looking for a column, and I was wondering if any of you guys might have used a Mustang column instead of a Fairlane column. There's a Mustangs and Fords article that goes over the conversion, and it says you can swap a 68-69 Ford/Mercury column into an earlier car, but it doesn't specify whether it has to be out of the same model of car.

My main concern are mounting points and column/shaft lengths. I would need the bracket to stabilize it at the firewall, and the dash mount. The mustang columns appear to mount differently at the dash, but I'm wondering if I can use my existing column bracket and use the mustang firewall bracket.

http://www.mustangandfords.com/howto/30247_collapsible_steering_column/index.html


I would think that any 1968-69 Fairlane/Torino/Montego/Falcon column is essentially the same animal.

Post Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:24 pm 
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IceLane
Senior Member


Joined: 01 Mar 2008
Posts: 114
Location: Independence Twp, MI

I think there's a lot of interchangability here. I know, for instance, that you can bolt a tilt column out of a 71-73 Mustang into a 68-71 Torino. You might have to do some work on the I shaft going back into the earlier Fairlanes, but I'd imagine that they are similar.

If you like I can take some photos and measurements of the 1970/1 Torino column in my basement tonight.
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Kyle Lehrmann

Post Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:29 am 
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CompactFairlane
Member


Joined: 25 Jul 2009
Posts: 87
Location: Arizona

quote:
Originally posted by IceLane:
I think there's a lot of interchangability here. I know, for instance, that you can bolt a tilt column out of a 71-73 Mustang into a 68-71 Torino. You might have to do some work on the I shaft going back into the earlier Fairlanes, but I'd imagine that they are similar.

If you like I can take some photos and measurements of the 1970/1 Torino column in my basement tonight.


Thanks for the heads-up. Also if switching out steering columns; it would be a simple matter of using pretty much any 1968-80 Ford small car (Granada, Maverick, Falcon, Fairlane, Comet, etc) steering gear and calling it good to avoid customizing a 1967 on down piece. Smile

Post Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:36 am 
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Rylic
Senior Member


Joined: 18 Mar 2006
Posts: 240
Location: Jackson, TN

Pictures would be great!

As far as the steering gear, I am going to install the rack and pinion sold by Dearborn Classics, so I'm not sure what I'm going to run into yet.
_________________
1967 Fairlane 500, 302 V8, Toploader transmission. Maybe I'll eventually get it on the road.

Post Fri Aug 21, 2009 9:41 am 
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scotta66gt
Senior Member


Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 396
Location: Arlington VA
Stang too short

Howdy. I understand the Mustang column is about 2" shorter than the 'Lane. I'd get (and am looking for) a 67 power steering column and box then getting it rebuilt as a manual to get the faster steering and safety.
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66 Fairlane GT
Daily Driver / Survivor

Post Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:12 am 
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steve
Senior Member


Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 220
Location: ontario

I am using one from a 68 Mustang in my 64. I needed a shorter column when I put in my integral power steering box and I didn't want to cut my stock one. It wasn't a direct bolt on at the bottom of the dash but it wasn't hard to make it work.
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Steve 64 S/C big brakes 8.8 rear 289 lentech AOD, strut front suspension

Post Fri Aug 21, 2009 3:16 pm 
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IceLane
Senior Member


Joined: 01 Mar 2008
Posts: 114
Location: Independence Twp, MI

Here are some photos of my '70 floor shift column. It's 31" from the rag joint flange to the steering wheel mating surface.




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Kyle Lehrmann

Post Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:40 am 
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Rylic
Senior Member


Joined: 18 Mar 2006
Posts: 240
Location: Jackson, TN

Thanks, that helps a lot. Looks like it has a different column collar.
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1967 Fairlane 500, 302 V8, Toploader transmission. Maybe I'll eventually get it on the road.

Post Sun Aug 23, 2009 6:07 pm 
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