Is a collapsible Steering Shaft necessary

[Lethal Tendencies]

Going to be installing a new aftermarket steering column. Been reading threads on the steering shaft being collapsible. But also read that it has 2 pins holding it together. So what is the point of it being collapsible if it can't slide without drilling out pins and hit it with a hammer? Thanks

[Grumpy old man]

Safety , in 68 federal law mandated collapsible columns , side marker lights, no flip seats etc, etc , the collapsible column worked by shear force to snap the pins and prevent a direct shaft to your chest in an accident , The 67 shafts are one piece and people died from hitting the solid steering column shaft . 1960's technology .

the flip seats that weren't solid mounted would launch people thru the rubber gasket windshields , look at the cars that received these safety measures first in the 60's

[chewychevy67]

As I restore my 67 I am trying to leave it original but some changes such as a collapsible column are available in tilt and nontilt and don't compromise the original look in these trucks. Imo it's necessary if you plan on driving it lots.

[sick472]

The 2 collapsible steering shafts that I have seen (72 C10 and 74 Challenger) had plastic melted into the through-holes to keep it together for assembly purposes, not pins. My friend push/pulled to hard while removing his column from his Challenger and sheared the plastic. Not a big deal as it was pretty tight anyways and after it was re-installed...it can't go anywhere and is still collapsible.

Now, my 67 F@rd has a one piece shaft and they call it "the harpoon". It's about 5 feet long and will get you on the chest if you have a bad head-on Collison.