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collasable steering column

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blk56 Officially Full-On Dubber

217 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#25739
Hello all
I was wondering what the pros and cons would be on modifing your oval steering column so it become a collasable one?
Cheers :bounce:bounce

Pat Officially Full-On Dubber

314 posts · joined Oct 2002 ·

#25741
I want to do this to my bug too. I would imagine the Pros would be: big steel rod NOT going through your chest if you crash, and the only Con I can think of is your car is no longer original.
Ooh, suits you sir!

Che Castro ankle straps

1,945 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#25775
yeah i was thinking of doing this when i do my pan swap, not only for the safety factor but also because you get an ignition/steering lock.
Jon

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#25848
If your going to the trouble then get a Golf series 1 coloum and adapt it as i did into my Orange car. You get all the benefits as well.
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

bugmeister Slammed & Awesome Dubber

89 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#25870
Can you perform it w/o having to use the later model ignition switch and wiper stalks etc.

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#25874
If you want to perform the surgery then i suspose any thing is possible.
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

Che Castro ankle straps

1,945 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#25907
what is better about a golf column?
Jon

Pat Officially Full-On Dubber

314 posts · joined Oct 2002 ·

#25914
You could probably have the collapsible section of a post 68 1500 welded in to your original column. They're a very simple design.
Ooh, suits you sir!

blk56 Officially Full-On Dubber

217 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#25918
Yes that is what I was thinking of doing:vader

penguin ackkkkkk thhhhhpt!

3,383 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#25935
Is there any way to bolt it onto the old section rather than weld? ie: is there enough length to bolt the two lengths together outside the fixed tube under the dash with a sleeve or similar? I just have this vague recollection from somewhere about engineers and Transport authorities having the heebie geebies about welds on steering columns.
'Ah, whatever................'

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#25959
Whats good about the Golf coloum
1. its got a small spline that you can get after market steering wheels for.

2. its got a nice steering lock

3. got high beam dipper switch on the blinker arm

4 got intermitiant wiper switch position

5 got a electric washer switch installed

6 pull on the wiper stork and it washers n wipes 3 times.

7 its neat and looks clean and simple

8 does not rely on the negative wiring system to operate the horn.

9 there CHEAP, and adaptable.

10. forgot to add that each system has its own quick disconnect wiring plug and harness, one for the blinkers, one for the wipers, one for the ignition.

[Edited on 13-2-2003 by vw54]
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

Grey 57 Old Grey Cruiser

2,937 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#26145
Ah live on the edge I say. Leave it stock.
I reckon that your head would be smashed against the windcreen before the steering colum did any damage.

I'd miss that luverly foot operated dipper switch too. For people with big clumsy feet its so cool that it dips the lights every time you push in the clutch😀😀

KruizinKombi Seriously Obsessed Cyber Dubber

3,493 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#26288
penguin, what they don't know won't hurt 'em. Just be careful to make it is AT LEAST as good as stock. I have welded the steering columns on my 4x4 with an arc-welder quite successfully and have tested it to the extreme with no sign of failure yet.

Engineers are only interested in checking that a) you have not introduced any weaknesses into the vehicle, or b) you have not increased the performance of the vehicle, making the stock components insufficient for the new performance levels.
Kruizin Kol

OvalGlen Custom Title Time!

1,361 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#26471
might the golf system which I think uses a couple of Uni joints, make it fit better under the Oval tank.? (I supose anything looks alright after a couple of Join.s....).
I intend to do the improvement to mine "one day".
Regards,Glenn>

penguin ackkkkkk thhhhhpt!

3,383 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#26534
Yeah, I might look at a joint in thte column instead of a weld. I want to have a 'safe' drive, so everything is going to meet requirements (unless they're really over the top). I have a collapsable section from a '68 or '69, so I will get a section attached to the lower half of my '56 'steel spear'. Besides, I don't have a '56 fuel tank, the guy I bought 'step child' from, put a later model tank into it. Mind you, I am contemplatling going back to a '56 and try that reserve handle thing 🙂
'Ah, whatever................'

Herbie Down Under VW club of Victoria

152 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#26549
Grab a 68 column and chuck it in. I have one in my 63 beetle. Jay has one in hers as well. No cutting, welding, modifiying needed at all. And if you put the ivory cover that goes down under the dash board then you will have it looking very orignal. The only way to tell its different is to look under the fuel tank and see the mesh bit underneath. How often do you look under their. NO steering wheels in my face thank you!

penguin ackkkkkk thhhhhpt!

3,383 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#26552
Cheers,
wil see if the whole column fits now, rather than do some butchery.
BTW Herbie, still got those seat bases? I e-mailed you trying to find out where to send the money before Xmas.
Chris (Penguin)
'Ah, whatever................'

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#26555
One of the reasons [only 1] I like the 1968 Beetle is because of the collapsable steering column.. Its NOT that You hit them.. Its when they are pushed out from a collision with something... When the Steering Box gets pushed forward... the steering wheel also goes..They can easily save Your life... and isn't that worth saving?. I know mine is!! :o:thumb
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---