An amazing discovery....

whocares · Nov 17, 2010

Ok, so I have had this 89 BII for almost a year. First Ford I have ever owned, and the first RBV I have ever driven. Haven't driven it a lot, been in the garage mostly while I have been re-doing the interior and other things.

Basically since its a second vehicle I have the luxury of screwing things up on it at my leisure. So at some point I gutted the interior, I bought new carpet, new seats, console....lined the floor, new headliner, blah blah blah.

Well the few times I have driven it, I wasn't real pleased with the angle of the steering wheel. No big deal, I'll just keep an eye out for a tilt column. So I have been watching for one to pop up, been reading some of the tech on how to change one so I would be ready when one came available.

Tonight I'm crammed under the dash (interior is still out) trying to run some switch wires for the electric fan I just put on. I dropped the wire strippers for about the 5th time, finally hitting myself directly in the eye socket.

So while I lay there wishing silent but swift death to the BII that's made my life hell and my eye socket hurt....I look up...and I see a small cutout along side the steering column.

I stare at it for a little while as I contemplate whether I need stitches or just another beer and finally realize I have tilt steering. I now know what Isaac Newton must have felt like over that whole gravity discovery thing.

Some unknown person before me had broken off the tilt lever. When my eye heals and I'm done with this beer I'm going to need a tilt lever. Anyone got one they want to sell?

Cliff notes: I need a tilt lever. And maybe a stitch.

84bluebronco2 · Nov 17, 2010

That is quite honestly one of the best RBV discoveries ever lol. Even if you can't find one, you should be able to fab something up. Good luck with your eye and that beer =D

whocares · Nov 17, 2010

I just got out the little piece of the lever that was broken off in there. Looks like the lever just screws in. I can make something work but I think I would rather have the actual lever. Right now I can tilt it with a screwdriver. I love my new tilt steering column.

RUTH · Nov 17, 2010

ill see if mine has one, if it does ill just give it too you, i never tilt me wheel and didnt even know i could lol.. i might not have tilt though i geuss

whocares · Nov 17, 2010

RUTH said:
ill see if mine has one, if it does ill just give it too you, i never tilt me wheel and didnt even know i could lol.. i might not have tilt though i geuss

That would be great, just let me know. The only way to find out if you have tilt steering is to get under the dash with a nice big pair of wire strippers....

EDIT: I found that LMC truck has them for 9.95 plus shipping, I'm going to order one. According to their site 89-90 columns are diff than 84-88 columns. I appreciate the offer though Ruth, thanks a lot.

country0001 · Nov 18, 2010

Gotta love discoveries like, its kinda like finding out that your electric t case was unplugged and thats why 4wd won't work.

r1hatman · Nov 18, 2010

Classic

99RangerKrazy · Nov 18, 2010

That's hilarious. I love it.

But don't feel bad: it took my like four years of driving to figure out that the little switch on the rearview mirror was for when driving at night and people are behind you....that was an amazing discovery!

whocares · Nov 18, 2010

r1hatman said:
Classic

It could have been worse, if I had actually bought and installed a tilt column and then found this out...... I cant really say what I would have done. Probably hide the old column and never tell anyone about it.

On a side note, I replaced the hatch struts when I put my new hatch on. I used one of the old struts on the hood and got rid of the prop rod. So yeah, I'm feeling pretty good about that at least!

84bluebronco2 · Nov 18, 2010

I wish I read this earlier today... I just got through sending the old B2 to the scrap yard in the sky and it had four good struts from the hatch. I could have made a self lifting hood.....

4.0B2 · Nov 18, 2010

i have a tilt column and NEVER use it...

whocares · Nov 18, 2010

84bluebronco2 said:
I wish I read this earlier today... I just got through sending the old B2 to the scrap yard in the sky and it had four good struts from the hatch. I could have made a self lifting hood.....

You could have! Both of the old hatch struts were too weak to hold up the old hatch. I just used one of them and the mounts from the hatch to mount it under the hood. One is plenty strong enough to open and hold the hood up.

4.0B2- I tend to use the tilt feature quite a bit. I like the wheel kind of low for driving and need to raise it to get out comfortably.

4.0B2 · Nov 18, 2010

i keep mine straight all the time, i'm only 130 lbs and 5ft4in so no need in tilting the wheel lol. however, i did see on the other b2 i'm looking at buying that the tilt rod broke off just like the yours. kinda made me laugh a lil lol

whocares · Nov 18, 2010

4.0B2 said:
i keep mine straight all the time, i'm only 130 lbs and 5ft4in so no need in tilting the wheel lol. however, i did see on the other b2 i'm looking at buying that the tilt rod broke off just like the yours. kinda made me laugh a lil lol

At least you noticed it was a tilt column! It took me way too long to figure it out on mine. I'm looking forward to my new tilt lever arriving though, I'll be tilting the wheel like nobody's business!

4.0B2 · Nov 18, 2010

It's like a new toy. As small of a deal as it seems.... When it's new, it's a BIG deal. Just like when I figured out my new headunit has Bluetooth... I don't even talk on the phone but I found reasons to all people when driving lol

An amazing discovery....

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