Cutting down steering wheel

[Jolby]

I am thinking about cutting down my steering wheel since I have power steering and I am switching over to Silverado seats with the built in seatbelts. Wondering if this is something I should take on or just buy a new one. I have a brand new steering column that came with the 9 bolt adapter but I modified the horn contact to work with the horn ring on my deluxe wheel. Thoughts or suggestions. Thanks

[racecougar]

theastronaut did a great job on documenting how he did it. It starts at post #211:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=474456&page=9

[theastronaut]

^ Beat me to it ^ MalibuKasey built one too, but he found a 15" boat steering wheel and just swapped rims. Much less welding, reshaping, and filling with epoxy. I would have done the same but couldn't find a 15" wheel with the right grip style.

He has a few pics on page three, post number 55.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ttercup&page=3

[Jolby]

Jumped right into and cut up the wheel today. I think "so far, so good", will work on building up the gaps maybe tomorrow or Monday.

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by Jolby

Jumped right into and cut up the wheel today. I think "so far, so good", will work on building up the gaps maybe tomorrow or Monday.

Looks good, and I like that you built a jig to keep everything lined up. I didn't and I had to do some tweaking that caused more cutting/welding and filler work.

[aerotruk63]

That looks great!

[61_FL_Apache]

Subscribed.. I have my original wheel too minus the center parts.. I would like to do this too!

Your is looking great!!

[Reyals Bemus]

I'd love to do this to mine as well. Question: the steering wheel outer shell doesn't crack when bent into a smaller radius?

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by Reyals Bemus

I'd love to do this to mine as well. Question: the steering wheel outer shell doesn't crack when bent into a smaller radius?

Mine did when I re-arched it, just ground out the cracks and filled them with epoxy.

[shawno72]

Sub'd great work guys!

[sambudo]

sweet job

[1963c-10]

Nice work....

[ChefCy]

Nice! Looks like you know what your doing. I might have to drop by and visit and see this up close

Im in Stafford.
I wanted to do this but since I am welded(ly?) challenged i went an found an impala wheel.

[earl84]

Very nice, this is one of my future projects.

[supercharged]

Any pics of the finished product?

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by supercharged

Any pics of the finished product?

Here's my 15" in primer.

[62bagger]

Because I am tall I was having leg room issues and wanted a smaller steering wheel. I also did not have the budget to have my wheel cut down. I found Jolby's post and thought all I can do is mess it up. It turned out ok. I know where all the flaws are but I like the result so far. I need to get the paint matched to the column. If someone knows the white paint codes for the 62 that would be appreciated.

[62bagger]

If you do not like sanding you might not want to start this project. It takes time and patience. Not something I am great at. Lots of sanding.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by 62bagger

Because I am tall I was having leg room issues and wanted a smaller steering wheel. I also did not have the budget to have my wheel cut down. I found Jolby's post and thought all I can do is mess it up. It turned out ok. I know where all the flaws are but I like the result so far. I need to get the paint matched to the column. If someone knows the white paint codes for the 62 that would be appreciated.

Pure White 521.

Nice job on the wheel.

[joesscamaro]

Looks good from the pictures! I'll be doing this to mine soon!

[SkinnyG]

Nicely done!

I bent 1" 16ga round tubing around the dropped center of a cut down 15" Cavalier wheel, which gave me a 14.5" outside diameter. Blended it all in with JB Weld putty (a wet finger helps blend it all in), and like you did, sand sand sand sand and paint.

[62bagger]

Your wheel turned out real nice as well. There is a ton of sanding with this project. When you think you have it finished you notice spots that need more attention. I am happy with the finished result.

[62bagger]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

Nicely done!

I bent 1" 16ga round tubing around the dropped center of a cut down 15" Cavalier wheel, which gave me a 14.5" outside diameter. Blended it all in with JB Weld putty (a wet finger helps blend it all in), and like you did, sand sand sand sand and paint.

I looked at your video on the build of your wheel when I did research for this project but I didn't think I could get the tubbing bent in a nice flat ring like yours.

[SkinnyG]

It was easier than you might think, but you'd really want a 10' length.

On the other hand, the steel hoop is pretty cold now, as we're heading into winter. I might like a cover of some kind on it.

[62bagger]

I like the fact that it has a larger diameter than the original wheel. I agree that it might be cold in the winter.
Your truck looks great. Nice build.