Stock Steering Wheel Whos Keeping Them And Why ?

[special-K]

It's funny how now that steering wheels are made smaller so many think these wheels are huge. They call them school bus wheels,etc. Actually,the stock wheels in these trucks were no larger than most car steering wheels from the '60s on back. few weeks ago I bought a 69-72 steering wheel with no cracks from a guy who specializes in Impalas. He had a sweet assortment of '58-67 Impala wheels and wee compared them all. And guys go nuts over the '59 Impala wheels.
That's what's so cool about GMs. You can swap so many parts around. I have car steering wheels with chrome horn rings,Comfort-Grips,late model truck,as well as N.O.S. and excellent condition 67-72 wheels,and even some vintage aftermarket. You can't have too many,right? They're like dog dish hubcaps...change them according to your mood.

[bollybib]

Really nice pics of stock wheels in this thread.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by special-K

It's funny how now that steering wheels are made smaller so many think these wheels are huge. They call them school bus wheels,etc. Actually,the stock wheels in these trucks were no larger than most car steering wheels from the '60s on back.

Yup, from an era when the only power steering most vehicles had was "Armstrong". Those large-diameter wheels were needed for leverage.

[c10monkey]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

you sell it to me

I personally like the stock wheels (67-68 and 69-72) but I also move my column closer to the dash and put a tilt in to make it more comfortable. I also like comfortgrip and the 3 spoke wood wheels and some of the gm car wheels for our trucks....

What did it take to move your steering column closer to the dash?
How much room did you gain?

[special-K]

Originally Posted by c10monkey

What did it take to move your steering column closer to the dash?
How much room did you gain?

You can move it forward till the cup is t that rubber piece against the instrument cluster. You just collapse the lower column by smacking on the flange that bolts to the rag joint. Do it while removed and not connected to the column so you don't damage the bearings or anything else.

[c10monkey]

Originally Posted by special-K

You can move it forward till the cup is t that rubber piece against the instrument cluster. You just collapse the lower column by smacking on the flange that bolts to the rag joint. Do it while removed and not connected to the column so you don't damage the bearings or anything else.

Great information.... Thanks!

[NewType72]

I'm wanting to go original just having trouble finding a nice black one for a reasonable price

[Steve Hafner]

. . . .

I bought a "new" original type for my 70's restoration, I didn't consider anything else.

I'm trying to keep it as stock as possible ( except for things that make it safer )

. . . .

[special-K]

Originally Posted by NewType72

I'm wanting to go original just having trouble finding a nice black one for a reasonable price

Finding one is the biggest step. Not sure what you consider reasonable,but consider most are cracked,so uncracked wheels are at a premium. So you pay the price. I think $250 for an OEM wheel in excellent condition is reasonable. Also consider,flimsy repro wheels made in China cost bout that much and they crack in just a handful of years. I have a N.O.S. saddle wheel I wouldn't sell for under $500. I paid $325 for it in '91

[NewType72]

The new ones crack that quickly?? They seem to be very nice for being repops. From what I've seen at least
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[NewType72]

And Steve that wheel looks really good on your truck must resist urge to call truck shop immediately
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[Mister-B]

The 67/68 steering wheels are less prone to cracking than the later models. I picked one up on eBay and restored it and painted it myself for about $100 altogether, once you figure in the horn button, horn button mount, paint, etc.


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[Steve Hafner]

Originally Posted by NewType72

And Steve that wheel looks really good on your truck must resist urge to call truck shop immediately
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Thanks . . . mine's been on for about 15 years and no cracks so far.

I replaced it way before I had the truck restored three years ago.

[NewType72]

So Steve is that an OEM wheel or repop? I drive mine daily I don't want cracks in mine.

Mister B. that wheel looks awesome and I even have a few horn buttons already. There's one I'm waiting on but I'd prefer the 69-72 styles more just because its be correct for my truck
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[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by Steve Hafner

Thanks . . . mine's been on for about 15 years and no cracks so far.

I replaced it way before I had the truck restored three years ago.

Have they really been making repro steering wheels for 15 years?

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by NewType72

So Steve is that an OEM wheel or repop? I drive mine daily I don't want cracks in mine.

Mister B. that wheel looks awesome and I even have a few horn buttons already. There's one I'm waiting on but I'd prefer the 69-72 styles more just because its be correct for my truck
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Thanks. I'm all for being as original as possible, but the 69-72 wheels are just way too prone to cracking. I've got a '69 truck, with a 67/68 wheel, and I figure that's a good compromise, where the wheel was used on the same basic model the year prior. Another example is the AM antenna. They are telescopic, and just snap off way too easy. So, I've ordered an AM/FM solid mast that is stock looking from Manes. Another example of something I can replace with a stock looking part, but is less prone to causing me problems down the road
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[NewType72]

I went with a solid mast as well looked a little odd at first but I liked it much better than the p.o. Shortie fat mast. Plus it's an original look I didn't care for the telescopic version either just more electric crap to go wrong or plug in
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[CC69Rat]

Originally Posted by special-K

..flimsy repro wheels made in China cost bout that much and they crack in just a handful of years...

It's not where they're made, it's the QC of the manufacturer. The same wheel made in the US with the same QC standards would crack too.

[twouvakind]

For me.....it's like a ships bell on a sailing vessel. I would sooner have it rebuilt($400+)than go aftermarket.

[OC 72]

Thought about changing mine..but, decided to leave the stock one.

[NewType72]

Man that's exactly what I want right there I love this look
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[big_al_71]

mine is long gone!!!! I sold it here to another member

[cmcclean]

Originally Posted by twouvakind

For me.....it's like a ships bell on a sailing vessel. I would sooner have it rebuilt($400+)than go aftermarket.

Thats exactly how I feel. My truck has been in the family since new in 72. I can feel the history every time I drive it. The wheel is cracked in several places and I can't imagine it being any other way. Everything else has been rebuilt but the wheel has been polished by over 400K miles and earned every crack and imperfection.
I think I have a little tear in my eye just thinking about it.

[nate_g_2003]

A PO put a later model van wheel on mine. I think they put a whole van column in, because my SPID doesn't show a tilt column, but I have one (unless tilt was a Custom Deluxe/Super Custom standard feature).

[Steve Hafner]

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

Have they really been making repro steering wheels for 15 years?

. . . .

It's a reproduction wheel that I ordered from one of the big catalog companies at least ten years ago . . . closer to fifteen.