New steering wheel in...thanks racedvl! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mt Al · 12-24-2002, 09:25 PM

I bought a black GMC 4 spoke out of an early '90s truck from racedvl a few months ago and finally had time to put it in the suburban. Wow, what a difference. I've been driving with a stock '72 steering wheel for most of the last 22 years, so it's quite a change. Your hand kind of gets used to the cracks and hard plastic on the originals.

The suburban has a tilt column, so it puts the smaller wheel down where it needs to be. The swap was pretty easy. I kept the original turn signal cancelling plastic thing (whatever its called) and modified it with a dremel tool to accept the newer wheel's spring/wire thingamajigger. The newer one has a thicker "center" and didn't come in constant contact with the brass button that comes out of the steering column to operate the horn. My daughter tested the horn many, many, many times. Then she tested it again and again, just to make sure.

Obviously this is not for the person who wants to stay stock, but I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a mild/modern update. The wheels are pretty common on www.car-parts.com or from other people on the board who part out trucks. The difference is pretty amazing.

Thanks racedvl!

Longhorn Man · 12-25-2002, 01:23 AM

He is a pretty cool cat huh?
Jason, did you ever get those dang headers yet? J. said somethign bout mailing them to you...
I have ran the wheel your talking about...and I too like them.

*racedvl* · 12-25-2002, 11:54 AM

Awesome !!!!! I'm glad it worked out for the best to ya! I was wondering what ever came of that! I really love those wheels, I have one on my 69, and one on my 86. Do you have a didgi camara?? I would like to see the wheel in it's new happy home!

And Andy, I never did see those headders from Jeff. I have not heard from him at all after I talked to him that one night. And now that he sold his truck.....who knows. I still have that engine from him, and plan to install it sometime after the new year. I'm just gonna have a patch welded to my bad headder. There is nothing else wrong with them, and my truck will never be a show truck, so what the hay!!!!

Merry Christmas to all of you!

mt Al · 12-25-2002, 03:19 PM

racedvl,

I don't have a digi camera, was kind of hopeing for one this morning...no luck.

It looks pretty nice, especially with the tilt. When I get a camera, or get access to one, I'll take a pic and post it.

How do they work on trucks with out tilt? Does the wheel seem to ride too high? This might sound stupid, but after over 20 years of driving with a stock one I've got a place where I put my left hand on my left leg (this is getting a little personal now) and drive with two fingers on long straights. My pickup's wheel is totally cracked up and I'd like to replace it, but am concerned that the wheel will appear a bit too small. If there not too small of a diameter to work on a no-tilt, the stock one is GONE. Its the last part on my truck that needs to be done to make it look completely clean.

Are there brown or tan GMC 4 spoke wheels?

Thanks again.

Jwill41 · 12-25-2002, 03:50 PM

i love the feel

dashadow · 12-25-2002, 04:39 PM

Is this the same wheel that is used on the Astro vans? We have one at work and it looks pretty much the same as this one. They are a very comfortable wheel.

Jwill41 · 12-25-2002, 04:46 PM

mine came from an 88 suburban

neonlarry · 12-25-2002, 05:21 PM

I am pretty tall, but I think that it would be fine on a non tilt. I have a wheel from a 79 camaro on mine, and that seems just about right to me

*racedvl* · 12-25-2002, 11:09 PM

Here is the one in my 69. I am about 5'7 and it's nice. Little smaller than an orginal, but not too much. I have never seen one in any other color than black. And yes, Astros have these wheels, as do full size trucks, and S10's. I'm pretty sure that I sent you some instructions, those were based off me putting that wheel in my 69. And it's a non tilt.

12-24-2002, 09:25 PM	#1
mt Al Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 243	New steering wheel in...thanks racedvl! I bought a black GMC 4 spoke out of an early '90s truck from racedvl a few months ago and finally had time to put it in the suburban. Wow, what a difference. I've been driving with a stock '72 steering wheel for most of the last 22 years, so it's quite a change. Your hand kind of gets used to the cracks and hard plastic on the originals. The suburban has a tilt column, so it puts the smaller wheel down where it needs to be. The swap was pretty easy. I kept the original turn signal cancelling plastic thing (whatever its called) and modified it with a dremel tool to accept the newer wheel's spring/wire thingamajigger. The newer one has a thicker "center" and didn't come in constant contact with the brass button that comes out of the steering column to operate the horn. My daughter tested the horn many, many, many times. Then she tested it again and again, just to make sure. Obviously this is not for the person who wants to stay stock, but I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a mild/modern update. The wheels are pretty common on www.car-parts.com or from other people on the board who part out trucks. The difference is pretty amazing. Thanks racedvl! __________________ '72 GMC 1/2T 4x4 1500 Super Custom pickup (current) past rides were: '70 Chev 2wd farm truck '71 GMC 2wd 1/2T 402 nice! '72 Chev 2wd 1/2T 396 '72 GMC 3/4T 4x4 2500 Super Custom suburban. Bozeman, Montana

12-25-2002, 11:54 AM	#3
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	GMC wheel. . . Awesome !!!!! I'm glad it worked out for the best to ya! I was wondering what ever came of that! I really love those wheels, I have one on my 69, and one on my 86. Do you have a didgi camara?? I would like to see the wheel in it's new happy home! And Andy, I never did see those headders from Jeff. I have not heard from him at all after I talked to him that one night. And now that he sold his truck.....who knows. I still have that engine from him, and plan to install it sometime after the new year. I'm just gonna have a patch welded to my bad headder. There is nothing else wrong with them, and my truck will never be a show truck, so what the hay!!!! Merry Christmas to all of you!

12-25-2002, 03:19 PM	#4
mt Al Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 243	racedvl, I don't have a digi camera, was kind of hopeing for one this morning...no luck. It looks pretty nice, especially with the tilt. When I get a camera, or get access to one, I'll take a pic and post it. How do they work on trucks with out tilt? Does the wheel seem to ride too high? This might sound stupid, but after over 20 years of driving with a stock one I've got a place where I put my left hand on my left leg (this is getting a little personal now) and drive with two fingers on long straights. My pickup's wheel is totally cracked up and I'd like to replace it, but am concerned that the wheel will appear a bit too small. If there not too small of a diameter to work on a no-tilt, the stock one is GONE. Its the last part on my truck that needs to be done to make it look completely clean. Are there brown or tan GMC 4 spoke wheels? Thanks again. __________________ '72 GMC 1/2T 4x4 1500 Super Custom pickup (current) past rides were: '70 Chev 2wd farm truck '71 GMC 2wd 1/2T 402 nice! '72 Chev 2wd 1/2T 396 '72 GMC 3/4T 4x4 2500 Super Custom suburban. Bozeman, Montana

12-25-2002, 03:50 PM	#5
Jwill41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Farmers Branch, Tx Posts: 1,009	i love the feel Attached Images __________________ http://www.picturetrail.com/jwill41 67 1/2 ton GMC short step side 68 1/2 ton Chevy long fleet side 72 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban 99 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban founder (and only member) of the primer/clearcoat club

12-25-2002, 04:39 PM	#6
dashadow Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 90	Is this the same wheel that is used on the Astro vans? We have one at work and it looks pretty much the same as this one. They are a very comfortable wheel. __________________ '71; 250; 3 on a tree GMC

12-25-2002, 01:23 AM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	He is a pretty cool cat huh? Jason, did you ever get those dang headers yet? J. said somethign bout mailing them to you... I have ran the wheel your talking about...and I too like them.

12-25-2002, 04:46 PM	#7
Jwill41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Farmers Branch, Tx Posts: 1,009	mine came from an 88 suburban __________________ http://www.picturetrail.com/jwill41 67 1/2 ton GMC short step side 68 1/2 ton Chevy long fleet side 72 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban 99 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban founder (and only member) of the primer/clearcoat club

12-25-2002, 05:21 PM	#8
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	I am pretty tall, but I think that it would be fine on a non tilt. I have a wheel from a 79 camaro on mine, and that seems just about right to me __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

12-25-2002, 11:09 PM	#9
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	Here is the one in my 69. I am about 5'7 and it's nice. Little smaller than an orginal, but not too much. I have never seen one in any other color than black. And yes, Astros have these wheels, as do full size trucks, and S10's. I'm pretty sure that I sent you some instructions, those were based off me putting that wheel in my 69. And it's a non tilt.



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