Steering wheel swap questions

[garner67]

I really like the 3 spoke steering wheel design more than the 71-72 2 spoke steering wheels, and I plan on installing a 3 spoke wheel on my 71. After reading previous posts, it sounds like the swap is a pretty straight forward task, you only need to cut down the steering shaft length (and maybe clearance the horn button). I do have a few more questions...

Are all the 3 spoke steering wheels the same? More specifically, can I install a deluxe horn trim ring on a standard 3 spoke wheel?

Do 60's passenger vehicles steering wheels (Mustang,Galaxie,Rancharo, etc) fit the 67-72 trucks? For example, here's a pic of a Ranchero wheel...



or a Mustang wheel... maybe one of these wheels might fit my 71 bump?



Also, are the older 3 spoke steering wheels from the 50's trucks fit the 67-72 bumps?

Thanks for the help.

[fordman]

3 spoke truck steering wheels will use either type of horn button or ring that was made for these trucks. so yes you can use a horn ring on a steering wheel that had a horn button it.

mustang wheels are deep dished on the ones i have seen. i cant comment on other wheels from other fords. my guess is yes they will work with our horn rings. stay away from mustangs unless you know for sure about the horn ring or not.

[SoCalExile]

[m-mman]

The wheel you have pictured at the top seems to be a 57/8 Fairlane wheel.
It might fit the shaft but I will assume that you also want your horn to work?
If so, then it is NOT the steering wheel for you.

Starting with Mustang production in the summer of 1964 FoMoCo switched from a generator to alternator charging system. When they did this they took the opportunity to make all kinds of other little changes in the electrical system. (even things like brake light switches)

One of these changes that matters to bump era trucks is the changes they made to the turn signal switch.
Generator cars/trucks used ONE brush/contact to 'pass through' the steering wheel.
Alternator cars/trucks use TWO.

"pass through" in this cas is used to indicate that on the 50s wheels the brush actually fits into a hole in the steering wheel and connected between the TSS and the horn ring.

Later on in the early 60s the single brush was a built in part of the TSS and rubbed on the back side of the wheel and a metal component that was bolted to the wheel carried the current to the horn ring.

Alternator steering wheels have TWO 'tracks' on the back side that rub against the two brushes that are part of the TSS.

So, as you look as steering wheel options consider the horn circut.

[garner67]

The wheel you have pictured at the top seems to be a 57/8 Fairlane wheel.
It might fit the shaft but I will assume that you also want your horn to work?
If so, then it is NOT the steering wheel for you.

Starting with Mustang production in the summer of 1964 FoMoCo switched from a generator to alternator charging system. When they did this they took the opportunity to make all kinds of other little changes in the electrical system. (even things like brake light switches)

One of these changes that matters to bump era trucks is the changes they made to the turn signal switch.
Generator cars/trucks used ONE brush/contact to 'pass through' the steering wheel.
Alternator cars/trucks use TWO.

"pass through" in this cas is used to indicate that on the 50s wheels the brush actually fits into a hole in the steering wheel and connected between the TSS and the horn ring.

Later on in the early 60s the single brush was a built in part of the TSS and rubbed on the back side of the wheel and a metal component that was bolted to the wheel carried the current to the horn ring.

Alternator steering wheels have TWO 'tracks' on the back side that rub against the two brushes that are part of the TSS.

So, as you look as steering wheel options consider the horn circut.

3 spoke truck steering wheels will use either type of horn button or ring that was made for these trucks. so yes you can use a horn ring on a steering wheel that had a horn button it.

mustang wheels are deep dished on the ones i have seen. i cant comment on other wheels from other fords. my guess is yes they will work with our horn rings. stay away from mustangs unless you know for sure about the horn ring or not.

Great info you guys. This helps me narrow down my search.

Thanks!

[ToughOldFord]

Chunk Long