Steering wheels with a classic appearance?

[robroy]

'Evening,

I'm considering buying one of these early-style steering wheels from Dennis Carpenter:



But before I do, I'm curious about what my other options are.

The D.C. wheel is a great looking piece for sure, but part of its $200 value is that it's an authentic repro of the original wheel, which isn't too important to me. I just like its styling. My truck's a '72 after all (and I don't like the '72 wheel as much).

Does anybody know of another good source for classic looking wheels?

Thanks!
-Robroy

[1971ford]

what i would do, is go to the junkyard or get one of those 67-79 wheels like you pictured from a member here. then since it will most likely have pits, fill them in with JB-weld or something smiliar (there are a few threads on here about repairing our steering wheels), sand and then repaint and TADA you have a wheel that looks as good as the $200 DC one but only spending maybe $30.

[convincor]

Not OEM, and not mine, But I think this looks good-

[sideoilerfe]

That is a 61- 70 steering wheel and it will fit your 72 but the horn ring will not work as the 71 -77 steering shaft inside the column is a little bit longer. My friend put that wheel on his 72 and the shaft stuck out about a half an inch.

[6T7Merc]

It would work if he were to use an adapter.

You may find something here or in lmc.
http://www.ididitinc.com/accessory_page ... aptors.htm

Ebay is also an excellent tool to find adapters. Thats where i found mine.

[robroy]

'Evening,

Sideoilerfe, thanks very much for pointing this out! I had no idea. My '72 truck already has a 61-70 steering wheel on it with no horn button, and now that you mention it I remember trying to put the horn button on with no success twelve years ago! Now I know why it didn't work.

I specifically remember it going "bonk" in to the shaft.

67Merc', thanks for the link to the adapters. This may be the route I'll take since I like the early wheels so much more.

Do you have a photo of your wheel installed with the adapter? I'm curious to see what it looks like.

Thanks folks!
-Robroy

[Banjo]

what you have to watch for in the aftermarket ones is they don't make the larger size the old steering wheels are and in many cases the smaller steering wheels look cartoonish in such a full size truck to me. I had a nice leather wrapped Grant GT on mine for awhile and just could not tolerate the 14" little dude. Felt like I was driving with one of those little chain steering wheels. Plus if you don't have power steering the smaller aftermarket wheels will give you a tad more workout in parking (of course, that's something we could all use no doubt)...Banjo.

[robroy]

'Evening Banjo,

I agree with you on this--I like the look of the full sized wheels.

I've haven't yet found a 100% suitable way to adapt the early style wheel to my '72, but I do like the way they look so that's what I'm shooting for.

-Robroy

[6T7Merc]

Do you have a photo of your wheel installed with the adapter? I'm curious to see what it looks like.

ill try to get you one tomorrow

[robroy]

Hey thanks 67Merc',

If I could find an adapter I'd definite go forward with putting the old style wheel on my truck.

I contacted Ididit about their adapters but they don't make one for this particular situation, so I'm stuck here.

http://www.ididitinc.com/accessory_page ... aptors.htm

Thanks very much 67Merc'!
-Robroy

[robroy]

Hi 67Merc',

I'm going to start a new forum thread with a subject line more fitting to the current question at hand (adapters for installing early wheels on late trucks). I just wanted to let you know so you wouldn't wonder why I started a new thread that's almost identical to this one!

Thanks 67Merc'!
-Robroy

[6T7Merc]

Hey thanks 67Merc',

If I could find an adapter I'd definite go forward with putting the old style wheel on my truck.

I contacted Ididit about their adapters but they don't make one for this particular situation, so I'm stuck here.

http://www.ididitinc.com/accessory_page ... aptors.htm

Thanks very much 67Merc'!
-Robroy

You may want to check ebay. If you know the dimensions that you need to fi the wheel then you may be able to find one easily.

[robroy]

Hi 67Merc', thanks for the suggestion!

Are these adapters (found on eBay) universal?

-Robroy

[kaptnkaos]

Hey RobRoy...

Are you talking about the early bump style wheel like the pic in yer first post or an older style ???
If yer talkin' about the early bump style... no adapter is needed
All you need to do is grind or cut off the little nub at the end of the steering shaft.
And easy way to do that is to pull the existing wheel, put some masking or duct tape over the turn signal switch.
Put the big nut back on the shaft until it covers the treads and the nub is sticking out of it.
Now you can cut or grind the nub off.
If you don't have a grinder, you should be able to use a hacksaw by turning the blade 90 degrees and tightening it back down. then you should be able to just cut the nub off flat with the nut.
Remove the nut and install the old style wheel.
It's actually pretty easy

KaptnKA S

[robroy]

Hey there Kaptnkaos,

Thanks for your advice! It probably is easier than it seems. I guess I'm hesitating to remove that nub off of the end of the steering column just in case it's on there for a good reason that I don't know about.

But you're probably right; it's probably no big deal.

Thanks very much!
-Robroy