need smaller steering wheel
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: San Mateo, CA.U.S.A california
need smaller steering wheel
I have a stock 16 inch simulated teak (plastic) steering wheel and would like to put a smaller stock looking wheel on. I have no leg room with the stock wheel any suggestions.
Second question are they hard to change. Thanks Mike
Second question are they hard to change. Thanks Mike
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 384
Likes: 23
From: Albion N.E. Indiana
Man....I don't have the info. here at work, but there is a manufacture that does a nice looking smaller thicker steering wheel that looks just like the stock wheel. I plan on getting one for myself. If no one answers this, I will look at home for the info. Sorry. 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Pembine Wis
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,934
Likes: 657
From: Norwalk ohio
2019 Corvette of the Year Winner
St. Jude Donor '15
Originally Posted by kabong
Try this....http://www.budnik.com/ I have one on my 60. NICE!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: whiting,nj
i also needed a smaller wheel. picked up a used 70-75 vette wheel at the n.c.r.s. show in orlando. masked it ,painted it with some leftover spray interior dye i had, then for good measure i used a spray can clear
the wheel is closer to 14 3/4 ". didn't want to go with a 14" or smaller.
( no power steering ). looks like it came with the car. on the car now for about two years. did not need to modify anything. same horn button and all. just my .02
the wheel is closer to 14 3/4 ". didn't want to go with a 14" or smaller.
( no power steering ). looks like it came with the car. on the car now for about two years. did not need to modify anything. same horn button and all. just my .02
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 13
From: ar
I use the 70 to 75 wheel, looks like it belongs there. Also you can see the gauges well but gives good clearence. I have tried the later 80 to 82 padded wheels but at 6 foot tall you can't see the gauges well.
SSS
SSS
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 391
Likes: 36
From: taunton mass
for options on smaller steering wheels that look like original c 2 wheels try www.firewheelclassics.com look under camaro wood wheels they cost @249.00 and are smaller in diameter than owr originals I believe they are made of a plasiic material in a simulated wood finish nice stuff
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Santa Cruz CA
Originally Posted by kenEDMUNDS
Call Eric Freeman at Freeman designs-he reproduces teak wheel and can build one in almost any size you need. Installation: One phillps screwdriver, 9 screws, 5 minutes!
I just bought one of these off eBay. It's nicely done!
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Gladwyne Pa.
Steering Wheel
I have Eric Freemans` 15 inch teak wheel in my `65 conv. This wheel ,while only 1 inch smaller than the stock size, has less concavity(sp?),which gives you an additional couple of inches. I`m 6`2" and it works great, especially if you have redone your seats with new buns.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,546
Likes: 1,978
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Steering wheel
I picked up a smaller leather wrapped steering wheel for my 68 a few years ago. It has Corvette stamped into the leather. If I remember correctly, it was about $100 from Ecklers. It was a direct bolt on for years 63 to 76. It is a 14" wheel, so if you do not have power steering, it would make steering that much harder in tight spaces. Jerry
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 8
From: Grosse Ile MI
Originally Posted by NINETNINEVETT
I have a stock 16 inch simulated teak (plastic) steering wheel and would like to put a smaller stock looking wheel on. I have no leg room with the stock wheel any suggestions.
Second question are they hard to change. Thanks Mike
Second question are they hard to change. Thanks Mike
Try a wheel from a 68-69 Camaro or 60's Chevelle.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
JCWhitney sells 14 inch wheels. Mine is deep dish walnut. Easy to install if you have a cheap steering wheel puller.
You can see it here: http://www.corvetteforum.net/classic...e/index5.shtml
IMO you will need power steering if you are using front tires wider than 205mm
You can see it here: http://www.corvetteforum.net/classic...e/index5.shtml
IMO you will need power steering if you are using front tires wider than 205mm
Last edited by magicv8; Jun 9, 2006 at 10:22 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
Likes: 694
From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
I also have manual steering and I tried a 15" wheel. The turning effort increased too much for my taste. I bought a 69 Camaro gm reproduction rosewood wheel. It is plastic, 16" in diameter but has almost 2" less dish. I like it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 8
From: Grosse Ile MI
Originally Posted by Sky65
I also have manual steering and I tried a 15" wheel. The turning effort increased too much for my taste. I bought a 69 Camaro gm reproduction rosewood wheel. It is plastic, 16" in diameter but has almost 2" less dish. I like it.
Sky65,
Yep, that's what I was talking about. Great looking wheel.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
From: Bartlett IL
Mine must have been made from a Camaro steering wheel. It's smaller and has less dish but is real wood. Whoever made it did a really nice job. Here's a couple pics from the construction phase.
Here's a good view with some detail on the wood:
Another view:
Here's a good view with some detail on the wood:
Another view:
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 10
From: Fairfield County CT
When I bought my '64, it had a really beautiful, thick 14" teak wheel on it. However, due to the lack of power steering, the steering effort at slow speeds was monumental, at least for these 60 year-old arms.
So, at Sky65's suggestion, I bought off Ebay the same '69 plastic Camaro Gm repro wheel he references in his reply above. Paid a very reasonable price, far lower than any teak wheel I could find. Steering effort is quite tolerable now, way better than it was before. I do like this wheel, but I really miss the look and feel of real wood. I've considered converting to power steering so I could remount my original teak 14" wheel, but buying a 16" teak wheel would be less expensive, a lot less hassle, and I may someday do just that.
If you don't have power steering, and unless you work out frequently, you may find the smaller diameter wheel a bit much for comfortable steering at driveway/parking lot speeds. Once underway, not bad. But, I found the effort involved with the 14" wheel to be objectionable, thus the switch to a 16" wheel.
Good luck!
So, at Sky65's suggestion, I bought off Ebay the same '69 plastic Camaro Gm repro wheel he references in his reply above. Paid a very reasonable price, far lower than any teak wheel I could find. Steering effort is quite tolerable now, way better than it was before. I do like this wheel, but I really miss the look and feel of real wood. I've considered converting to power steering so I could remount my original teak 14" wheel, but buying a 16" teak wheel would be less expensive, a lot less hassle, and I may someday do just that.
If you don't have power steering, and unless you work out frequently, you may find the smaller diameter wheel a bit much for comfortable steering at driveway/parking lot speeds. Once underway, not bad. But, I found the effort involved with the 14" wheel to be objectionable, thus the switch to a 16" wheel.
Good luck!
Last edited by Cobra66; Jun 9, 2006 at 08:55 PM.