Adapter for '76 Steering wheel
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 47
Likes: 12
From: Kansas City Metro
Adapter for '76 Steering wheel
I purchased a steering wheel thinking I would be able to swap it out like almost every other year, but found out after I purchased it that '76 has a special hub that won't fit most aftermarket steering wheels. I have been to several local shops that all scratch their heads and have no solutions for me to swap out my factory steering wheel. The only solution that has been proposed to me is to replace my entire steering column at a 2k cost. I don't need the column for any other reason so this seems like a really expensive way to accomplish my goal.
I was hoping that someone on this forum knew how to find an adapter or has a solution to replace the steering wheel. I'm open to any and all options!
My current steering column is a NON-tilt basic standard '76. Which is apparently only in the '76, no other years have this column, or at least that is what all the experts are telling me.
I was hoping that someone on this forum knew how to find an adapter or has a solution to replace the steering wheel. I'm open to any and all options!
My current steering column is a NON-tilt basic standard '76. Which is apparently only in the '76, no other years have this column, or at least that is what all the experts are telling me.
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2024
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https://www.topflightautomotive.com/...onversion-kit/
it ain't cheap
here's a video on the basic kit
it ain't cheap
here's a video on the basic kit
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 47
Likes: 12
From: Kansas City Metro
@Giraffecaster - This is a way better option than the 2k to replace the whole column. Thanks for the share.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,667
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From: Shamong, NJ
The conversion kits are only available for the tilt/tele column. I don't know of any kit to convert standard columns, but I'm pretty sure it can be done. Since the 76 column is similar to the 69-75 standard column I would assume it could be done using the hub and other parts from the top of a 69-75 column. This is basically what the kit to convert the tilt/tele column is, a kit made up of 69-75 tele column hub, bell, etc. The toughest part would be determining what parts at the top of the column are different.
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From: Omaha NE
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 47
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From: Kansas City Metro
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2024
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i think it's just this one. if you google "3937896 adapter" there's a lot of vendors selling similar
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 47
Likes: 12
From: Kansas City Metro
https://www.classicindustries.com/product/3937896.html
i think it's just this one. if you google "3937896 adapter" there's a lot of vendors selling similar
i think it's just this one. if you google "3937896 adapter" there's a lot of vendors selling similar
I've called all the Corvette vendors, every single one says the same thing, replace the column. Do I really have to replace my whole column just to get rid of this stupid vega wheel?????
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,728
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Can you show us some pictures of the fitment issue between your specific column, your old wheel, and your desired wheel? Lotsa folks on this forum with lotsa witty ideas so maybe it's time to fabricate something?
I would probably change the steering column.... lotsa C3s to choose from.
I would probably change the steering column.... lotsa C3s to choose from.
Another option down the drain, I just got this one in the mail, and it did say it would work for '76 Chevy, but that is for Vega, Buick, and other GM models. But when it came in the mail it specifically mentions Corvette only until '75. I'm really surprised it's this hard to find an adapter, I guess since there are only 4,000 made like this its just too small of a demographic.
I've called all the Corvette vendors, every single one says the same thing, replace the column. Do I really have to replace my whole column just to get rid of this stupid vega wheel?????
I've called all the Corvette vendors, every single one says the same thing, replace the column. Do I really have to replace my whole column just to get rid of this stupid vega wheel?????
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,021
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From: North tonawanda NY
My uncle has an aftermarket wheel on his 76 and I believe his is a non tilt (pretty sure of it actually) I know the conversion didnt cost him very much.
I am staring at a horn spring kit I ordered for him I have to install I'll see if I can get pics. ironically it had a smaller cheap aftermarket wheel on it when he bought it and he whined and whined he wanted it to be original... intill he saw how ugly the original vega wheel was.. Its got one of the larger wooden wheels with the chevy logo on the chrome horn button now.
On my 74 I just drilled a few new holes in an aftermarket wheel to get it to line up
I am staring at a horn spring kit I ordered for him I have to install I'll see if I can get pics. ironically it had a smaller cheap aftermarket wheel on it when he bought it and he whined and whined he wanted it to be original... intill he saw how ugly the original vega wheel was.. Its got one of the larger wooden wheels with the chevy logo on the chrome horn button now.
On my 74 I just drilled a few new holes in an aftermarket wheel to get it to line up
Last edited by augiedoggy; May 23, 2024 at 09:34 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
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That would be a good find!
Heck - hopefully it is a fantastically simple mod. I'm curious (and I don't have a 76) ....
Heck - hopefully it is a fantastically simple mod. I'm curious (and I don't have a 76) ....
My uncle has an aftermarket wheel on his 76 and I believe his is a non tilt (pretty sure of it actually) I know the conversion didnt cost him very much.
I am staring at a horn spring kit I ordered for him I have to install I'll see if I can get pics. ironically it had a smaller cheap aftermarket wheel on it when he bought it and he whined and whined he wanted it to be original... intill he saw how ugly the original vega wheel was.. Its got one of the larger wooden wheels with the chevy logo on the chrome horn button now.
On my 74 I just drilled a few new holes in an aftermarket wheel to get it to line up
I am staring at a horn spring kit I ordered for him I have to install I'll see if I can get pics. ironically it had a smaller cheap aftermarket wheel on it when he bought it and he whined and whined he wanted it to be original... intill he saw how ugly the original vega wheel was.. Its got one of the larger wooden wheels with the chevy logo on the chrome horn button now.
On my 74 I just drilled a few new holes in an aftermarket wheel to get it to line up
