new steering wheel for 76
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 10
From: Sault Ste Marie Ontario
Re: new steering wheel for 76 (TJRed76)
I would be interested in finding out as well. Will the kit work with tilt/tel???????????????? If you find out please let me know. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 0
From: many sticks land of mountains
Re: new steering wheel for 76 (pats406nitrovette)
In '76 they did use the same steering wheel as the Vega. I am looking for something sportier, more VETTISH than vegaish. :U :U
TJ
TJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: new steering wheel for 76 (TJRed76)
I installed a new steering wheel in my 76 using this kit. The only draw back for some people is that you loose the teliscopic function. The ring around the horn button that is used to loosen & tighten the column so that it can be adjusted is lost during the conversion. I just set the column at one hieght that resulted in a small gap between the adapter and the column. Works fine for me, but I have long arms. If you like to sit really far back and have short arms this could be a disadvantage.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 0
Re: new steering wheel for 76 (TJRed76)
When I got my 76 I thought it had the vega motor in it too :lol:
Mine came with a thick tan leather wrap around it, feels good and looks tough too :yesnod:
[Modified by Tominator, 1:59 PM 1/11/2002]
Mine came with a thick tan leather wrap around it, feels good and looks tough too :yesnod:
[Modified by Tominator, 1:59 PM 1/11/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: new steering wheel for 76 (Tominator)
One thing to remember. Your 1976 steering column is identical to 1969 through 1975 steering columns. The difference is in the steering wheel and attachments for that one year only. All Corvette steering wheels (except 1976) have a separate hub that the steering wheel screws on to and also a stamped extension "can" that covers the gap that occurs when the steering wheel is telescoped. The 1976 "Vega" wheel has an integral hub along with a unique "can". So if you through away the Vega wheel you have to scrounge up a hub and a new stamped extension can to cover the gap.
I reviewed all this information in a paper that I wrote that is published at http://www.corvettefaq.com. Look under Suspension and Steering. The paper is entitled Steering Wheel and Horn Parts.
So far I have been unable to find any supplier that has the hubs or the extension cans available. A person at Steering Columns Galore Inc.(www.steering columnsgalore.com) told me that there is someone tooling up these parts but they are not available as yet. So you will have to find these parts at a swap meet or from some forum member.
Jim Shea
I reviewed all this information in a paper that I wrote that is published at http://www.corvettefaq.com. Look under Suspension and Steering. The paper is entitled Steering Wheel and Horn Parts.
So far I have been unable to find any supplier that has the hubs or the extension cans available. A person at Steering Columns Galore Inc.(www.steering columnsgalore.com) told me that there is someone tooling up these parts but they are not available as yet. So you will have to find these parts at a swap meet or from some forum member.
Jim Shea
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Pickerington OH
Re: new steering wheel for 76 (dukvet76)
Good info - I've been thinking about changing the wheel in my '76, and Ecklers is the only place I have seen the adaptor.
On a related note, does it irk anyone else here that the wheel is always referred to as "from the Vega" even though they used the same steering wheel on Chevelles and Camaros from that same period?
On a related note, does it irk anyone else here that the wheel is always referred to as "from the Vega" even though they used the same steering wheel on Chevelles and Camaros from that same period?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: new steering wheel for 76 (76 Shark)
Becareful, if I remember correctly, the Eckler's hub is for the standard steering column. It is not the same as the T&T hub. It will probably attach to the serrations on the T&T column. However, I don't know how the horn parts will work or if the hub diameter will match the T&T column head.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: new steering wheel for 76 (Ganey)
Just measured the length of the adaptor. It places the center of the steering wheel 2.30" away from the end of the steering column. So if you want to see where this puts the steering wheel, you could remove the stock "can" or "cover" and adjust your wheel to this position. This should give you a pretty good feel for what the end result will be. I am 6'2" with fairly long arms, and I like the position of the wheel, but this is obviously something everybody has to decide for theirselves. Hope this helps. :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Re: new steering wheel for 76 (TJRed76)
I've gotta be honest with you guys. The wheel really doesn't bother me. Definately not as nice as the wheels on the early 70's and 60's cars, but not a whole lot different than the later 70's and early 80's models. I think we '76ers get a bad time over this for little reason and I am not going to take it lying down. There, i'm sitting. Now for another beer. :conehead
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 708
Likes: 21
From: Montrose CA
Re: new steering wheel for 76 (R. Bruno)
l've been staring at that vega wheel for a few years now and honestly... I like it... kinda reminds me of a dragster steering wheel with the full circle instead of just the handles... And for all the rest of you... how can you stand having Vega sealed beams on your cars?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: new steering wheel for 76 (Carl in LA)
I don't have the Vega seal beams anymore! :lol: :lol: :lol: I replaced them too. Now I have HELLA headlights that have removable bulbs - JUST LIKE THE NEW CARS. :p: :p: :p: :p:
Seriously, my wheel was getting pretty bad looking, so now I have leather. :cheers:
Seriously, my wheel was getting pretty bad looking, so now I have leather. :cheers:
