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Hi all - I have 77 project car (yellow L82, 4 speed) and the car has the infamous “Vega” steering wheel mounted on the non tilt-tele column.
I love the car but I am a bigger guy and the non- adjustable wheel just makes it harder to get in and out of the car. I would like to swap to one that’s slightly smaller in diameter and honestly I don’t like the looks of this wheel - some do, and that’s fine - I’m not looking to debate the aesthetics of this part.
I cannot find a definitive answer in my searches regarding what is required to replace the 77 non tilt wheel? Seems there were some 77 only aspects to the steering column but I’m not sure where the non tilt column relates to those changes? I would assume that the 77 non tilt, Vega wheel column is basically the same as the 78-79 non tilt Vega wheel column- at least as it relates to steering by wheel attachment?
has anyone here changed this steering wheel? I would assume the mounting is similar to other GM applications- there are many hubs and mounting kits out there but I’d like to limit my trial and error if at all possible
Hi all - I have 77 project car (yellow L82, 4 speed) and the car has the infamous “Vega” steering wheel mounted on the non tilt-tele column.
I love the car but I am a bigger guy and the non- adjustable wheel just makes it harder to get in and out of the car. I would like to swap to one that’s slightly smaller in diameter and honestly I don’t like the looks of this wheel - some do, and that’s fine - I’m not looking to debate the aesthetics of this part.
I cannot find a definitive answer in my searches regarding what is required to replace the 77 non tilt wheel? Seems there were some 77 only aspects to the steering column but I’m not sure where the non tilt column relates to those changes? I would assume that the 77 non tilt, Vega wheel column is basically the same as the 78-79 non tilt Vega wheel column- at least as it relates to steering by wheel attachment?
has anyone here changed this steering wheel? I would assume the mounting is similar to other GM applications- there are many hubs and mounting kits out there but I’d like to limit my trial and error if at all possible
I appreciate any info you all can provide
No help on the steering wheel itself but,
The 77 standard column includes the 1 year only wiper switch. The 77 standard column uses a different wiper switch then the 77 T&T column.
On the 78 and later columns the wiper switch is in the dash...
I’m not sure how much relates for a 77’-79’ column, but I’ve done the steering wheel conversion on my ‘76 and will be doing it again on my second one. This video was a great resource.
If I were in your situation and felt the way you do, namely, you struggle to enter and exit the car, don't like the look of the non-tilt wheel, love the car and see it as a project car, I would seriously consider swapping in a 1977 tilt steering column with the leather wrapped wheel. I believe in 1977 the new tilt steering column was shorter and moved the wheel two inches closer to the dash, in addition to having the tilt function. Both changes would serve you well. I believe that would completely resolve your issue in a way that just changing the wheel would not.
Regarding the 76 video - I am told that the non tilt 77 requires different hardware than the tilt 76. Of course I’m not sure about that.
Regarding changing the column - I am considering that too. I’m 5’9’’ about 225 so I’m not huge but I do have kind of short stumps for legs which means I also have to move the seat a bit closer than most guys my height to fully engage the clutch and so on. Not a ridiculous amount but enough that the fixed Vega wheel also obstructs some of the speedo from my vantage point
77 tilt columns are somewhat scarce and most sellers seem to know that. Also most used ones are pretty spent so they’d need a rebuild. This is probably ultimately the best choice but I was hoping for a quick “fix” that would allow me to focus my time and resources elsewhere on the car - meaning, while the steering wheel is not ideal, it works properly at present as does the rest of the column hardware so while this is a great suggestion, I will probably table it for now
Figured it out - yes I know the wheel has a C4 emblem on it - that’s what was sent with the kit - put it on there for now, will see if I can find one more C3 appropriate.
Nonetheless, wheel install went smoothly with the adapter kit and the new wheel is about 1.5” smaller in diameter than the Vega wheel.
[QUOTE=Dream Car C3;1608451851]Hey Seedoo, love the wheel tell us where you purchased it.
I suffer the same a 3/4 inch would make a huge difference.[/QUOTE
wheel was purchased on Amazon - I don’t have the link handy as it was actually a gift from my Dad and bought on his account but if you search steering wheel for Corvette and scroll a bit you’ll find it - think the wheel and horn button kit was $89
it does make a difference and looks and feels better - also my old Vega style wheel - on a non adjustable column tended to block a portion of my speedometer between about 20 and 50 - at least for my height and seat position so being able to glance at this range around town is also a big plus
77 non-tilt column
