smaller dia steering wheel
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: algonac michigan
smaller dia steering wheel
does anyone has a smaller than stock steering wheel in their car?
what size is it?
how do you like it?
where did you get it?
i put in racing seats, nice in the curves........
but its hard to get in and out.
thanks
R.
what size is it?
how do you like it?
where did you get it?
i put in racing seats, nice in the curves........
but its hard to get in and out.
thanks
R.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
hello i have a Grant Challenger wheel. it's a lil over 13" dia. works fine. with the power steering i don't notice any problems with leverage. except in parking lot situations.
i bought mine for $15 at a swap meet.
robin
i bought mine for $15 at a swap meet.
robin
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
I was so annoyed that I couldn't find anything that didn't either look like it should be on a Bentley or was no smaller than the original, that I've decided to make my own.
AD2VET and Mooneyd were kind enough to send me a couple of steering wheels so that I can have a play around.
I'm gonna hack off the old leather, cut the spokes from the rim and then shorten the spokes by one inch on one wheel and 2 inches on the other. I'll remove the correct amount of rim, reprofile it and weld it back to the spokes, then hand them over to someone to have them recovered.
The finished products should be one 12" and one 10" "standard" Corvette steering wheels...
I'll post some pics when I'm done...
AD2VET and Mooneyd were kind enough to send me a couple of steering wheels so that I can have a play around.
I'm gonna hack off the old leather, cut the spokes from the rim and then shorten the spokes by one inch on one wheel and 2 inches on the other. I'll remove the correct amount of rim, reprofile it and weld it back to the spokes, then hand them over to someone to have them recovered.
The finished products should be one 12" and one 10" "standard" Corvette steering wheels...
I'll post some pics when I'm done...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 48
From: westland mi
had the same problem as U, couldn't get in or out so i bought a grant steering wheel from summit, they have many to choose from. can't remember what size it is or the model but what a diff getting in and out. the other thing i like is the way it fits your hand when driving. take a look. http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/331969/2
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Put the black leather one on my Corvette a long time ago. It has polished slotted spokes & a shallower dish which moves it closer to the dash. Nice, direct bolt on about 13 1/2". Looks right at home on a CORVETTE or Ferrari.
No, works great for me.
Originally Posted by vetteguy75
Question: Does the smaller steering wheel obstruct the view of the speedo & tach...that has been my concern... 
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: algonac michigan
i might have to try that also
hard to find zero dish wheels
R.
hard to find zero dish wheels
R.
Originally Posted by saudivette
I was so annoyed that I couldn't find anything that didn't either look like it should be on a Bentley or was no smaller than the original, that I've decided to make my own.
AD2VET and Mooneyd were kind enough to send me a couple of steering wheels so that I can have a play around.
I'm gonna hack off the old leather, cut the spokes from the rim and then shorten the spokes by one inch on one wheel and 2 inches on the other. I'll remove the correct amount of rim, reprofile it and weld it back to the spokes, then hand them over to someone to have them recovered.
The finished products should be one 12" and one 10" "standard" Corvette steering wheels...
I'll post some pics when I'm done...
AD2VET and Mooneyd were kind enough to send me a couple of steering wheels so that I can have a play around.
I'm gonna hack off the old leather, cut the spokes from the rim and then shorten the spokes by one inch on one wheel and 2 inches on the other. I'll remove the correct amount of rim, reprofile it and weld it back to the spokes, then hand them over to someone to have them recovered.
The finished products should be one 12" and one 10" "standard" Corvette steering wheels...
I'll post some pics when I'm done...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 48
From: westland mi
Originally Posted by 76REDSTINGER
i like the recessed headlights!!!
where did those come from? kit or custom?
p.s. it looks like you have tilt steering column?
thanks
R.
where did those come from? kit or custom?
p.s. it looks like you have tilt steering column?
thanks
R.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
Originally Posted by 76REDSTINGER
i cant find anything i like, for a 76 C-3
im going to mod one, want to use chevette style 4-spoke
any one have one to sell?
thanks
R.
im going to mod one, want to use chevette style 4-spoke
any one have one to sell?
thanks
R.
Firstly had to cut away the leather, which incidently, smelt exactly like it had been absorbing sweat for 20 odd years
Underneath the leather is white rubber that looks like it was vacuum formed on at the factory. I sliced it through to the steel core around the inside of the wheel. Now I have the bare wheel.
I cut through the spokes where they joined the rim, then cut 6.3 inches out of the rim - when joined together again, I will have a 12 inch diameter Corvette steering wheel!!
I'm also gonna cut slots into the spokes like a '75 wheel. Should look sweet...
Pro
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: Perth,Western Australia,Australia
Originally Posted by saudivette
I started on my mods last night.
Firstly had to cut away the leather, which incidently, smelt exactly like it had been absorbing sweat for 20 odd years
Underneath the leather is white rubber that looks like it was vacuum formed on at the factory. I sliced it through to the steel core around the inside of the wheel. Now I have the bare wheel.
I cut through the spokes where they joined the rim, then cut 6.3 inches out of the rim - when joined together again, I will have a 12 inch diameter Corvette steering wheel!!
I'm also gonna cut slots into the spokes like a '75 wheel. Should look sweet...
Firstly had to cut away the leather, which incidently, smelt exactly like it had been absorbing sweat for 20 odd years
Underneath the leather is white rubber that looks like it was vacuum formed on at the factory. I sliced it through to the steel core around the inside of the wheel. Now I have the bare wheel.
I cut through the spokes where they joined the rim, then cut 6.3 inches out of the rim - when joined together again, I will have a 12 inch diameter Corvette steering wheel!!
I'm also gonna cut slots into the spokes like a '75 wheel. Should look sweet...
Neil.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,366
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas NV
I bought a mahogany steeringwheel from Mid America with the 3 spoke aluminum (you could also get it in black) for about $150. It's about 14" in diameter...it's just about the right size. Plus, the thickness of the wheel is better.
http://www.wideopenwest.com/~capper/...%20-%20int.jpg
http://www.wideopenwest.com/~capper/...%20-%20int.jpg
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
I bought a 14" grant a while back. I really like it. its much thicker...on center slop is not as bad...No guage obstruction problems (but I have a T/T column) and an unexpected benifit...the signal stalk is MUCH better located now. The qualty of the grant in average at best...i had some sticking starting to come loose...a quick lighter to the freyed edges put an end to it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
Originally Posted by Fleetwood
Hope you are taking pictures,like to see before & after pics....
Neil.
Neil.
It's been straight forward so far, except for the sweat soaked, rotten foam under the leather. The smell nearly made me vomit!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
Originally Posted by Ratman13
I've been thinking of doing something just like this. I was wondering if this wheel would work with tilt/telescoping options?
I'm off home at the end of this month, for a month. I want to have the wheel all welded back together again by then so that I can take it home with me and have it recovered. I'll post some pics of it finished, but that won't be for nearly 2 months...
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Steering Wheel
Hello Ratman13
You posted a link to the steering wheel that I am getting for my 1973 Vette. I like the look of the wood grain and the one that I am getting almost matches the wood trim on the shift console. I like the smaller dimesion as it makes it easier to get into and out of the Vette, even with a Tilt and Tele column. Not to mention that I can now rest my left arm some more with the added space.
You posted a link to the steering wheel that I am getting for my 1973 Vette. I like the look of the wood grain and the one that I am getting almost matches the wood trim on the shift console. I like the smaller dimesion as it makes it easier to get into and out of the Vette, even with a Tilt and Tele column. Not to mention that I can now rest my left arm some more with the added space.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: algonac michigan
Originally Posted by saudivette
I was so annoyed that I couldn't find anything that didn't either look like it should be on a Bentley or was no smaller than the original, that I've decided to make my own.
AD2VET and Mooneyd were kind enough to send me a couple of steering wheels so that I can have a play around.
I'm gonna hack off the old leather, cut the spokes from the rim and then shorten the spokes by one inch on one wheel and 2 inches on the other. I'll remove the correct amount of rim, reprofile it and weld it back to the spokes, then hand them over to someone to have them recovered.
The finished products should be one 12" and one 10" "standard" Corvette steering wheels...
I'll post some pics when I'm done...
AD2VET and Mooneyd were kind enough to send me a couple of steering wheels so that I can have a play around.
I'm gonna hack off the old leather, cut the spokes from the rim and then shorten the spokes by one inch on one wheel and 2 inches on the other. I'll remove the correct amount of rim, reprofile it and weld it back to the spokes, then hand them over to someone to have them recovered.
The finished products should be one 12" and one 10" "standard" Corvette steering wheels...
I'll post some pics when I'm done...
R.