Let's talk steering wheels

[03BlkZ]

Good morning. I would like to see what everyone is using as far as steering wheels go. I am nearing the completion on my 70 C10 restoration and I am needing a steering wheel. I'm a bigger guy and as we know these trucks are a little small inside. My truck is a manual steering setup. My dad daily drove this truck for 30 years and most of that time he had a wheel from a square body in it. I afraid the 17 inch factory wheel will not offer me enough room. Are these wheels specific? I saw a wheel for a Nova I liked a while back at a Classics shop and wondered if it would fit. Anyway here is what I am working with. And also here is kind of what I am thinking as far as a wheel goes. Thoughts?

[Grumpy old man]

I'm 6'2" and 275 , I added PS and a Flaming river tilt column and using the Comfort wheel along with moving the steering wheel /column down to make it more comfortable . Manual steering was one of the first things to go . Have you ever noticed how many trucks have front fender and grille damage. I'm pretty sure that's due to manual steering and drum brakes . Check these threads .

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=540199



https://www.google.com/search?q=cama...7MSNa6H1A5vCwM

[72c20customcamper]

The gm comfort wheel is what I used. Got the complete kit from Ausleys parts when I was in Carlisle

[jocko]

It "kinda" sounds like you like the original wheel but just wish it was offered in 15" - it is: https://www.lmctruck.com/1967-72-che...ls-as-original

If custom (or at least non-original isn't a problem), then the one in Mark's post #3 is by far my favorite aftermarket wheel in these trucks. Really like the look of those. Keep in mind that going with a smaller dia wheel without upgrading to PS might get old pretty quickly - there's a reason the originals were so big back in the day.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

I'm 6'2" and 275 , I added PS and a Flaming river tilt column and using the Comfort wheel along with moving the steering wheel /column down to make it more comfortable . Manual steering was one of the first things to go . Have you ever noticed how many trucks have front fender and grille damage. I'm pretty sure that's due to manual steering and drum brakes . Check these threads .

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=540199



https://www.google.com/search?q=cama...7MSNa6H1A5vCwM

Pretty cool the Google search is my truck

[03BlkZ]

This is not going g to be a daily driver by any means. I kept it manual steering for nostalgic reasons. My dad bought this truck way before I was born so I grew up riding in this truck. This is also the first vehicle I ever drove and what I learned to drive a manual in. I also kept it 3 OTT. Dad parked this truck in his shop almost 20 years ago and recently gave it to me. I paid for all the resto but we worked on it together. He is a retired auto body man of 46 years. I will take a look at the GM Comfort wheel. Thanks!

[yuccales]

I'm sure whatever wheel you pick will look good in that fine truck!

[Boog]

turn
You might look into those shorter seat mount brackets too.

[03BlkZ]

Originally Posted by Boog

turn
You might look into those shorter seat mount brackets too.

I didn't realize there were shorter seat brackets. That would be great. Where can I find some?

[72c20customcamper]

I used these on my 72 .


https://full-custom-fabrication.squa...ng-brackets/10

[03BlkZ]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

I used these on my 72 .


https://full-custom-fabrication.squa...ng-brackets/10

Oh man thanks! I will definitely look in to those. It looks like they drop the seat about 2 inches. That would be nice. I have no need for for for the sliding seat tracks anyway.

[dagnabbitt]

I understand leaving it manual steering, at least for now. Driving a manual steering truck is a unique experience. Myself, I did that with my 68, but I do know that there might come a day when I eventually have had enough of the nostalgia. Vinyl seats that give me third degree burns in the summer make me nostalgic too but it gets a little tiresome.

If you want a small wheel there are a lot of choices, I like the wooden grant steering wheels myself. Most people on this forum are not fans of those but I got my drivers license in the 90s and it is my own personal nostalgia for that era.

But a smaller wheel with manual steering is a real workout. Good luck with finding something you like, that works for your ride. Nice truck.

[cj847]

At your size i would recommend a wheel that uses a GM 3 hole wheel adapter. The 9 hole ones that have been presented add a couple of inches to the length of the column.


http://www.spiderautomotive.com/grant838blue.html

[Andy4639]

Checkout this thread. I posted several wheels that I have done. Others posted some of theirs also.
60 era cars have some nice wheels. Camaro, corvairs, Nova's all pretty much work except for the hub. But that a easy fix.

I got this far on a stock 67 wheel and it's been sitting for 2 years.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=799275

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=795131

[Hotcorner]

Are the 15” repops stiff? The 17s are pretty flexy.

['68OrangeSunshine]

For manual steering, the wider circumference of the OEM wheels is best -- you get the most leverage. '67-'68 = 16.5'' and '69 - '72 = 17''.

[rechinca]

Aside from the steering wheel, that’s a fantastic truck you have there! I love the color combo and the fact you have kept it as a 3OTT. I did the same but opted to upgrade to manual.

[franken]

I had a Camaro w/ a Grant wheel on it and the horn button would stick down. I tend to look for GM wheels and if possible wrap them in leather from wheelskins.com. Possible meaning that some wheels have large spokes so the stitching doesn't work well. On an older skinny or hard wheel, I'd first wrap it in rubber, say from an inner tube to make it soft like a modern wheel, then wrap it in leather.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by franken

I had a Camaro w/ a Grant wheel on it and the horn button would stick down. I tend to look for GM wheels and if possible wrap them in leather from wheelskins.com. Possible meaning that some wheels have large spokes so the stitching doesn't work well. On an older skinny or hard wheel, I'd first wrap it in rubber, say from an inner tube to make it soft like a modern wheel, then wrap it in leather.

I wrapped a stock wheel on a '67 K/10 Suburban in 1/2'' i.d, 1-1/4'' o.d. foam pipe insulation and then taped it over with friction tape. Helped slap the wheel around with Armstrong Steering. That 4wd Sub was a beast at low speed.
Grant wheels... Never again. I had one come off the steering column in my hand in traffic. They should be outlawed.

[03BlkZ]

Originally Posted by rechinca

Aside from the steering wheel, that’s a fantastic truck you have there! I love the color combo and the fact you have kept it as a 3OTT. I did the same but opted to upgrade to manual.

Thanks! I have ordered the GM Comfort grip wheel.

[72-CH]

I just put the repop 15 inch from Brother on my truck and it is very well put together. I would highly recommend it if you are wanting to keep the original look.

[Lethal Tendencies]

I am the same size as you. Went with a 14" wheel off ebay. I also installed a shorter steering column. There is a thread here somewhere that shows you how you can move the stock steering column closer to the dash and gaining you another 2"

[EagleChief]

Looks like I'm a tad late, but here's my set up for thoughts. I have a 71/72 wheel and an early 80's wheel. I ended up going with the 80's version, mainly because I wanted a little more room. I'm 6'3" 240 and the 71/72 wheel was just too big. I think the 80's wheel is roughly 15"? I like it so far, although I haven't driven it yet.

[Hotcorner]

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[03BlkZ]

Originally Posted by EagleChief

Looks like I'm a tad late, but here's my set up for thoughts. I have a 71/72 wheel and an early 80's wheel. I ended up going with the 80's version, mainly because I wanted a little more room. I'm 6'3" 240 and the 71/72 wheel was just too big. I think the 80's wheel is roughly 15"? I like it so far, although I haven't driven it yet.

That is the exact wheel my dad replaced the original with back in the 80's.