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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Steering Columns => Topic started by: Skunksmash on December 23, 2010, 06:59:51 pm

Title: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: Skunksmash on December 23, 2010, 06:59:51 pm
I know this has been asked before, but I can't remember where and when. I took the grandpa steering wheel that these trucks come with off, and replaced it with one of those newer ones that came in some of the newer trucks and burbs. The one with the 4 "spokes" in it, and a white outline of the chevy logo in the middle. Now that one does seem a lot better and a little smaller than the old man one that came in these trucks. But... I just cant shake the feeling that the one that I got is still just too big.

I have the tilt steering wheel option, but I just like to slide on in, and out, of the truck. I don't like to always be adjusting the wheel. I'm not overweight or anything, but I can just tell that this wheel is too big. What other models can I look at? I know that the 91-95 chevy vans had some kind of wheel that will fit, but what others are there? The older cavaliers perhaps? Anyone happen to know what I should be looking for, if I'm looking for a smaller wheel that looks factory?
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: 78 Chevyrado on December 23, 2010, 07:03:02 pm
Pretty much anything without an air bag will swap back to the 60's I think.   If you're not sure, take your old wheel with you and if you find a wheel you like, take it off and see if your old wheel fits the junkyard cars column.  Junkyards will let you take stuff in with you, just make sure they mark it so you don't have to pay to get your old wheel back out.
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: zieg85 on December 23, 2010, 07:04:19 pm
Any GM wheel just as long as it isn't from a telescopic column up to when they went to airbags.  I am partial to the 94 Lumina wheel I have is mine.
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: 1980c10 on December 24, 2010, 12:54:12 am
I have a '94 s10 blazer wheel. it is a little smaller diameter and has a little less dish to it. It isn't a lot a difference if you measure it but it feels like a lot. The lumina wheel is a good looking wheel too.
(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/titera1/DSCN0429.jpg)
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: Skunksmash on December 26, 2010, 09:27:47 pm
Pretty much anything without an air bag will swap back to the 60's I think.   If you're not sure, take your old wheel with you and if you find a wheel you like, take it off and see if your old wheel fits the junkyard cars column.  Junkyards will let you take stuff in with you, just make sure they mark it so you don't have to pay to get your old wheel back out.

Ok so maybe what I should be asking is, when did they start putting in the airbags? Maybe if I knew that, I could just surf the web looking at all the stuff that would fit, before a certain year. I think it was like... 1995 or something like that. Anyone happen to know? Might end up having to call the local chevy dealer.
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: zieg85 on December 26, 2010, 09:47:15 pm
All I can tell you as both the truck and lumina, 94's didn't and 95's had airbags.  If you needed to go smaller the older camaro looks good but hard to find one that isn't sticky.  The 92 Cavalier looks decent as well.  Had them all in at one time or another...
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: 1980c10 on December 26, 2010, 10:54:10 pm
Pretty much anything without an air bag will swap back to the 60's I think.   If you're not sure, take your old wheel with you and if you find a wheel you like, take it off and see if your old wheel fits the junkyard cars column.  Junkyards will let you take stuff in with you, just make sure they mark it so you don't have to pay to get your old wheel back out.

Ok so maybe what I should be asking is, when did they start putting in the airbags? Maybe if I knew that, I could just surf the web looking at all the stuff that would fit, before a certain year. I think it was like... 1995 or something like that. Anyone happen to know? Might end up having to call the local chevy dealer.
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: Skunksmash on December 27, 2010, 02:18:26 pm
All I can tell you as both the truck and lumina, 94's didn't and 95's had airbags.  If you needed to go smaller the older camaro looks good but hard to find one that isn't sticky.  The 92 Cavalier looks decent as well.  Had them all in at one time or another...

Nice thanks. My current steering wheel has a 14.5" diameter. Guess I'm looking for something like a 13". Just something a little smaller.
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: Skunksmash on December 27, 2010, 07:58:42 pm
Here's a cool one:

From a 94 cavalier. I think I'll go with this one, as it looks good and its gotta be smaller. Since its from a cavvy.
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: zieg85 on December 27, 2010, 08:08:20 pm
That is the one I had on one of my previous Chevy's.  Nice soft feel, you will like it.
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: Skunksmash on December 28, 2010, 02:20:15 pm
Do you happen to remember what the diameter of that wheel was?

Also, why did you end up changing it over to something else?
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: zieg85 on December 28, 2010, 04:44:41 pm
Don't remember off hand, thinking it was in the range of 13".  Put the stock one on when we sold the truck.  It was my son's purchase, he found it on our local Craigslist so we put it on while he was driving the truck.  Him being 6'3" it helped getting in and out even with the tilt column I had in there.  He then sold it at a swap meet for more than he bought it for.  I will see if I have any pictures of it while it was on the truck.
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: lechez71 on December 29, 2010, 05:44:33 pm
Here's a cool one:

From a 94 cavalier. I think I'll go with this one, as it looks good and its gotta be smaller. Since its from a cavvy.
do you know what the diamter of this wheel is?i have a 91 silverado wheel in my truck and it cloae to hitting my legs. it measures 15 1/2. im looking to getting a smaller one thanks
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: Skunksmash on December 30, 2010, 01:59:06 am
The guy above your post says its around 13". Sounds about right for me, since my wheel seems to be a little over 14".

Anyone happen to know off hand how big those typical GT Grant aftermarket wheels are? I'm thinking those things are about 13" as well. It would be nice to have a reference.
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: ChevyRob on December 30, 2010, 08:31:12 pm
There are tons of different sizes from Grant. I have a 10" grant on my 80 c10, I love the tiny wheel. They have a 12" which is smaller then stock, and not so small. The Grants that I see most frequently are 14".
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: Skunksmash on December 30, 2010, 09:45:47 pm
I have a '94 s10 blazer wheel. it is a little smaller diameter and has a little less dish to it. It isn't a lot a difference if you measure it but it feels like a lot. The lumina wheel is a good looking wheel too.
(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/titera1/DSCN0429.jpg)


I have that exact same wheel on my truck. Only instead of the red "Chevrolet" in the middle, there is just a while outline of the chevy logo.
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: Skunksmash on February 07, 2011, 11:22:02 am
Only problem is, when you start shrinking your steering wheel, you run into problems being able to see your gauges well. The factory wheel was designed so big so you could see through it.
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: PromiseKeeper on April 16, 2012, 11:08:45 am
I picked up one of the 4 spoke wheels for my truck. The horn button has a wire that connects to a spade terminal coming out of it. How do I wire the horn to make it work in my '80? It has the cup looking metal contact. Thanks!
Title: Re: What other cars have steering wheels that will go on our trucks?
Post by: bake74 on April 17, 2012, 05:32:46 am
Only problem is, when you start shrinking your steering wheel, you run into problems being able to see your gauges well. The factory wheel was designed so big so you could see through it.

     That depends on how tall you are.  My 74 has a smaller steering wheel (aftermarket 14" I believe) and being a little over 6' I see my gauges just fine.