What later model steering wheel fits the 87?

[Skunksmash]

I am trying to figure out which steering wheel i can use. I want to use the style of steering wheel that can be found in the bodystyle that came after the 73-87. You know, those black steering wheels that might typically be found in say a 92 truck. This will be going on an 87. I have seen a lot of guys do this, but what i am trying to find out is which year model i need to scavenge the new steering wheel from. I want to make sure it is a perfect fit, cause more than likely i will be buying it off of eBay. Does anyone know what model i need to get one off of, to go on an 87?

[yrik]

I think any 88 and up non-airbag wheel from a chevy truck or full size van will fit.  I have used them off an 88, 90, and a 94.  Hope this helps

[zieg85]

one off a 92 Cavalier or Lumina looks nice as well

[Captkaos]

ANY GM wheel that is not Airbag equipped will fit.

[Skunksmash]

Awesome! Nice that they are so universal. You can get 'em for around 40 bucks on ebay, and it sure beats the factory school bus steering wheel.

[Dragon]

Actually even the Airbag Models will fit, but I wouldn't suggest trying to mount one with a Non-Blown Bag......   GM kept the same design I believe all the way back to the Late 1950s'/Early 60's, to Current....   Just be aware that there were different size splines, depending on what the wheel came out of, IE the Smaller/Mid-Sized Cars(Nova's/Vega's/Etc) had the option of having a smaller diameter spline, depending on what they were optioned with(Non-V8 Models and such)..... Some of the Larger Capacity Pickup's/Vans/Etc, also had a larger spline than ours as well...

Also note, changing the Diameter of the Wheel itself, will make a difference with how you and your steering will respond....  Just something to keep in mind, if you are making the changes to a Lifted, or Lowered Truck, as it's not something everyone figures out right away(Just Be Careful).....

[JJSZABO]

Also note, changing the Diameter of the Wheel itself, will make a difference with how you and your steering will respond....  Just something to keep in mind, if you are making the changes to a Lifted, or Lowered Truck, as it's not something everyone figures out right away(Just Be Careful).....

Good point.  I installed a 13 inch diameter wheel on mine and noticed a difference in turning.  I don't know if I like it.  I may switch back to a 15 inch wheel.

[Skunksmash]

This wheel is an inch smaller, i think. Heck i dont know it may not be any smaller at all, but it sure looks and feels better. Its hard to tell by looking at it if it is in fact any smaller. As for the airbag wheels, i dont think they match up where they meet the column itself. Sure they may fit it, but i dont know if they would look right as they would surely pooch out on each side where as the one i am putting on will not. Might look to noticeably funky.

[ccz145a]

post pics when you can

[Dragon]

Also note, changing the Diameter of the Wheel itself, will make a difference with how you and your steering will respond....  Just something to keep in mind, if you are making the changes to a Lifted, or Lowered Truck, as it's not something everyone figures out right away(Just Be Careful).....

Good point.  I installed a 13 inch diameter wheel on mine and noticed a difference in turning.  I don't know if I like it.  I may switch back to a 15 inch wheel.

Swapping in a smaller Diameter Wheel is what I learned from my Father,Grandfather, and Automotive Instructors, basically they would tell me the easiest way to get a little faster steering movement with a Car/Truck/etc, without replacing the gearbox...  They all used to warn me not to put in too small of a wheel in, as that was just an accident waiting to happen, during the wrong situations(IE Bad Weather, Traffic Incidents,Terrain,Etc)....  Was taught that generally a car or 2wd Truck/Etc, a 13-14" is optimal, and a 14-15" for a 4wd Truck/Etc....  When I first got my '77, I replaced it with a thin wrapped 14-15" 3-spoke GM Sport Wheel, out of a '78 Lesabre....  I wanted a smaller diameter Sport Wheel, but I didn't want anything smaller than 14", for Safety and Comfort (steering responds a little quicker, I can get in & Out with the wheel positioned Comfortably to me... Never been a Fan of Driving anything under 10,000 Lbs, and having the wheel tilted towards the Dash, like you would in a COE/School/Transit Bus( If I'm gunna drive a truck like that, just give me a COE Freight, and I'll be Happy!!!))...     

As for the airbag wheels, i dont think they match up where they meet the column itself. Sure they may fit it, but i dont know if they would look right as they would surely pooch out on each side where as the one i am putting on will not. Might look to noticeably funky.

The only thing that makes the Airbag sit away from the column, is the SIR Clock Spring Coil, that mounts under the wheel, and above the Column Lock Plate.... So yeah if that is missing, it can look a bit funky.....  There is a Plastic Lock Plate Cover that generally disappears quickly off of the '79-90 Columns, but it actually fills the gap nicely, and makes it look "Factory"

[Skunksmash]

So yeah if that is missing, it can look a bit funky.....  There is a Plastic Lock Plate Cover that generally disappears quickly off of the '79-90 Columns, but it actually fills the gap nicely, and makes it look "Factory"

I will have to look into that and see what it looks like.

[zieg85]

The Cavalier wheel looks good as well.  Got mine for $30 at the pick n pull

[zieg85]

I'll take a picture of the Lumina wheel on my 85 tomorrow and post it.  I actually like that one better.

[Skunksmash]

We sure do like to mix and match stuff 

[Dragon]

So yeah if that is missing, it can look a bit funky.....  There is a Plastic Lock Plate Cover that generally disappears quickly off of the '79-90 Columns, but it actually fills the gap nicely, and makes it look "Factory"

I will have to look into that and see what it looks like.

It's basically a Plastic Dust Cover, to help keep any foreign debris out of the column internals.....  The Downside, is I am not aware of any Aftermarket Manufacturer(I would contact Ididit, and ask them if they offer a dust cover for under the wheel itself, for one of their replacement columns) that actually makes a replacement, and I doubt that a GM Stealership would have any available either(Best Bet would be a Local U-Pull, but even then they are generally pretty brittle with age)....

We sure do like to mix and match stuff 

That's all in the process of Customizing one's vehicle to make it more theirs   Most of us like cars and trucks that were made available for sale, way before some were able to drive, or even born, so Customizing them a bit, allows us to have it the way we would have ordered them new....