The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Steering Wheel Adapter Kit

Hi, I have a 1952 Chevy 3100 and would like to install a modern steering wheel, what adapter kit do I need?
Also how many splines are there?

Do you have power steering? If not, keep the big wheel.

Anthony - I think what Otto forgot to mention was the "why" concerning his suggestion. If you have the original non-power steering setup, you will find switching to a smaller diameter steering wheel is going to require a whole bunch of increased steering effort on your part. Think "Armstrong Steering", especially while trying to turn the wheel from a dead stop or slow driving in the somewhat narrower confines of some UK roads.

If you still want to pursue a change, let us know and some folks will probably be able to help you out with suggestions and answers to your questions.

BTW - The majority of Chevy steering columns used a 3/4" diameter 36 spline steering shaft, so you can usually use many different Chevy/GMC steering wheels. I'd have to do some web surfing to see about an adapter kit, but that would also involve knowing what the new steering wheel is you intend to use.

The GM truck splines are the same from 40's to 90's. What do you mean by "modern" and what do you hope to gain? just a little better look? The adapters you speak of are for wheels/colums like Ididit. So depending on if you use a donor Chevy/GMC truck wheel or aftermarket custom wheel, you may or may not need an adapter.
As said: the smaller the wheel the more lever force is needed. A steering wheel is a lever.

Hi

Thanks for the information, it is not powered steering as yet, will have power steering installed in the next 6 months, after the summer. However, I need a slightly smaller steering wheel, current steering wheel is original, yes I know it will mean more pulling and tugging at slow speeds, but it is too big and is at my chest, but for now a slightly smaller wheel would be good, current wheel out diameter is 18 inch so a 17 inch would be good. So need to know the adapter kit for it

As bartamos said, any Chevy truck steering wheel made into the 1990s will fit right on. No adapter kit needed.

Going from 18 to 17 will only give you 1/2 more clearance. When I had a wheel hit my "chest" I went with a 60's donor tilt column. Anyway give us the part number or some idea of what 17" wheel you are going to buy or already have. Pics would be good too. We can not advise an adapter without knowing that,

73-87 Truck wheel is 16". NO adapter needed, just horn guts. that will give 1" clearance.
Click

I used this one from LMC Truck. Getting the cheap style Horn button connected and staying on is a pain.
I should mention, that was for my ‘57 3200 along with power steering and tilt column. It only took one time backing out of a fast food parking stall to realize how much effort it took without p.s.

Backing and turning the steering wheel is easier than going forward and turning the steering wheel because of the caster built into the front suspension. Straightening out the wheel while backing would be harder.

Hi Thanks for the response.
It is not as easy getting parts in the UK as the USA, I would be looking at a basic steering wheel, as planning on removing the 3 on the tree and having power steering fitted and the end of the summer, want use of the truck during the summer, so a winter project, I have already purchased a Hurst competition floor shifter. As for a steering wheel something like a Grant Steering Wheels 677 16in Steel 3-1/8in Dish, so sure that this would need an adaptor, or anything that I could order say via Amazon.

Anthony - If you are set on ordering the Grant Steering Wheels 677 unit, just order the corresponding Installation Kit. Should give you what you need for the temporary new wheel install to the old column, until you get around to the power steering and column upgrade you mentioned later. Both available from Amazon. Best of luck with your project.

FYI - Your topic probably best fits in the Driveline forum as it more relates to your trucks steering equipment, so your thread has been moved there for further conversation and help.