The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Modernize steering wheel on '54 GMC 1/2 ton 5 window

Hi guys
Anybody had any eperience with changing from the original steering wheel to something more modern? I'm trying to keep my truck original but this wheel is just too big.....18-19 inches? I want to put something from a newer GMC so I can retain the logo and have more room behind the wheel? Are the splines pretty much the same on all GM trucks? And will a boneyard sell a wheel seperate or do they want to keep the column intact? Thanks Bolters, Terry1218 PS I found a couple on ebay that would look trick on my truck...will keep y'all informed.

The reason for the large wheels is that you need leverage to park the truck and at low speeds. You will find it even harder to park with a smaller wheel unless you have added power steering.

I like the big wheel, even with power steering. Only need one finger on the rim to turn it while standing still. No problems at speed either, and the best part is it looks original, because it is.

Grigg

Terry,
Interesting you bringing this up . . I've was on-line yesterday looking to update my steering wheel to something smaller. I too would like to shrink my wheel a few inches but am concerned about handling at lower speeds and parking.
My wheel measures 18" O.D. So I'm looking to put no less then a 15" replacement in.
This should give me a bit more room but allow for the same expectations for handling.

As far as fitting a newer wheel on the old steering shaft. Grant and I’m sure other manufactures have installation kits to adapt to older splines for about $6. So don’t be to worried about fit at first. Just find something you like then look for the adapter kit for the wheel.

Also, if you were to pick one up from a bone yard, someone on here once told me that GM wheels from the ‘60s will work on the old bolts. I’m sure we’ll get confirmation about this from one of the experts here.

Good luck
HC

Any GM wheel up through the 80's will fit, they have the same spline.
Fred

Without power steering, unless you have massive arms, you'll probably have trouble at low speed. You need the leverage unless you install power steering somehow. I know the one drawback of the large wheel, at least in my case, when I was pushing 300 pounds I'd get a wheel burn on my stomach, LOL. Lost about 70 pounds and solved that problem though.

Something else to consider here is the offset of the newer (60's and later) steering wheels. Most have an offset that puts the steering wheel 2 or 3" closer to your chest. I'm looking at steering wheels on E-bay from the mid 50's and older that would prolly work better and have no offset. I saw an accessory wheel from a '51 Bel Air a couple weeks ago, beautiful, but pricey!!

There is another choice. You can cut the top part off of a steering shaft that fits the wheel you want to use and weld it to the bottom part of the shaft of your existing steering box. I adapted my 37 steering wheel to a 41-46 box by using that method. It worked out fine and I can keep my stock steering wheel with the better steering box.

Joe :crazy:

You can also get Wheelskins to make you a custom leather steering wheel cover if you want to just improve the looks of what you've got.

I got one from a Fiero, it's flat, 3 spoke, and looks a lot like the original only smaller. I put a Camaro horn button on it with the bowtie center. I have PS so it works out well.
Fred