Wrong steering wheel for the job

[thejunkman]

So my 67 has a 15 inch grant steering wheel installed by a previous owner. Trouble is (aside from me hating the look), that I have no power steering and as I'm sure most of you know, it's near impossible to steer from a dead stop. This little wheel is not helping matters. The search feature didn't seem to work for me, but I am sure this question has been asked before. What was the diameter of the stock 67 steering wheel, and what other vehicles/years will work with my current column? My column is in pretty bad shape so it's going to need swapped, but I'm holding off until I decide how I want to build this truck (73-79 disk brake swap or cv swap, all that sort of fun stuff). So basically I'm just looking for a more practical decent looking wheel to get me through until then. My dad had a 69 f500 dump with no power steering. Knowing what I know now, I have a great deal of respect for him hauling a full load and backing up trailers down city alleys in that thing, haha. Anyway, if I remember it had a pretty large 3 spoke wheel. Where those the same wheels that came in our smaller trucks? I know mine would have had a 3 spoke, but I am referring more to the size.

[HIO Silver]

17-inch was the OEM diameter.

If ya haven't finalized your plans, consider getting a salvage yard 17-inch incher in the mean time. A repro is available for about $150... at the 'yards I go to steering wheels are $16.

Here's where to get a repro... read the accompanying text: http://www.falconparts.com/ford-falcon- ... 18p532.htm

[thejunkman]

Thanks for the info. I don't even know how much two inches is gonna help, but I'd like to give it a try. Only problem with yards around here is that nobody has any bumps. Only two Junkers I know of nearby, and the guy won't let them go. I was hoping a more common donor vehicle would work. But I measured the wheel in my 81 and its only 15 inches anyway even if it would fit. Guess I will keep my eyes peeled for comets and falcons too. Although those usually get scooped up fast.

[sargentrs]

If you're just looking for something to get by with, post in parts wanted section. I'm sure somebody here has an old wheel they'll part with if you don't mind a few cracks.

[jzjames]

Get your mind off the size of the wheel and rebuild your steering column. Get the bearings and everything staightened out.
Unless you have power steering, you will find the wheel hard to turn from a dead stop - no matter what the diameter.
A smaller wheel with a nice foam or padded grip will be just as easy to turn as a stock 17'' wheel.
But thats just my opinion mind you.

[Craigerf100]

i second the OEM steering wheel.

before:

after:


now doesnt she look better? and very funtional.

[thejunkman]

I know that nothing but power steering is gonna make turning from a dead stop easier. This certainly isn't my first time with manual steering. But either way I love the pics of the difference from the grant to OEM. What a transformation. I'm big on things that are OEM or at least period correct. Once this truck is parked in my shop for the winter I plan to decide what to do to it. But for the rest of the season ( two months at best), I'd just like to drive her. If I can make a couple little fixes in the mean time I'm all for that.

[colnago]

I found the tires to make a major difference with how easy it was to steer. When I bought my truck, it had very worn BFGs on it. After one of the sidewalls gave out, I replaced them with generic tires with a highway tread. Same size and width of tires. It made a night-and-day difference! I actually have the parts to convert to power steering, but after the tire swap, I don't think I need the PS conversion.

By the way, I love the looks of the original steering wheel! Even if I did the PS conversion, I'd keep the original steering wheel.

Joseph

[jzjames]

Here's a couple I like (from the gallery). Matter of taste I guess


.

[youngone]

jzjames love the door panels where did you get them? Red looks so nice with that seat.

Pat.