steering wheel compatibility
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steering wheel compatibility
looking for some info on oem steering wheels. I have a 73 f250 cs, steering wheel severly cracked. I got one from early 80's ford p/u with ignition switch built into the column, it would not fit onto the shaft, I have noticed mid to late 70's truck steering wheels have a different shaped horn pad, I am not looking for an exact match, just an inexpensive junk yard replacement
thanks
Jeff
thanks
Jeff
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Ford changed the steering columns and wheels in 1978, I believe. You'll need a wheel from a '73 to '77 or change the entire column to use a later model. Another option is a restoration kit, which is what I'm going to do with my '76 wheel:
Complete Steering Wheel Restoration Kit
I've never seen a '73 to '77 wheel that wasn't cracked. I owned a '73 in 1980 and the wheel was already cracked. Heat and sunlight aren't kind to them.
Complete Steering Wheel Restoration Kit
I've never seen a '73 to '77 wheel that wasn't cracked. I owned a '73 in 1980 and the wheel was already cracked. Heat and sunlight aren't kind to them.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Pleasant Hill, Mo.
Jeff, thanks for bringing this thread up. I have a 73 f250 with a cracked steering wheel. I put on a wheel from a 78 or 79 and have a few issues with it. I had to tighten the crap out of the nut just to get the wheel to reach the horn contact. The steering wheel has slop when you pull it up or down. I have been told I forgot to put a part in there but, I think they are not compatable. I think if I yank the wheel off and mess with the shaft a bit it could work. Maybe someone could chime in and give us more knowledge.
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From: DAHLONEGA, GA
The PO of my 74 F250 CS said he put a 71 steering wheel on it. It is not cracked, but the turn signal does not auto shut off. I will eventually replace this, but that will be a little down the line. First project will be to rebuild the Automatic undercarriage rust inhibitor system, otherwise known as a worn out 360. 
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From: Waterloo IL
I installed an 86 Lariat wheel on my 1977 F-150. The 86 Lariat wheel is basically the same as a 78/79 wheel but its leather (or similar material) wrapped.
It took some mods though. The 78-86 wheel has a flat spot in the splines that I knocked out with a round file. The 77 and earlier wheel has a metal bracket with 2 tabs clamped on the back that cancels the turn signals. That piece has to be moved to the new wheel but the area it clamps on the new wheel is too large so you have to grind it down to match the diamter of the 77 and earlier wheel. Then once that is done you will have a gap between the wheel and steering column. Its not super noticable unless you look at it at a right angle but I still didn't like it. Just grind the back aluminum housing of the wheel down so it doesn't bottom out so soon. Done. Here's the pic before I cleaned the wheel.
It took some mods though. The 78-86 wheel has a flat spot in the splines that I knocked out with a round file. The 77 and earlier wheel has a metal bracket with 2 tabs clamped on the back that cancels the turn signals. That piece has to be moved to the new wheel but the area it clamps on the new wheel is too large so you have to grind it down to match the diamter of the 77 and earlier wheel. Then once that is done you will have a gap between the wheel and steering column. Its not super noticable unless you look at it at a right angle but I still didn't like it. Just grind the back aluminum housing of the wheel down so it doesn't bottom out so soon. Done. Here's the pic before I cleaned the wheel.
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