Steering wheel help needed

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May 6, 2012 | 11:53 AM

petemcl

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From: Northville, MI

Steering wheel help needed

It is time for me to replace the old, cracked steering wheel on my '50 F-2 V-8. I have seen somewhere on this forum a 4-spoke steering wheel. The spokes looked pretty evenly spaced like a model T steering wheel. Does anyone know where I can find one of those? I looked on line and didn't see one like that. Lots of 4 spoke wheels but none evenly spaced around the rim. The choices are mind boggling.

May 7, 2012 | 12:42 AM

AXracer

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From: Durham NC

I'n ot sure where to look for the style wheel you are describing, I'd likely start with Grant, they are one of the larger manufacturers and offer a lot of nostalgia type designs. The simple 4 spoke design is sometimes called "sprint car" style. I would recommend carefully watching the wheel diameter. Many/most replacement wheels, especially the less expensive ones are aimed at the tuner market and are small diameter, ~ 13". A small wheel can look out of place and make the steering more difficult. If you are going to be using OEM manual steering you'll want one in the 16"+ range. Also realize you will lose the horn in the middle of the wheel function with an aftermarket wheel, none that I know of will work with the Ford wiring system, so you'll need to add a switch or push button somewhere else. To get you started, Speedway Motors Speedway Motors - Street Rod Parts, Race Parts, Ford Flathead Parts, Sprint and Midget Racing Parts, Pedal Car Parts offers a 4 even spaced stainless steel spoked wheels, in a 15" and a 17" version they call their "competition" design.

May 7, 2012 | 06:42 AM

petemcl

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Quote:

Originally Posted by AXracer

Thanks AX. You have the right idea and Speedway was one go the first places that I looked, but I did not see the 4-spoke "competition" wheels because they do not have a Ford adapter so they got filtered out. And I agree that 16" is the lowest size that I want to go. I do like the road feel that you get with "Armstrong" steering but there is a limit.

I also do not want to lose the center horn button. The other look that I liked was Grant's Banjo style but it looks like those are all 14 3/4" wheels. If you see anything like that please let me know.

Thanks again,

May 7, 2012 | 01:25 PM

AXracer

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I suspect that you will need to compromise your wishes. Like I said, you are not going to find an aftermarket wheel that uses the early Ford horn button system. Mid fifty sells a conversion kit for the 53-56 column, don't know if it would work on your column, but you could call them and ask.
Speedway sells an adapter for your column, but you'd have to ask them if it would work with their competition wheel, but I don't think the competition wheel has a horn button.
I think the only way you will get everything you want is to find a wheel you like with a horn button then have a machine shop make an adapter for it.

I'm using the Grant 3 spoke banjo wheel, but I'm also using the Toyota PS box and an Ididit tilt column with an Ididit Grant adapter.
Good luck in your search and be sure to post whatever you decide to go with for others.

May 7, 2012 | 01:30 PM

AXracer

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Oh, one other option would be to cut your steering shaft and splice on a different upper shaft from a column that has an adapter available for the wheel you want to use then modify your outer jacket to bring the horn wires out the side.

May 7, 2012 | 04:40 PM

petemcl

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Quote:

Originally Posted by AXracer

I'm using the Grant 3 spoke banjo wheel, but I'm also using the Toyota PS box and an Ididit tilt column with an Ididit Grant adapter.
Good luck in your search and be sure to post whatever you decide to go with for others.

Yes, everything is pointing to that being the best option.

Thanks,

May 7, 2012 | 07:35 PM

AXracer

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I know you said you don't mind the OEM manual box, but if you put in the Toy PS box, you'll love it. The tilt column will let you adjust the wheel out the "bus driver" driving position.