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Hi All - long time listener, first time caller. I just bought a 1966 F100 that has a modified interior, including a tilt column by Ididit and a smaller (15"?) banjo steering wheel. I'd like to replace the wheel with something more like the original 17", like this:
Problem is, the steering column looks to have a much wider end and I'm doubtful it will accept that classic wheel. The truck is being shipped to me now, so won't be able to measure for another couple weeks. Any experts in here who can give me a point in the right direction? Thanks in advance.
You might want to check with Ididit to see what’s compatible, or if an adapter is needed. Generally, I don’t like the look of aftermarket steering wheels. Con2R makes custom steering wheels, which can be made to look like stock. Welcome to FTE.
Congratulations. Looks like it could be a nice truck.
I would definitely start with Ididit, if you haven't already. They have a bunch of adapters for their products. Just give them a call. I used their column, and found then very helpful with my application.
Also, you might want to wait until you get the truck. That larger wheel might set up different than the banjo. The wheel dish is much deeper, so it might put it too close to you. Or possibly they have adapters of different lengths to get that sorted. Based on the shifter console I see in the background, the PO put some time in setting this all up, and swapping the wheel without some planning may throw it off.
Update: spoke to Ididit and a few others, and there seems to be general agreement that there's no way to get back to a classic Ford steering wheel without pulling the entire column. Best advice I got was from Mory at Flashpower (referral from Ididit). They have a number of 9-pin wood steering wheels in 15, 16, and 17" diameters that, while not the original look, are a bit closer. Will probably go that route until I'm out of other projects...
When I bought my ididIt col they had one specifically to use OEM Ford steering wheel. You had to buy that model if you wanted to keep the Ford steering wheel.
When I decided to give my 1966 F100 a makeover, I mapped out what I wanted to do and tried to guess what the changes I had in mind would do to the ergonomics. There are so many things to consider. Does the truck have power steering? power disc brakes? air conditioning? seatbelts? aftermarket seating? How old are you? Do you expect to keep the truck for a long time? I'm not trying to get personal, but when I bought my truck in 2010 it had none of these things and I could see into the future and realize that as a 76 year old (as I am now) I would no longer want to deal with the 17 inch wheel and no power steering. For various reasons I wanted to ditch my uncomfortable OE factory bench seat and I managed to squeeze in the high backed buckets with integrated seatbelts, etc from a 1991 F150 extended cab. Of course, the home designed new seat mounts threw off the seat height measurements, meaning it was tough for me to slide under that 17 inch wheel and I am not a particularly excess food challenged person. Plus the stock wheel "dish" had that sucker right in my face. So a smaller 15 inch wheel with no dish was a move to improve drivng comfort. This is just a little observation about the laws of unintended consequences from someone who has struggled with a lot of them. Hope you enjoy your "new" F100!
Thanks SuperSabre - all good advice. There’s definitely a domino effect. My plan is to get the bench seat in, which I know I want to do, and see what kind of space I’m working with. No power steering, unfortunately.
But was able to pick up this 66 bench from DVAP. Off to the upholstery shop…
You live in Connecticut and had the bench seat shipped from Arizona? That's a good distance. Might be more miles than that bench seat had made in a while. That's one huge junk yard in the desert. Click the link for a satellite view.....
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