Does size matter?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Does size matter?
...steering wheel size, that is.
I asked this question in another post but no one responded, so here it is again. I'm still planning my 48 F-3. I'm using an 87 Chrysler tilt column and I already have a steering wheel adapter for a cheap *** grant steering wheel. The only question now is what size wheel is best for these old trucks. I will have power steering, so effort is not a problem, but I don't want the interior to look like a dragster with a tiny steering wheel either. So, what diameter steering wheels (cheap *** or classy) are you guys running and what size do you think looks best in the cockpit of a 48 F-3? If you want to offer opinions on styles, that's okay too. My truck will have a very basic interior with NO billlit and few frills
I asked this question in another post but no one responded, so here it is again. I'm still planning my 48 F-3. I'm using an 87 Chrysler tilt column and I already have a steering wheel adapter for a cheap *** grant steering wheel. The only question now is what size wheel is best for these old trucks. I will have power steering, so effort is not a problem, but I don't want the interior to look like a dragster with a tiny steering wheel either. So, what diameter steering wheels (cheap *** or classy) are you guys running and what size do you think looks best in the cockpit of a 48 F-3? If you want to offer opinions on styles, that's okay too. My truck will have a very basic interior with NO billlit and few frills
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Vern
Slap a tape measure around that turkey stuffed belly or yours and get back to us.
There are too many variables if you are a big guy. I'd mock the column in place before I ever bought a wheel. About a 14-15 seems to be standard rodware. Much under that starts looking a little drag car-ish.
Slap a tape measure around that turkey stuffed belly or yours and get back to us.
There are too many variables if you are a big guy. I'd mock the column in place before I ever bought a wheel. About a 14-15 seems to be standard rodware. Much under that starts looking a little drag car-ish.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: Peoria, IL (more or less)
Vern,
Speaking from personal exp., a 13" is very awkward even w/PS. You feel as if your wrists are constantly crossed over each other. Also, when you hit a bump the wheel whips back & forth excessively. IMHO a 13" or even 14" might look a little lost in a truck cab.
The Chrysler column might be a little tough to adapt a decent-looking older OEM wheel to it, but aftermarket should be no problem. If yer not crazy about billet or cheap *** Grant wheels, or a banjo, Moon has some decent "nostalgia" wheels that aren't bad, kind of '60s retro, 3 spoke, white rims, etc. Might go pretty well with baby moon hubcaps, primer paint, fuzzy dice & so on. OTOH they would look like crap with virtually any other style. LeCarra has some non-billet styles that are nice as well.
Speaking from personal exp., a 13" is very awkward even w/PS. You feel as if your wrists are constantly crossed over each other. Also, when you hit a bump the wheel whips back & forth excessively. IMHO a 13" or even 14" might look a little lost in a truck cab.
The Chrysler column might be a little tough to adapt a decent-looking older OEM wheel to it, but aftermarket should be no problem. If yer not crazy about billet or cheap *** Grant wheels, or a banjo, Moon has some decent "nostalgia" wheels that aren't bad, kind of '60s retro, 3 spoke, white rims, etc. Might go pretty well with baby moon hubcaps, primer paint, fuzzy dice & so on. OTOH they would look like crap with virtually any other style. LeCarra has some non-billet styles that are nice as well.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, AZ
Vern,
I have a 13" (cheap ***) Grant wheel with stock steering. I've used it for 2 years and it's time for a bigger wheel. I'm going with a 15". I wouldn't recommend anything smaller.
Good Luck
Dennis
I have a 13" (cheap ***) Grant wheel with stock steering. I've used it for 2 years and it's time for a bigger wheel. I'm going with a 15". I wouldn't recommend anything smaller.
Good Luck
Dennis
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
[QUOTE]Originally posted by fatfenders
[B]Vern
Slap a tape measure around that turkey stuffed belly or yours and get back to us.
I measure 36 inches across my turkey stuffed middle and I'm 6'2'', or I used to be. I think I might have shrunk to about 6'1' now.
Thank you all for the comments. I was thinking in the neighborhood of 14-15 inches would be about the right diameter. Now I have to figure out how to let John down easy. I was all ready to buy his cheap *** Grant, but it's a 13 inch wheel. The price is certainly right for my budget built truck but I don't want any resemblance made to a dragster. I don't suppose anybody else out there might have a 14-15 inch cheap *** Grant hanging in their garage that they want to let go of that perhaps you've replaced with a classy Lecarra...
[B]Vern
Slap a tape measure around that turkey stuffed belly or yours and get back to us.
I measure 36 inches across my turkey stuffed middle and I'm 6'2'', or I used to be. I think I might have shrunk to about 6'1' now.
Thank you all for the comments. I was thinking in the neighborhood of 14-15 inches would be about the right diameter. Now I have to figure out how to let John down easy. I was all ready to buy his cheap *** Grant, but it's a 13 inch wheel. The price is certainly right for my budget built truck but I don't want any resemblance made to a dragster. I don't suppose anybody else out there might have a 14-15 inch cheap *** Grant hanging in their garage that they want to let go of that perhaps you've replaced with a classy Lecarra...
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Vern
Are you assembled enough to make an informed decision yet? I am running a 13 1/2 CAG. While I prefer the look of a 14-15, I'm not so sure I would like the leg clearance I would get without putting the tilt at an ackward angle. I know I wouldn't like a big wheel (in my truck as currently configured) if I was much larger than my 5'11" 140lb-150lb-160lb-165lb (I've suddenly started growing again after age 40?)
Anyhoo, you can't make a comfort decision unless your seat and column are in place. My seat is overstuffed. Not sure what your issues may be. Saying I'll just move my column later and actually doing it are two different things. Box angles, interference issues and your wallet start dictating where a particular column is going to be installed. A comfortable wheel fit is very important to me. I'll compromise the wheel diameter a bit in a heartbeat for a good fit. Glad I could make this just as complicated as possible for ya.
Later, gotta get some work done today for a change.
Are you assembled enough to make an informed decision yet? I am running a 13 1/2 CAG. While I prefer the look of a 14-15, I'm not so sure I would like the leg clearance I would get without putting the tilt at an ackward angle. I know I wouldn't like a big wheel (in my truck as currently configured) if I was much larger than my 5'11" 140lb-150lb-160lb-165lb (I've suddenly started growing again after age 40?)
Anyhoo, you can't make a comfort decision unless your seat and column are in place. My seat is overstuffed. Not sure what your issues may be. Saying I'll just move my column later and actually doing it are two different things. Box angles, interference issues and your wallet start dictating where a particular column is going to be installed. A comfortable wheel fit is very important to me. I'll compromise the wheel diameter a bit in a heartbeat for a good fit. Glad I could make this just as complicated as possible for ya.
Later, gotta get some work done today for a change.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Well, I bit the bullet and bought a brand new cheap *** Grant steering wheel to go with my cheap *** grant adapter kit. I found that the used prices on Ebay were so close to new prices I just took the plunge and bought new. I picked up a #769 Grant GT for $55. It's a 14 inch wheel with a 3.5 inch dish. I think it will work fine. Now, the next thing I want to do is cover that GT horn emblem with a blue Ford oval. Anybody know how I can do that?
Thanks again for the advise...
Thanks again for the advise...
