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Old May 27, 2005 | 01:53 PM
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Steering Wheels

Will a steering whell from a 1983 funcion properly on a 1973?
 
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Old May 27, 2005 | 02:03 PM
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I don't think so
 
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Old May 27, 2005 | 03:30 PM
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Yes, a 83 steering wheel will work on a 73, but it won't fit properly. There will be about a half inch gap between the steering wheel and the steering column. The 73-77 trucks used a different style steering wheel than the 78-79 and early 80s trucks. I found this out when I installed a 79 steering wheel on my 73. I figured that a 79 steering wheel would fit on a 73 because it is the same body style, but I was wrong. However, even with the gap between the wheel and the column, that 79 steering wheel looks better on my 73 than the aftermarket steering wheel that was on it when I bought it!
 
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Old May 31, 2005 | 08:06 AM
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I have also heard that the turn signal cam may not work, does anyone know if that is true?

Thanks,
Don
 
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Old Jun 1, 2005 | 08:56 AM
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I have a mid 80's wheel on my 77, I had to modify it to fit over the shaft, escapes me what I had to do though. But anyways the turn signals do not shut off, I have to do that manually, on the 77 whell there were two ***** that tripped the turn signals to turn off, the mid 80's wheel does not have this, thus why I have to manually turn them off after a turn, the wheel looks better and is smaller thent he 77 wheel so I live with it.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2005 | 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by 460_Sprout
But anyways the turn signals do not shut off, I have to do that manually, on the 77 whell there were two ***** that tripped the turn signals to turn off, the mid 80's wheel does not have this...
My '78 doesn't have that either. The cams are in the column and easily replaced.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2005 | 12:50 PM
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So an early 80's steering wheel will fit on a 78-79? I have a 79 and wouldn't mind this option..

Ian
 
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Old Jun 1, 2005 | 06:19 PM
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Slow, I have a 73 F100 with a tilting collum from a 79 model truck. I bolted an early 80's model directly to my collum last night. No problems with fit, turn signals or anything. Cruise also still works like it should.
Mike
 
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Old Jun 1, 2005 | 06:55 PM
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I think there are differences though between 73 and 79 steering columns. If the wheel won't go all the way down and fit flush with the column, the turn signal cancel won't work.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 12:05 AM
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I believe the steering columns changed in '78, and I think the '78-'86 trucks have the same steering wheel.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 08:31 AM
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The steeing wheels on the 80 up trucks have a flat spot to locate the wheel straight, the older ones do not have this, so you would have to modify the column or the wheel to get it to bolt on ok. This was done to be able to get the wheel sitting centered after an alignment is what I was told.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 08:33 AM
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Thanks for all the responses, I will try to find a nice 73-79 steering wheel!
 
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 10:50 AM
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That would be 73-76 steering wheel.
77-79 are different
 
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Old Jun 3, 2005 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by dreadinger
I have also heard that the turn signal cam may not work, does anyone know if that is true?

Thanks,
Don
Yes, that is true. I have to manually turn off the turn signals on my 73 now that I have the 79 steering wheel on it.
 
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