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Reading the post on removal, makes me ask a embrassing question. I have a large storage container for consumer beer. (Fat Belly) This seems to make a tight fit behind the wheel. My seat seems to be back as far as possible. I think I have a coule of options:
1. stop drinking and loose weight
I posted on this phenomenon a while back. My steering wheel seems to grow a little more every year. I notice this every time I take my truck out of winter storage. What I think happens is the poor quality of the material the steering wheel is made of absorbs moisture while sitting dormant for four months or so. This same poor quality material doesn't allow the moisture to escape once the truck is used during the summer months, in fact, some times it seams it might grow a little during the summer months but it is more noticeable right after winter storage.
I blame it on poor material, or....I guess I could have put a few pounds over the winter, nah, it's got to be the poor material.
It maybe hard to do but a tilt wheel comes to mind, a thinner or lowered seat.
A smaller steering wheel will require alot more effort if you don`t have power steering, with ps it should be fine.
I needed more room in my 48 because I'm 6'2". I did not want to relocate the gas tank so I replaced the seat with one out of a '90 Ranger which has a thinner back and I raised it at the front which tilts it back more for more leg room. I am also using a 15 inch aftermarket steering wheel on a tilt column which helps. This combination gives me the room I need.
my steering wheel also has little clearance and it is a problem, though I'd like to think i'ts not due to my beer storage area. I'll have to measure for the big $$$ after market one I really want, it'd suck to order it and have to send it back...why oh why is there not a big hot rod/classic car store in spokane? lotta classics, rods..customs...I hate this town.
The 56 was the first year Ford used the deeper dished steering wheel. Using a smaller flatter wheel is one option, but don't go too small unless you have added power steering. If you have added PS by doing the Toyota swap, then you can use a shorter/tilt column to relieve the bloating. Late model seats have a much thinner back since they no longer use steel springs.