Steering wheel question... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Logans 66 · 04-21-2011, 02:19 PM

Logan wants to keep an eye out for a different steering wheel for his truck at yard sales and swap meets...Is the shaft pretty much universal? I've never had a problem swapping wheels on other projects but this is our first 66 truck build...Logan found one at a VW show we went to the other day...It was ok but a little rough and he says hey dad its only 4 bucks!!! No it was $400? Anyway any help would be awesome...
Thanks,Paul

markeb01 · 04-21-2011, 07:14 PM

In my experience the diameter and spline count of GM steering columns were common from the late 30’s until at least the 1980’s. So in technical theory you could mount a 1965 Oldsmobile steering wheel in a 1948 Chevy, or a 1951 Olds wheel in a 1956 Buick. In reality some wheels have a deep dish while others are flat. A 1961 Olds wheel can be bolted on a 1951 car, but the deep dish of the wheel will put the rim up near the headliner. Just stick with a wheel from a similar column design. For example a Chevy passenger car column up until 1952 did not have a built in turn signal housing. 1953 and 54 cars had a turn signal bell, and 1955-57 cars used similar turn signal mechanisms, but the steering wheel was now dished. In 1969 the diameter of the column housing increased, so wheels from this period are larger around at the base than the earlier columns.

For a 60-66 truck just about any GM passenger car steering wheel from about 1955 up until 1967 or so should bolt on to a 60-66 truck column and work correctly, although there may be some parts swapping needed to match up the turn signal mechanism with the cancelling device on the back of the wheel.

**jocko** · 04-21-2011, 08:08 PM

I'm partial to earlhy 60's passenger car steering wheels in our trucks - i've got a 62 bel air wheel that I'm going to install - may even monkey with the emblem to make it trucky. having said that - have not fitted it yet, but am pretty sure it will fit - i.e. agree with markeb01. note they are SLIGHTLY larger in diameter, but only slightly.

bama63 · 04-21-2011, 08:12 PM

i have a wheel off of a 95 chevy z71 on mine so i know at least up to 1995

04-21-2011, 02:19 PM	#1
Logans 66 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Fredericksburg Texas formerly Ranch Road 1...LBJ's Road... Posts: 159	Steering wheel question... Logan wants to keep an eye out for a different steering wheel for his truck at yard sales and swap meets...Is the shaft pretty much universal? I've never had a problem swapping wheels on other projects but this is our first 66 truck build...Logan found one at a VW show we went to the other day...It was ok but a little rough and he says hey dad its only 4 bucks!!! No it was $400? Anyway any help would be awesome... Thanks,Paul __________________ Logan's 66 build I'm Paul and this is what I'm building for Audra,AKA Rocker Mom, my wife... 79 Camaro called Rocker Moms HotWheels 63 Galaxie 500 XL Convert called White Lightning 65 Rambler called Class of 65

04-21-2011, 07:14 PM	#2
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: Steering wheel question... In my experience the diameter and spline count of GM steering columns were common from the late 30’s until at least the 1980’s. So in technical theory you could mount a 1965 Oldsmobile steering wheel in a 1948 Chevy, or a 1951 Olds wheel in a 1956 Buick. In reality some wheels have a deep dish while others are flat. A 1961 Olds wheel can be bolted on a 1951 car, but the deep dish of the wheel will put the rim up near the headliner. Just stick with a wheel from a similar column design. For example a Chevy passenger car column up until 1952 did not have a built in turn signal housing. 1953 and 54 cars had a turn signal bell, and 1955-57 cars used similar turn signal mechanisms, but the steering wheel was now dished. In 1969 the diameter of the column housing increased, so wheels from this period are larger around at the base than the earlier columns. For a 60-66 truck just about any GM passenger car steering wheel from about 1955 up until 1967 or so should bolt on to a 60-66 truck column and work correctly, although there may be some parts swapping needed to match up the turn signal mechanism with the cancelling device on the back of the wheel. Last edited by markeb01; 04-21-2011 at 07:16 PM.

04-21-2011, 08:08 PM	#3
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	Re: Steering wheel question... I'm partial to earlhy 60's passenger car steering wheels in our trucks - i've got a 62 bel air wheel that I'm going to install - may even monkey with the emblem to make it trucky. having said that - have not fitted it yet, but am pretty sure it will fit - i.e. agree with markeb01. note they are SLIGHTLY larger in diameter, but only slightly.

04-21-2011, 08:12 PM	#4
bama63 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: gadsden, alabama Posts: 468	Re: Steering wheel question... i have a wheel off of a 95 chevy z71 on mine so i know at least up to 1995 __________________ Due to financial constraints, the light at the end of the tunnel will be shut off until further notice

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