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03-01-2022, 10:24 PM | #1 | |
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Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
The steering wheel in my manual steering 1 ton is mega trashed, it works but it's just a skeleton and electrical tape at this point.
I decided I would try finding a usable factory original, But I am having a hard time finding a good price for an original stock unit; and I'm also worried that there might be several different sizes for trucks with PS or without PS, making selecting the correct one harder. I read this: Quote:
I guess that means for the most effortless steering I shouldn't use a 67-68 3spoke? Thank you. |
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03-02-2022, 04:34 AM | #2 |
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
Stock steering wheels all the same diameter as far as I know. 17"-17.5" for later models. Maybe a bit smaller for earlier ones? A reproduction two spoke 15" diameter wheel is available. Seems to be of good quality, had one in hand but sold it and went another route due to my own reasons.
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Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746 |
03-03-2022, 05:30 PM | #3 | |
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
Quote:
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1972 Chevrolet C/10 shortbed, stepside, 350, HEI, Fire Engine Red, Black Interior, Former Army cargo transport 2003 Chevrolet 2500HD CC 6.0 4wd 2004 Jeep Rubicon some aftermarket stuff... 2019 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon (the wife's baby hauler) |
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03-03-2022, 05:45 PM | #4 | ||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
"Armstrong" steering.
I remember watching my Mom parallel park my Dad's 1970 C10 with a 4 speed and no power steering. Man she was a tough lady. Some days she would tell me or my brother, "When I start backing up, help me pull on the wheel." Maybe it's just me, but my 72 GMC steering wheel with power steering seems smaller than the 70 without power steering. Gary
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'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
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03-04-2022, 12:41 AM | #5 | |
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
Quote:
The greater the wheel diameter, the easier it is to horse around the Armstrong Steering System. Funny, as P/S became more common in this series of trucks, GM went to a larger diameter steering wheel anyway. Wheel size was standard for the model year, no factory custom wheels. The Aftermarket is all over that. Personaly, I prefer the '67/'68 3-Spoke wheel for the way it fits the hand, and the 6 O'clock spoke helps in a heavy turn. I may even put a '68 wheel on my '71 GMC for my own amusement.
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. |
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03-04-2022, 08:43 AM | #6 | |
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
Quote:
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03-04-2022, 09:25 AM | #7 | |
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
Quote:
My truck didn’t have Power Steering or Power Brakes when I bought it. I remember my arms being wore out at the end of the day. I would park at the far end of the Parking Lot to avoid having to muscle the wheel around to get parked. The manual brakes around town, were another issue all together. In 1998 I found both setups off two different trucks, and it became a whole new truck. Now I can steer with one finger, and don’t have to stand on the brake pedal to stop. I still have the 4 wheel drums, but I’m doing the disc conversion this summer |
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03-04-2022, 09:49 AM | #8 |
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
Most all the vendors carry the 69-72 original style 15" wheels now.
I would think you'd at least want to have power steering, might be tough on a 1 ton manual steering truck !
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Gary 72 SWB 4x4 My 72 SWB Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=259859 |
03-04-2022, 03:36 PM | #9 |
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
I enjoyed GASoline's story about his Mother.
To me, this story needs to be about PS and AC in these old trucks. Better brakes are important, but you're not going to get out of your truck at your destination dripping with sweat because it has drum brakes. Tugging on a big manual wheel with no AC takes all the fun out of driving an old truck in really hot weather. I actually put twice as many miles a year on my GMC as I do my '18 RAM 3500 SLT. The GMC is even easier to park than the RAM with rear Camera and F/R Park sensors. Don't be afraid to look at mid '80s GM wheels. Many of the pre-airbag wheels have nice fat padded rims. I have a '86 Z24 Cavalier wheel on my GMC. It measures just under 15", bolted right on and the '67 GMC horn button fits perfectly.
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'67 GMC 2500, 292, 4spd, AC |
03-04-2022, 11:20 PM | #10 |
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
I like my manual steering and am keeping it. One less thing to leak or need replaced, or rob power.
With that being said I can't have a 15" wheel, I need at least 16-17". Orange sunshine, I'm glad you saw that I quoted you, I appreciate your knowledge. I have considered the advantages of a 3spoke compared to a 2 spoke. My '67 2-ton has a 3 spoke and I like it. |
03-05-2022, 04:32 AM | #11 | |
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
Quote:
I still have a '67 K/10 Suburban. In the '90s tried to put a C/10 '69 P/S gear box on it. Didn't work. Powerplant was BBC 454. P/S pump worked perfect. Bad steering geometry, made me take off the whole Power Steering package and reinstall my old manual steering gearbox. JB welded a crack on the back of the case. The OEM draglink had been hacked by tireshop mechs, on my direction. Now I needed a 1-ton draglink to replace it. Never got the steering balance back right again. Solution will be a whole ['69 - '73] DANA 44 Front clip with power brakes, P/S standard and low ratio gearbox. Anyway, -- to get over the sideslap from the Armstrong when that Beast ''came about'' I sheathed the spokes and circumferance of the wheel in 1/2'' black rubber foam ''Piping Insulation [DonkeyDick]'' and taped it all around with black friction tape. With a padded Three Spoke, I was rockin' the turns like Steamboat Willie.
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. Last edited by '68OrangeSunshine; 03-05-2022 at 04:58 AM. |
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03-05-2022, 05:08 AM | #12 |
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
I did not recommend a smaller wheel for manual steering, that would be ridiculous. Just pointing out the different size wheel I know of. Stock size two spoke reproduction wheels also available, never had one. Some have said they are more flexible than stock ones.
Apologize to OP for intrusion, for those looking for the 15' wheel. one of my go to sites https://www.classicparts.com/1969-72...tinfo/32-426L/ Available in other colors as well, listed separately. Just search.
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Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746 Last edited by Richard; 03-05-2022 at 05:21 AM. |
03-05-2022, 05:19 AM | #13 |
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
Wheel with insulation:
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. |
03-05-2022, 06:49 AM | #14 | |
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
Quote:
Somehow I missed that part. '67/'68 Wheels require a different horn cap support 'can' than '69/'72s. Harder to find, but I think Truck And Car Shop of Orange CA has them. Otherwise the wheels all fit the same.
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. |
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03-05-2022, 09:14 AM | #15 |
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
I went the 15” wheel route (w/ps) and am happy I did…makes getting in and out of the seat easier. The smaller wheel does block my view of the gauges somewhat, but not bad. Took a bit getting used to as well. Only improvement I would make is less texture…sort of feels like I am holding a cheese grater at times.
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03-06-2022, 06:43 PM | #16 | |||
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Re: Did power steering change steering wheel diameter?
Quote:
Yeah but when you have a 4wd with big tires, and offroading, you really don't want manual steering( when tires get stuck in a rut) Quote:
And what you said about the repro wheels being "flexible" is exactly why I'll take a haggard old wheel first. My truck is a beat old driver, a cracked wheel will look just fine. Quote:
Thanks for all the info. ya'll. |
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