Speedway 13” vs Mooneyes 15” steering wheels

[markeb01]

Speedway 13” vs Mooneyes 15” steering wheels

I’m seeking input on either or both of these wheels. I spent the better part of almost 50 years behind a 14 ½” Covico steering wheel in a variety of vehicles, and with the switch to a chrome Ididit steering wheel I ended up with the newly released 15” Red Metal Flake Mooneyes wheel. Note that it has 4 holes in each spoke:



The chrome is immaculate, and the metalflake finish is excellent. The problem I’m having is with the larger 15” diameter. ½” shouldn’t seem like that big a deal, but to me it feels like a bus wheel. I’m thinking of swapping to one of the similar Speedway wheels in 13” diameter, but I have no idea how well a wheel that small works in one of our trucks with power steering. I’m also curious how they look compared to the Mooneyes wheel. Is the chrome brilliant and shiny, or more like the older stamped wheels? How about the metalflake finish on the Speedway wheel?

Here’s a rather blurry shot of the Speedway wheel. Note that it on has 3 holes in each spoke:



Any input is appreciated!

[PGSigns]

I really like the look. I would give it a couple of weeks to adjust to the feel. You could always put a stock wheel on it for a week or to and when you go back to the 15 it will feel tiny.
Jimmy

[chevy_mike]

I have had 13" wheels and 15" and the smaller one always felt like I was "rushing" to keep up with turning it (and that was with PS). It just never felt right. The stock wheel (17" IIRC) just was too big and felt slow in turning. To me, the 15" feels just right. Small enough to not feel slow like a bus but not feeling like my arms were flaying around when making a u-turn.

Everyone is different but I can't see you would like the feel of a 13", when you have a 14.5" for so long. Dropping that small, really is much different feel than going up a half inch. YMMV

[davbowen]

the smaller wheels work great if you have power steering. one reason the old trucks had larger wheel so you could gain leverage when turning with manual steering. I do like the looks of that smaller one.

[PGSigns]

Some states also have a minimum steering wheel size. In VA its 15" if I remember correctly. Got rejected for one of those chrome chain wheels may years ago.
Jimmy

[1963chevyshort]

I would go with the 15 if you have power steering. i think the 13 would be better with manual steering.

[Malo83]

Smaller Speedway would be my choice, i'm running a 13" wheel on my 83 and it's the perfect size

[midnight rambler]

i have the 15 inch mooneyes in black. anything is better than the stock wheel.

[markeb01]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

[72freak]

13" is a bit small. I only use them on rods that don't have room for the 15"

[thelawdoc]

I like the large 'bus' steering wheel with my manual steering. But I will be adding a speed ball to it. I find that combo most satisfying for parking or maneuvering a long bed with manual steering.

[markeb01]

Again, I'm grateful for the additional input and for any further that may be offered. Still on the fence about what to do.

[doobiebro]

Markeb01 I personally went through this already.. I build 2 trucks with chrome tilt steering columns and they both have two diff steering wheels and sizes..
The smaller 13 wheel feels and turns great but it is very annoying for me when tilted in any direction it still blocks the view of my instrument gauges. The other truck with the same gauges and tilt steering column has the red flake Mooneyes steering wheel... In my opinion 15" wheel looks better and doesn't block my view on the gauges...Im going to change my smaller wheel for another Mooneyes wheel.. I know you are comparing two diff style wheels but size does matter... Here are some pics..

[markeb01]

Thanks for that information. I hadn't even considered that issue, and it will likely be a problem with a smaller wheel. I also no longer have a tilt column so there wouldn't really be a resolution if it blocks the gauges. I think I'll mock up a paper plate steering wheel and see what the view looks like. Thanks again!

[markeb01]

It turned out I didn't need to fabricate anything to check out the visibility. Sitting in the driver's seat, the view of the gauges shown in the first photo in post #1 is almost an exact match for what I see now.

It occurred to me a 13" wheel would essentially fit inside my existing wheel, so all I had to do was pretend I stuffed the new 13" wheel inside the existing one and now what can be seen of the instruments. Again referring to the first photo above, it's obvious the smaller wheel would block most of all three primary gauges.

Thanks again doobiebro, you just saved me a $75 wasted exercise!

[doobiebro]

Glad to finally return some imput to you my friend!

[jonzcustomshop]

out of curiosity, what happened to the old 14.5 wheel you had, and why couldn't you modify the ididit adapter to accept that wheel?

[markeb01]

Actually I've had the Covico wheel on the new adapter a couple of times. It fits okay, but I installed the new chrome column 1" shorter to make up for the increased dish of the new Moon wheel.

Going back to the Covico wheel causes 3 problems.

I almost have to "reach" for the wheel as it is 1" ahead of the ideal position.

It looks good by itself, but mounted on the shiny new column and adapter the wheel looks like it came out of an old boat used for too many years in salt water! It just isn't pretty enough to belong anymore.

And most importantly - my wife "loves" the new red wheel (and just about every other female between 20 and 40 that has seen it. They find it the centerpiece of the interior.

Most guys don't care for it and prefer the black version (including me). But if I have to choose between a group to impress I'm favoring the girls!