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Old 09-28-2007, 05:14 PM   #1
tclaremont
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Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

I bought a reupholstered and recovered seat for my 72. It looks great, works and adjusts as it should, etc.

The problem is that there is now a serious lack of space between my lap and the steering wheel. Unfortunately I do not have a tilt wheel, either.

Is there a decent steering wheel that I can buy that wont look like a tacky addon? The original wheel seems overly large, but I dont want to add a wheel with a five inch diameter either.

Or, I could take apart and rebuild the seat. Or, I could lose 50 pounds. Nah.
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Old 09-28-2007, 05:21 PM   #2
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

90's model 4 spoke steering wheels from Chevy trucks and Astros look nice. several on Ebay, can still get them in the salvage yards......
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Old 09-28-2007, 05:28 PM   #3
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

Any pre-airbag GM wheel will work. I use one out of an S-10.
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Old 09-28-2007, 05:31 PM   #4
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

There is also a post in the FAQ's on collapsing your steering shaft.It moves the wheel closer to the dash and gives a bit more room.I think it can only be done with an automatic.Could be a quick easyy down and dirty solution to your problem.
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Old 09-28-2007, 05:44 PM   #5
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by PanelDeland View Post
There is also a post in the FAQ's on collapsing your steering shaft.It moves the wheel closer to the dash and gives a bit more room.I think it can only be done with an automatic.Could be a quick easyy down and dirty solution to your problem.
This will work but cause less space between the wheel and seat since you are moving it all down on the angle. I did this to mine but I also have a smaller wheel and only moved the column in for more arm room not lap room. My 30 extra LBS does not get in the way as much

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Old 09-28-2007, 06:12 PM   #6
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tclaremont View Post
Is there a decent steering wheel that I can buy that wont look like a tacky addon? The original wheel seems overly large, but I dont want to add a wheel with a five inch diameter either.
I use 15" GM Cusion Grip Sport Wheels with a 67/68 camaro mounting hub on all my personal keeper rigs, definitely my all time favorite non original, yet classy truck/blazer wheel add on and they can be found in several different colors. Cb
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Old 09-28-2007, 06:34 PM   #7
tclaremont
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

The camaro wheel is fine, but ti does not appear to be of much smaller diameter. Is it?
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Old 09-28-2007, 06:47 PM   #8
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

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Originally Posted by tclaremont View Post
The camaro wheel is fine, but ti does not appear to be of much smaller diameter. Is it?
Yes it's smaller, 15" vs. 17"
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Old 09-28-2007, 06:53 PM   #9
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

Well, that would give me another inch of space, then.

I would prefer something with a thicker rim, but realize that would not exactly look "period correct".
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Old 09-29-2007, 04:14 AM   #10
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

That camaro wheel looks pretty slick and so does the interior of your truck
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Old 09-29-2007, 07:12 AM   #11
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Classic Bowties View Post
I use 15" GM Cusion Grip Sport Wheels with a 67/68 camaro mounting hub on all my personal keeper rigs, definitely my all time favorite non original, yet classy truck/blazer wheel add on and they can be found in several different colors. Cb
Just like I have on mine, except I put a GMC horn cap on it. Great wheel !!
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Old 09-29-2007, 12:25 PM   #12
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

The previous owner put a wheel from and 92'ish cavalier into my truck. I was going to change it out this winter but everyone keeps commenting on how good it looks . It actually does look pretty good and it is definetely smaller than most. I can't find a picture of it but will take some this afternoon for you.
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Old 09-29-2007, 12:53 PM   #13
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

88-90'S Z-24 wheels look and fit also. I'm usin' the one with the square button,
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Old 09-29-2007, 01:50 PM   #14
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

This is a camaro wheel, it is 14 1/2"
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Old 09-29-2007, 03:13 PM   #15
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

The 14 1/2" Camaro wheel can also be found in Vegas and Caviliers. It fits a larger mid-section (like mine) quite nicely. Availible in black, dark blue, light blue, tan, a very dark brown, dark gray, red, and probably something I have forgotten. Z-28 wheels come in rope wrap.

There are a number of horn buttons - GT, bowties in silver and red, gray Camaro crest, LT(light truck).

For the GMC people, the 67/68 GMC horn cap(large metal) can be used with the proper spring washer and plastic hold-downs.

I have also used a leather wrap from Shucks, etc sold by (?)Superior. Looks very nice.

All in all my favorite wheel.

Another choice is the late 80's Buick GN wheel. Change the Buick crest to the proper diameter bowtie. Nice gray leather with a fat grip. Sharp looking.

Many choices for those that search - Bob
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Old 09-29-2007, 04:58 PM   #16
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

I have one of those in my blazer:

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Old 09-29-2007, 05:05 PM   #17
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

I used the wheel from a 77 gm truck, it is pretty nice, and looks close to original.
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Old 09-29-2007, 06:36 PM   #18
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

Here are some pics of that Cavalier wheel. I'm not sure if they came in any other vehicles but I had a '92 Cavalier Z24 and it had the exact wheel in it.

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Old 09-30-2007, 03:59 AM   #19
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

Here's what I have in my truck. It's a Grant. Smaller diameter, larger grip ring, collapsed steering column, and tilt also. Works good for us "full figured guys".

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Old 09-30-2007, 04:48 AM   #20
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

I have the same one as OhioDan
but they sent me a chevy emblem not the gmc I needed so I havent put it on yet.
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Old 10-04-2007, 08:31 AM   #21
tclaremont
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

I guess I need a 67/68 GMC horn cap, because I went with a black camaro 14 1/4 inch wheel.

I dont have any of the internals for the wheel, though. Will my existing horn setup work with the new wheel?
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Old 10-04-2007, 08:53 AM   #22
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

I use a classic indy 500 3 spoke wheel. I am going to change it to a newer one. Mine is looking a little ragged.
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Old 10-04-2007, 09:42 AM   #23
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

My personal favorite for the period correct look is the 15" 3 spoke camaro wheel posted earlier. They were not exclusive to the camaro though, Chevelles used them too up to '72. One problem is cost. They are pricey, even repop'd versions. The same wheel was used in mid to late 70's Buick Skyhawks. Before people figured out the fact they were the same, you could get them for LOW cost at boneyards. Sadly, most have been picked up. I still look when I see one. A close cousin to that wheel was a 4 spoke version used in the Olds version of the skyhawk/monza body (forgot the name).

My next favorite is the all rubber 4 spoke wheel found in Camaros, 70-72 Chevelles but it was also used in Vega's (as the GT wheel), Monzas, 1st/2nd gen Cavaliers too. You can get a black emblem with a red bowtie from a Lumina Minivan horn cap (the original dustbuster van, remember?). Just pop the emblem out of the cap, trim slightly and install in the 4 spoke cap. I've always had one of 4 spoke wheels on my 69 Nova and it looks right. I found a "rope wrap" z28 wheel (78-81) and liked it even better due to the larger rim thickness. Those are gettinng pricy too.

Less period, but true to the Chevy truck line is the 4 spoke wheel from the 88-94 (pre-air bag). Despite coming 20 years later, they still look "right" in these trucks. I've got a leather wrapped version in my 75 K5.

What would be interesting is to see a stock wheel shrunk to a smaller diameter. They have been doing that for a couple of years on Tri-five Chevy wheels, early Vette wheels and 58/59 Impala Wheels (another personal favorite). They take the original large diameter wheel rim (17") and cut it off. Then they shorten the arms proportionally and then re-attach a smaller diameter wheel (like 15") to the short spokes. The end result is a stock looking period correct wheel without the school bus large rim. Search "dwarf steering wheels" and you'll see what I mean. I've not seen it done to a truck steering wheel.
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Old 10-04-2007, 11:02 AM   #24
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

that would be cool maybe one of the vendors can get some one to repo one like that for us.
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Old 10-04-2007, 12:41 PM   #25
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Re: Yeah... the seat grew... thats it.

You need to be careful about using too small of diameter steering wheels. One of my cars failed inspection for having a 14" diameter wheel. I am not sure if you have to endure annual vehicle safety inspections like we do here in VA.
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