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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Glendale, AZ
Posts: 3,178
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How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
I'm having trouble finding a decent OE saddle steering wheel. I may end up going aftermarket but I have heard they are really flimsy. Anybody recently purchased one and have feedback
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#2 | |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Brownsburg, IN
Posts: 1,092
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
Quote:
However, my 15" has an original appearance and is not flimsy at all. It seemed small immediately after the switch, but now it feels normal to me. Being on the larger size, I like the extra room the 15" provides. Maybe someone can flip the photo, every photo I try to post to forum loads upside down and I can't get them to flip ![]()
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1972 Blazer Highlander 1971 GMC K1500 SWB (sold) 2004 Corvette Z06 CE Last edited by LockDoc; 06-27-2021 at 04:14 PM. |
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,962
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
all the aftermarket ones I've purchased were 17" and were indeed flimsy, they work, but they flex fwd/aft if you push/pull on them very much. I don't believe they have the metal core of the originals, but not certain. They work fine though - as you've noted, originals getting hard to find in good condition for a reasonable price. You might consider buying one of the cracked/separated originals that sell for cheap and repairing as many have done. Minor repairs can become invisible if done correctly. Good luck. If anyone has found a vendor that sells new ones that have the quality/'strength of originals, I'd love to hear about them. Something may have come along in the last few years that I'm not aware of.
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2001
Location: Independence MO.
Posts: 7,697
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
Original black steering wheels seem to be easier to find. I would paint a black one before buying a repo wheel. They are awful to say the least.
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72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Glendale, AZ
Posts: 3,178
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
I'm not very skilled at painting so I'm not sure how long that would last.
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#6 | |
The Older Generation
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Location: Montezuma, Iowa
Posts: 25,480
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
Quote:
LockDoc
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Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - |
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: East Tn (In the heart of the Smoky Mtns)
Posts: 1,868
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
Quote:
I’ve been thinkin about going back to the Factory wheel, and like your reasoning. |
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Brownsburg, IN
Posts: 1,092
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
I purchased mine from Cooper Restorations in Marion, IN. They are available from most of the aftermarket truck companies and I think these companies are all selling the same wheel .
__________________
1972 Blazer Highlander 1971 GMC K1500 SWB (sold) 2004 Corvette Z06 CE |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 262
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
Tim71 , is your truck manual steering ? If so , is it harder to turn ? THANKS !!
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Brownsburg, IN
Posts: 1,092
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
My truck has power steering, so no issues for me. I’d have to guess that the smaller 15” wheel would be harder to turn, especially when stopped or going slow.
__________________
1972 Blazer Highlander 1971 GMC K1500 SWB (sold) 2004 Corvette Z06 CE |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 262
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
Thanks , Tim !
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Mocksville, NC
Posts: 1,747
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
For reference, I just swapped from a 15" wheel to a reproduction 17" wheel on my manual steering '72. I noticed two things immediately. The larger wheel helped significantly in steering ease and overall enjoyment of driving. And, the reproduction wheel is indeed VERY flimsy, as noted above. I'm not sure what the internal structure element is, and I wouldn't be surprised to find out there is nothing at all. It's not a matter of if, but when the whole top half of this wheel cracks. It works fine for me and does look pretty good, but the hunt is on for an elusive OEM blue wheel.
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Builds: Green Gus the 68 C10 ; Sullii the 72 1500 - Instagram: @dr.hewitt - C10 Concept/Development Photos: Master Thread |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 262
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
Thanks , that's kinda what I was thinking . I could use the extra room with a 15" steering wheel but worry it would too hard to turn . Thanks again !
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#14 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,382
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
Maybe out of the box of what you were asking, but I got the sport steering wheel from LMC. It isn't flimsy, but the wood wasn't done right, and split away from the pieces next to it.
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~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Glendale, AZ
Posts: 3,178
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
I was going to replace the wheel before I put my truck up for sale. After seeing the responses I think I'll just sell it with the wheel I have on it now and let the new owner decide what to do.
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#16 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: So central coast, CA
Posts: 391
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
Nice to know about the 15"s, had thought about getting one.
I just ordered a 17" in Saddle color (caps out of stock) from LMC. Will post when I get it to describe accuracy of color and strength. |
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#17 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
The first repro steering wheels made about 20 years ago were crap. Flimsy and would crack showing the very undersized rod stock used for the rim. It was a couple years later that they got better but some keep the flimsy myth going. Must be a lot of the first ones still in vendors stock. There are threads from back then where people found the second run to be up to snuff.
The OEM black ones are easiest to find because Vans used them beyond '72. I believe through '78, the non-locking column vans
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 12-02-2022 at 10:43 PM. |
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#18 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,962
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
Tim, is there a good vendor out there that makes a solid wheel? I'm not familiar with a new repro that doesn't have the backbone of a noodle. The posts above about flimsy wheels (including mine) are from 2021, not 20 years ago - so I'm curious which vendor you're referring to - and very interested
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#19 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 8
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
Quote:
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#20 | |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
Quote:
__________________
"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#21 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,962
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
Thanks Tim, I'm with you - I'm hanging onto one precious black original I've hoarded away, its day will come.
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#22 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Fairfield, CA
Posts: 46
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Please note that you must be a supporting member to post classified items. This includes but is not limited to What Its Worth, Want To Buy, Want To Trade, and For Sale. Please consider supporting the forum by subscribing. Further information on the subscription levels available are located here If you need any further assistance with that please contact any Administrator for help. Last edited by LockDoc; 12-04-2022 at 12:42 AM. |
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#23 | |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
Quote:
I am anxious to see how xxx feels about the wheel he just ordered from LMC. I doubt any first batch wheels are still in stock anywhere. I'd think within 5 or so years those would have been filtered out. But I'm sure they were tossed out by vendors when the improved ones came out
__________________
"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#24 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Northern ca. Wine country
Posts: 405
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
My 17” wheel, that was purchased 15 years ago, from LMC, is one of the flimsy ones as well.
One would think that with all the old oem wheels around, that they, the metal skeletons could be used as the base for new repops. There must be thousands of rotten oem wheels in garages, attic’s, shops & sheds. Why don’t they offer $ for cores? Who wouldn’t pay for the better quality of an oem 3/8” stock? Not like I’m the only person thinking of this! |
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#25 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Kathleen, GA
Posts: 636
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Re: How bad are the reproduction steering wheel?
I would just get an old original steering wheel and restore it. Lots of videos on YouTube on how to do a steering wheel restoration. This is mine, very sturdy and I love the look of it.
Sorry purists, but at least it is period correct. |
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