Aftermarket steering wheel - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**pgc** · 04-06-2022, 03:13 PM

Has anybody bought or used a aftermarket wheel? Your thoughts?

**special-K** · 04-06-2022, 05:09 PM

Do you mean the reproductions of the originals?

**pgc** · 04-06-2022, 05:51 PM

Yes

**LockDoc** · 04-06-2022, 11:39 PM

-
I bought one of the original size ones in black for the '71 Chevy 4x4 Longhorn project. It looked and worked good but it felt a little flimsy compared to the originals. Someone on here said that the 15" version felt a little more firm as far as flex than the 17" size. I'm thinking about purchasing one of the smaller ones for the '72 Dually, which I drive a lot..

LockDoc

**jocko** · 04-07-2022, 12:14 AM

Agree w/Leon - same impression w/aftermarket 17" (stock dia) wheels. I've had a couple, and all were flimsy - don't believe they have the metal core of the originals - which is why pristine, uncracked originals demand a high price. I'd still buy an aftermarket 17" wheel over a non-GM wheel, I just prefer the original look and feel. I haven't owned a 15" one, but yes, they should be less flimsy, even if constructed the exact same way as the aftermarket 17" ones. One aftermarket wheel I do like is the cushion grip 3-spoke that some of the dealers sell - but still prefer the stock wheel over anything.

**special-K** · 04-07-2022, 09:41 AM

I bought a reproduction wheel for a '72 back in '04. Looked great but was noticeably more flimsy on the rim. That wheel developed a crack at high noon which separated enough to see the rod stock core of the rim. It was about 1/2 the gauge of original and I'm sure the reason for the more flexible feel. I'm sure the extra flex is why the material cracked. Then a new batch of wheels were produced that were said to be more stout. I have never used one so can not comment on that. But that is what I heard back when they came out, an improvement. Haven't heard much of anything else since. I'll say for a restoration that gets carefully driven a reproduction steering wheel will work just fine

04-06-2022, 03:13 PM	#1
pgc Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: bessemer,Alabama Posts: 64	Aftermarket steering wheel Has anybody bought or used a aftermarket wheel? Your thoughts?

04-06-2022, 05:09 PM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Aftermarket steering wheel Do you mean the reproductions of the originals? __________________ "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 ~

04-06-2022, 05:51 PM	#3
pgc Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: bessemer,Alabama Posts: 64	Re: Aftermarket steering wheel Yes

04-06-2022, 11:39 PM	#4
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,771	Re: Aftermarket steering wheel - I bought one of the original size ones in black for the '71 Chevy 4x4 Longhorn project. It looked and worked good but it felt a little flimsy compared to the originals. Someone on here said that the 15" version felt a little more firm as far as flex than the 17" size. I'm thinking about purchasing one of the smaller ones for the '72 Dually, which I drive a lot.. LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

04-07-2022, 12:14 AM	#5
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	Re: Aftermarket steering wheel Agree w/Leon - same impression w/aftermarket 17" (stock dia) wheels. I've had a couple, and all were flimsy - don't believe they have the metal core of the originals - which is why pristine, uncracked originals demand a high price. I'd still buy an aftermarket 17" wheel over a non-GM wheel, I just prefer the original look and feel. I haven't owned a 15" one, but yes, they should be less flimsy, even if constructed the exact same way as the aftermarket 17" ones. One aftermarket wheel I do like is the cushion grip 3-spoke that some of the dealers sell - but still prefer the stock wheel over anything.

04-07-2022, 09:41 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Aftermarket steering wheel I bought a reproduction wheel for a '72 back in '04. Looked great but was noticeably more flimsy on the rim. That wheel developed a crack at high noon which separated enough to see the rod stock core of the rim. It was about 1/2 the gauge of original and I'm sure the reason for the more flexible feel. I'm sure the extra flex is why the material cracked. Then a new batch of wheels were produced that were said to be more stout. I have never used one so can not comment on that. But that is what I heard back when they came out, an improvement. Haven't heard much of anything else since. I'll say for a restoration that gets carefully driven a reproduction steering wheel will work just fine __________________ "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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