Camaro Wheel and Tach? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

muddpile · 02-18-2005, 02:24 AM

My interior needs a retro update in terms of a tach and a speedo. Before I go treasure hunting at the salvage yard, I have a couple questions.
#1, Do those 70's 4 spoke camaro wheels discolor or crack really bad like the original truck steering wheels?
#2, What is the diameter, and is the rim a decent thickness, or thin and uncomfortable like the stock truck wheel?
#3, What all do I need to install it in my truck and keep my horn function? Just the wheel, horn button and the guts inside?

As for the Tach, I have read many threads on it and know how to install it, but I was just wondering how well lit they are at night? Will it look like it was meant to be in the dash during the night too, or will it be brighter/dimmer than the rest of the gauges?

whitesswj · 02-18-2005, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muddpile

As for the Tach, I have read many threads on it and know how to install it, but I was just wondering how well lit they are at night? Will it look like it was meant to be in the dash during the night too, or will it be brighter/dimmer than the rest of the gauges?

yea, what he said, anyone with pictures of what they look like in the dark???

sswj

HeavyD · 02-18-2005, 03:05 AM

Did camaros use green backlighting, or was it white?

bobs409 · 02-18-2005, 07:43 AM

Those type of steering wheels won't crack. Common problems with those are either worn off grain finish or that some get sticky. (and I mean STICKY!) Some do, some don't. I've had one hanging in my garage that literally dripped brown ooze for years!

If no one else answers on the rim size, I can measure one of the 4 that I have. (BTW, If you are looking to buy, I have 3 black, 1 very dark gray in my collection w/caps & hardware-$50 each)

The rim is thicker than the stock truck wheels but not real fat like most of todays cars. This wheel is a bolt on to these trucks. All the horn parts that go with this wheel will work.

Can't help on the tach, I still have to do mine yet...

smokekiki · 02-18-2005, 11:15 AM

I will try and remember to take a pic of the tach tonite.

67ChevyC10Stepside · 02-18-2005, 12:29 PM

as far as the tach it depends how much of the rim you cutaway? if you read the install instructions you have to cut the edge off.....the more you cut off the brighter it gets....

busterwivell · 02-18-2005, 01:10 PM

Another option for a steering wheel is from a later Astro Van (or probably any GM truck or van). I have an Astro van wheel on my truck that shows no problems and it's been on for 5 years. Horn didn't work with original wheel, does with this one.

70 shorty · 02-18-2005, 01:51 PM

The wheel on my Z28 has "rope" wrapped all the way around it. It was factory for the late 2nd gen Camaros. It still looks brand new and has never been touched. You woudn't have to worry about worn off grain on mine. Also the tach should be white light. Sorry, I don't know how it would look directly against the stock truck gauges. I can only tell you what they look like in both of my vehicles.

muddpile · 02-18-2005, 05:24 PM

I read up on the camaro tach install, and getting the light close to the rest does sound fairly straightforward. I have an auto, so a tach really isn't that big of a deal, just a nice option to have if I feel the need to start a project someday.

As for the camaro wheel, its good to know that they bolt up good and wear good as well. The rope look ones look to have the thicker rim, but I haven't seen a black one yet and they don't look like they match the stock interior as well. The plain ones match just about perfect and look to be a little smaller diameter which is nice in a truck with power steering and no tilt. Thanks for the help so far!

02-18-2005, 07:43 AM	#4
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Those type of steering wheels won't crack. Common problems with those are either worn off grain finish or that some get sticky. (and I mean STICKY!) Some do, some don't. I've had one hanging in my garage that literally dripped brown ooze for years! If no one else answers on the rim size, I can measure one of the 4 that I have. (BTW, If you are looking to buy, I have 3 black, 1 very dark gray in my collection w/caps & hardware-$50 each) The rim is thicker than the stock truck wheels but not real fat like most of todays cars. This wheel is a bolt on to these trucks. All the horn parts that go with this wheel will work. Can't help on the tach, I still have to do mine yet... __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

02-18-2005, 11:15 AM	#5
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,474	I will try and remember to take a pic of the tach tonite. __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

02-18-2005, 12:29 PM	#6
67ChevyC10Stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Butler PA Posts: 3,034	as far as the tach it depends how much of the rim you cutaway? if you read the install instructions you have to cut the edge off.....the more you cut off the brighter it gets.... __________________ 67 c-10, 400 SB, TH350, 4.10 gears, Blazer tank,camaro tach, sidemarker fuel fill (soon) WTB: stepside parts, 67 front end parts, 67 small window cab. posi for 3.73 or 4.10 for 12 bolt and 10 bolt.

02-18-2005, 01:10 PM	#7
busterwivell Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sahuarita, AZ USA Posts: 2,033	Another option for a steering wheel is from a later Astro Van (or probably any GM truck or van). I have an Astro van wheel on my truck that shows no problems and it's been on for 5 years. Horn didn't work with original wheel, does with this one. __________________ Bill - Tucson, AZ 47 Chevrolet 2 dr sedan 56 Chevrolet 210 2 dr sedan 66 Chevrolet Malibu 2 dr 4 speed 71 Chevrolet C30 Longhorn 86 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Sold) 01 Chevrolet Tahoe IM - BUSTERWIVE@aol.com

02-18-2005, 01:51 PM	#8
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,768	The wheel on my Z28 has "rope" wrapped all the way around it. It was factory for the late 2nd gen Camaros. It still looks brand new and has never been touched. You woudn't have to worry about worn off grain on mine. Also the tach should be white light. Sorry, I don't know how it would look directly against the stock truck gauges. I can only tell you what they look like in both of my vehicles. __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

02-18-2005, 02:24 AM	#1
muddpile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 1,371	Camaro Wheel and Tach? My interior needs a retro update in terms of a tach and a speedo. Before I go treasure hunting at the salvage yard, I have a couple questions. #1, Do those 70's 4 spoke camaro wheels discolor or crack really bad like the original truck steering wheels? #2, What is the diameter, and is the rim a decent thickness, or thin and uncomfortable like the stock truck wheel? #3, What all do I need to install it in my truck and keep my horn function? Just the wheel, horn button and the guts inside? As for the Tach, I have read many threads on it and know how to install it, but I was just wondering how well lit they are at night? Will it look like it was meant to be in the dash during the night too, or will it be brighter/dimmer than the rest of the gauges? __________________ 1964 Chevy Short Fleet: Tornado 1972 Chevy C10: Fast Orange Secondaries Wide Open

02-18-2005, 03:05 AM	#3
HeavyD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wakaw, Sask, Canada Posts: 3,179	Did camaros use green backlighting, or was it white? __________________ "You can take the man out of PA, but you can't take PA out of the man"

02-18-2005, 05:24 PM	#9
muddpile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 1,371	I read up on the camaro tach install, and getting the light close to the rest does sound fairly straightforward. I have an auto, so a tach really isn't that big of a deal, just a nice option to have if I feel the need to start a project someday. As for the camaro wheel, its good to know that they bolt up good and wear good as well. The rope look ones look to have the thicker rim, but I haven't seen a black one yet and they don't look like they match the stock interior as well. The plain ones match just about perfect and look to be a little smaller diameter which is nice in a truck with power steering and no tilt. Thanks for the help so far! __________________ 1964 Chevy Short Fleet: Tornado 1972 Chevy C10: Fast Orange Secondaries Wide Open

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