Steering wheel resizing - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dgram8 · 11-26-2008, 08:49 PM

has anyone ever seen a smaller version of orginial steering wheel possibly aftermarket

Don Smith · 12-07-2009, 10:09 PM

I cut one down to 15 inches and took pics of process . Will post pics when I figure out why not posting corrrectly.

Don Smith · 12-08-2009, 03:39 PM

Steering wheel cut and bent to new dia

Don Smith · 12-08-2009, 03:56 PM

Rim welded together with new spoke locations cut out

Don Smith · 12-08-2009, 04:01 PM

Had to add extensions to spokes because I cut spokes too short. They should be cut flush with rim.

Don Smith · 12-08-2009, 04:10 PM

Welding process

Don Smith · 12-08-2009, 04:16 PM

Using filler and shaping

Don Smith · 12-08-2009, 04:20 PM

Finished product. Sorry about individual pic post, could not get them to post all at one time.

nds1968 · 12-08-2009, 05:28 PM

I like it. You got me thinking. Did you use regular body filler?

Don Smith · 12-08-2009, 06:02 PM

I used epoxy on cracks and then covered and feathered with Bondo. I used Bondo on the big gaps. PC-7 Epoxy would also be a good choice instead of Bondo. (this is and old spare wheel). This is first one I've tried.
Note: the steel ring is made from hardened steel and I used two Bosh metal cutting jig saw blades to cut.
The outer material is similar to hardened rubber but will not crack when bent to size.
I cut the spokes initially with a stub on the rim, but side spokes move up in rim when it is resized and should be cut flush . If I had done this I would not have had to weld extensions on spokes. Will be glad to answer any questions.

nickp51chevy · 12-22-2009, 11:40 PM

Ok I just saw this thread and I have a question. Do you think that a smaller diameter late model steering wheel would work instead of cutting up the original? I'm thinking a weekend project in in the near future.

Don Smith · 12-23-2009, 01:02 PM

nickp51chevy: I have used an 80's model Camero wheel that is a direct fit and is 14and 1/4 inches in diameter. I have also used a 90's Chevy truck wheel and it is 15 and 1/2 inches in dia. and does not require modification to fit.

slick copper · 03-18-2011, 05:12 AM

That looks awesome. I really really wanna do this to my steering wheel. Have you tried it on a truck? Is it centered?

Don Smith · 03-18-2011, 08:12 PM

I put this on my truck after I completed it. I really like the smaller diameter. I tried several other wheels (Camero, 90's truck, Grant) but I like this style. If I do another one I will make the cut in the wheel at the bottom where the spoke attaches after I have cut spokes out of course. I will also cut the spokes as close as possible to the rim so I wont have to weld pieces back to spokes. I can then trim the spokes if necessary. Plan on using several metal cutting blades, the core is hardened steel.

11-26-2008, 08:49 PM	#1
dgram8 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Altus Oklahoma Posts: 20	Steering wheel resizing has anyone ever seen a smaller version of orginial steering wheel possibly aftermarket

12-07-2009, 10:09 PM	#2
Don Smith Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Hampton, Ga, USA Posts: 217	Re: original steering wheel I cut one down to 15 inches and took pics of process . Will post pics when I figure out why not posting corrrectly. __________________ 68 Short Stepside, 350, quadrajet, 700r4, 3:73 posi, power front discs, HEI, Factory Air, Tilt, Tach, accelerator cable instead of rod, sway bar. 96 Impala SS 97 Monte Carlo

12-08-2009, 03:39 PM	#3
Don Smith Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Hampton, Ga, USA Posts: 217	Re: original steering wheel Steering wheel cut and bent to new dia __________________ 68 Short Stepside, 350, quadrajet, 700r4, 3:73 posi, power front discs, HEI, Factory Air, Tilt, Tach, accelerator cable instead of rod, sway bar. 96 Impala SS 97 Monte Carlo Last edited by augie; 04-04-2011 at 10:37 PM.

12-08-2009, 03:56 PM	#4
Don Smith Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Hampton, Ga, USA Posts: 217	Re: original steering wheel Rim welded together with new spoke locations cut out __________________ 68 Short Stepside, 350, quadrajet, 700r4, 3:73 posi, power front discs, HEI, Factory Air, Tilt, Tach, accelerator cable instead of rod, sway bar. 96 Impala SS 97 Monte Carlo Last edited by augie; 04-04-2011 at 10:38 PM.

12-08-2009, 04:01 PM	#5
Don Smith Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Hampton, Ga, USA Posts: 217	Re: original steering wheel Had to add extensions to spokes because I cut spokes too short. They should be cut flush with rim. __________________ 68 Short Stepside, 350, quadrajet, 700r4, 3:73 posi, power front discs, HEI, Factory Air, Tilt, Tach, accelerator cable instead of rod, sway bar. 96 Impala SS 97 Monte Carlo Last edited by augie; 04-04-2011 at 10:39 PM.

12-08-2009, 04:10 PM	#6
Don Smith Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Hampton, Ga, USA Posts: 217	Re: original steering wheel Welding process __________________ 68 Short Stepside, 350, quadrajet, 700r4, 3:73 posi, power front discs, HEI, Factory Air, Tilt, Tach, accelerator cable instead of rod, sway bar. 96 Impala SS 97 Monte Carlo Last edited by augie; 04-04-2011 at 10:40 PM.

12-08-2009, 04:16 PM	#7
Don Smith Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Hampton, Ga, USA Posts: 217	Re: original steering wheel Using filler and shaping __________________ 68 Short Stepside, 350, quadrajet, 700r4, 3:73 posi, power front discs, HEI, Factory Air, Tilt, Tach, accelerator cable instead of rod, sway bar. 96 Impala SS 97 Monte Carlo Last edited by augie; 04-04-2011 at 10:40 PM.

12-08-2009, 04:20 PM	#8
Don Smith Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Hampton, Ga, USA Posts: 217	Re: original steering wheel Finished product. Sorry about individual pic post, could not get them to post all at one time. __________________ 68 Short Stepside, 350, quadrajet, 700r4, 3:73 posi, power front discs, HEI, Factory Air, Tilt, Tach, accelerator cable instead of rod, sway bar. 96 Impala SS 97 Monte Carlo Last edited by augie; 04-04-2011 at 10:40 PM.

12-08-2009, 05:28 PM	#9
nds1968 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,694	Re: original steering wheel I like it. You got me thinking. Did you use regular body filler? __________________ Nate 1967 short fleet Project Blue Goose 'If it don't bounce back... heeheehee you go hungry!" Blues Brothers

12-08-2009, 06:02 PM	#10
Don Smith Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Hampton, Ga, USA Posts: 217	Re: original steering wheel I used epoxy on cracks and then covered and feathered with Bondo. I used Bondo on the big gaps. PC-7 Epoxy would also be a good choice instead of Bondo. (this is and old spare wheel). This is first one I've tried. Note: the steel ring is made from hardened steel and I used two Bosh metal cutting jig saw blades to cut. The outer material is similar to hardened rubber but will not crack when bent to size. I cut the spokes initially with a stub on the rim, but side spokes move up in rim when it is resized and should be cut flush . If I had done this I would not have had to weld extensions on spokes. Will be glad to answer any questions. __________________ 68 Short Stepside, 350, quadrajet, 700r4, 3:73 posi, power front discs, HEI, Factory Air, Tilt, Tach, accelerator cable instead of rod, sway bar. 96 Impala SS 97 Monte Carlo

12-22-2009, 11:40 PM	#11
nickp51chevy Registered Chevy Owner Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Snohomish, wa Posts: 1,557	Re: original steering wheel Ok I just saw this thread and I have a question. Do you think that a smaller diameter late model steering wheel would work instead of cutting up the original? I'm thinking a weekend project in in the near future. __________________ Love is fleeting, but Chevy trucks are forever!!!! 1970 Chevy CST C10 long box 350/400 2008 Chevy Silverado short box 4x4 Had; 1951 Chevy short box 307/T5 1988 Chevy shot box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C20 long box 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 350/350

12-23-2009, 01:02 PM	#12
Don Smith Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Hampton, Ga, USA Posts: 217	Re: original steering wheel nickp51chevy: I have used an 80's model Camero wheel that is a direct fit and is 14and 1/4 inches in diameter. I have also used a 90's Chevy truck wheel and it is 15 and 1/2 inches in dia. and does not require modification to fit. __________________ 68 Short Stepside, 350, quadrajet, 700r4, 3:73 posi, power front discs, HEI, Factory Air, Tilt, Tach, accelerator cable instead of rod, sway bar. 96 Impala SS 97 Monte Carlo

03-18-2011, 05:12 AM	#13
slick copper Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Richmond, KY Posts: 1,137	Re: original steering wheel That looks awesome. I really really wanna do this to my steering wheel. Have you tried it on a truck? Is it centered? __________________ Raymond 1967 Chevy C/10 LWB Custom Optioned "big window truck" AKA Copper. My build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=452594 The story of how I got the truck:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=450939 Ole Smokey Build Thread 2002 Silverado 8.1L Crew Cab SOLDhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=618402

03-18-2011, 08:12 PM	#14
Don Smith Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Hampton, Ga, USA Posts: 217	Re: original steering wheel I put this on my truck after I completed it. I really like the smaller diameter. I tried several other wheels (Camero, 90's truck, Grant) but I like this style. If I do another one I will make the cut in the wheel at the bottom where the spoke attaches after I have cut spokes out of course. I will also cut the spokes as close as possible to the rim so I wont have to weld pieces back to spokes. I can then trim the spokes if necessary. Plan on using several metal cutting blades, the core is hardened steel. __________________ 68 Short Stepside, 350, quadrajet, 700r4, 3:73 posi, power front discs, HEI, Factory Air, Tilt, Tach, accelerator cable instead of rod, sway bar. 96 Impala SS 97 Monte Carlo

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