What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

In The Ten Ring · 06-05-2015, 08:42 AM

I keep hearing all reproduction steering wheels suck. Is that true?

http://www.classicparts.com/1969-72-.../#.VXGYj89Viko

**RenoKeene** · 06-05-2015, 08:55 AM

Sad but true. I believe the inner core rod is either much thinner than OE or its non-existent. They flex way too much.

cla511 · 06-05-2015, 10:59 AM

I have one. It's ok if you want the classic look but are far a a real feel it does not have it.

Jonlopes · 06-05-2015, 11:29 AM

What aftermarket wheels are nice? How about the reproduction walnut wheels?

**ho70** · 06-05-2015, 12:52 PM

I bought a grant wheel
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAMARO-CHEVE...CSubmodel%3ASS

Couldn't get the horn to work but nice foam grip and nice looking

webfoot · 06-05-2015, 01:05 PM

I had one on my 71 and thought it sucked. It would be nice if they would make it smaller too since we don't all have manual steering.

srvivor71 · 06-05-2015, 02:53 PM

Save your money! I bought one for my 71 GMC and hated it. It was very flimsy feeling and really light weight. It felt like there was no steel ring inside of it like the stock wheel. It was money very poorly spent and it is now just a garage wall decoration. I replaced it with a Grant wheel.

**jocko** · 06-05-2015, 05:15 PM

it is worth it to spend double the price of the aftermarket repop wheels JUST to have one with a metal core that doesn't bend halfway to the windshield when you happen to straighten out your arms against the wheel to stretch while you're driving. They look nice, but are flimsy. I'm kinda screwed, the ONLY wheel I like is a stock wheel when it comes to these trucks (the comfortgrip and thin wood 3-spokes look good though), but I prefer the stockers for some reason. They are getting harder to find and the price for one with much of the original pebble feel and NO cracks is upwards of 250 or close to 300. Sucks, but worth it in my book. The aftermarket wheels are really for looks only. I had one, couldn't find what I needed and needed to be able to turn the wheels, so bought one. It worked, but just felt so flimsy, it bugged me.

Chucks72Longbed · 06-05-2015, 06:11 PM

I have the black stock one off of my 72 if someone wants it. Free. It's in great shape. No cracks or fading. PM me if interested.

57taskforce · 06-05-2015, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chucks72Longbed

I have the black stock one off of my 72 if someone wants it. Free. It's in great shape. No cracks or fading. PM me if interested.

Pm sent

**WIDESIDE72** · 06-05-2015, 06:15 PM

Pm sent for wheel

Chucks72Longbed · 06-05-2015, 06:52 PM

57taskforce was the first one to ask, so it's headed for New Mexico. Just glad someone could use it.

Fldawg · 06-05-2015, 07:02 PM

i purchased one from brothers about 5 years ago and mines good, no probelms no flexing

cdowns · 06-05-2015, 07:14 PM

About 10 years ago i got one from wes at classic heartbeat it didn' last but a couple of months but wes was great and replaced it this one i let set on the shelf for 6months to cure and i had no problems with that one used it for close to ten years or so till i got rid of the truck

would buy a new one again from wes anytime

**special-K** · 06-05-2015, 09:52 PM

I bought one in '04 and withing 4 years it had cracked and separated at high noon. That was '07 and not long after that I started hearing they got better. Haven't trying a new one. I worried how I would know if it was a new design or left over junk

In The Ten Ring · 06-05-2015, 10:12 PM

How do you like that?

I start the thread and somebody else gets the OEM steering wheel!

Oh well.....win some....lose some...

In The Ten Ring · 06-05-2015, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

About 10 years ago i got one from wes at classic heartbeat it didn' last but a couple of months but wes was great and replaced it this one i let set on the shelf for 6months to cure and i had no problems with that one used it for close to ten years or so till i got rid of the truck

would buy a new one again from wes anytime

Mine will be OK for now and if I can't find an OEM or NOS unit to my liking, I'll contact Wes. Thanks c-downs!

But Brother's is good too?

**jocko** · 06-05-2015, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

How do you like that?

I start the thread and somebody else gets the OEM steering wheel!

Oh well.....win some....lose some...

yes, that was a little odd.

06-05-2015, 08:42 AM	#1
In The Ten Ring Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,427	What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? I keep hearing all reproduction steering wheels suck. Is that true? http://www.classicparts.com/1969-72-.../#.VXGYj89Viko

06-05-2015, 08:55 AM	#2
RenoKeene Florida Edition Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fruitland Park, FL Posts: 4,028	Re: What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? Sad but true. I believe the inner core rod is either much thinner than OE or its non-existent. They flex way too much. __________________ 70 GMC Short Stepside "Rose"-An American Beauty: Factory 402/TH400, AM/FM, AC, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, Posi, PS, PB, 3-5 Drop, Complete Resto-Rod 67 C-20 Slant Back Wrecker "Mad Max" 67 C-10 Ratrod "Step-N-Wolf" 71 Serro Scotty Sportsman camper "Scotty" 97 LT1 Z28 "The Hornet" Link to more pics of "Rose" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...p?albumid=1684 Check out my "Cheap Tricks" thread and add to it if you can, lots of good info there. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=489394

06-05-2015, 10:59 AM	#3
cla511 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Alabama Posts: 50	Re: What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? I have one. It's ok if you want the classic look but are far a a real feel it does not have it. __________________ 1972 C10 Cheyenne 402/TH350 1985 GMC 1500 Sierra Classic 350/700R 1986 K20 427/NV4500 1986 K20 Sub 406/TH400 "Life's tough.....It's enough tougher if your stupid." John Wayne

06-05-2015, 11:29 AM	#4
Jonlopes Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Anaheim Hills, CA Posts: 323	Re: What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? What aftermarket wheels are nice? How about the reproduction walnut wheels? __________________ 1971 Cheyenne Big Block Longhorn

06-05-2015, 12:52 PM	#5
ho70 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Winnipeg, Mb Posts: 1,115	Re: What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? I bought a grant wheel http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAMARO-CHEVE...CSubmodel%3ASS Couldn't get the horn to work but nice foam grip and nice looking

06-05-2015, 01:05 PM	#6
webfoot Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hermiston, OR Posts: 947	Re: What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? I had one on my 71 and thought it sucked. It would be nice if they would make it smaller too since we don't all have manual steering. __________________ *Running in place gets you nowhere fast.* -me 1968 GTO 4-spd covnvertible 1970 K-20 4-speed, factory AC.

06-05-2015, 02:53 PM	#7
srvivor71 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sullivan County, NY Posts: 455	Re: What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? Save your money! I bought one for my 71 GMC and hated it. It was very flimsy feeling and really light weight. It felt like there was no steel ring inside of it like the stock wheel. It was money very poorly spent and it is now just a garage wall decoration. I replaced it with a Grant wheel. __________________ 1971 GMC K1500 Longbed Fleet 1989 Chevy K1500 Shortbed Sport Side

06-05-2015, 05:15 PM	#8
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	Re: What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? it is worth it to spend double the price of the aftermarket repop wheels JUST to have one with a metal core that doesn't bend halfway to the windshield when you happen to straighten out your arms against the wheel to stretch while you're driving. They look nice, but are flimsy. I'm kinda screwed, the ONLY wheel I like is a stock wheel when it comes to these trucks (the comfortgrip and thin wood 3-spokes look good though), but I prefer the stockers for some reason. They are getting harder to find and the price for one with much of the original pebble feel and NO cracks is upwards of 250 or close to 300. Sucks, but worth it in my book. The aftermarket wheels are really for looks only. I had one, couldn't find what I needed and needed to be able to turn the wheels, so bought one. It worked, but just felt so flimsy, it bugged me.

06-05-2015, 06:11 PM	#9
Chucks72Longbed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Sedro Woolley Washington Posts: 86	Re: What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? I have the black stock one off of my 72 if someone wants it. Free. It's in great shape. No cracks or fading. PM me if interested. __________________ 72 Chevy C20 LWB-Just what I always wanted. Now, just need more time and money!

06-05-2015, 06:15 PM	#11
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,500	Re: What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? Pm sent for wheel

06-05-2015, 06:52 PM	#12
Chucks72Longbed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Sedro Woolley Washington Posts: 86	Re: What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? 57taskforce was the first one to ask, so it's headed for New Mexico. Just glad someone could use it. __________________ 72 Chevy C20 LWB-Just what I always wanted. Now, just need more time and money!

06-05-2015, 07:02 PM	#13
Fldawg Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Lynn Haven Florida Posts: 1,019	Re: What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? i purchased one from brothers about 5 years ago and mines good, no probelms no flexing __________________ "Send in the clowns the goats are loose"

06-05-2015, 07:14 PM	#14
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? About 10 years ago i got one from wes at classic heartbeat it didn' last but a couple of months but wes was great and replaced it this one i let set on the shelf for 6months to cure and i had no problems with that one used it for close to ten years or so till i got rid of the truck would buy a new one again from wes anytime __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

06-05-2015, 09:52 PM	#15
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? I bought one in '04 and withing 4 years it had cracked and separated at high noon. That was '07 and not long after that I started hearing they got better. Haven't trying a new one. I worried how I would know if it was a new design or left over junk __________________ "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 ~

06-05-2015, 10:12 PM	#16
In The Ten Ring Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,427	Re: What is the deal with reproduction steering wheels? How do you like that? I start the thread and somebody else gets the OEM steering wheel! Oh well.....win some....lose some...



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