Impala steering wheel...

[REDNOSE65]

I went to install my 1965 Impala steering wheel on my rig yesterday. Didn't happen. The steering collum is off a 68 Chevy Pick Up. Do I need some sort of adaptor??? Or what do I need to install it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I don't have pics of the Impala steering wheel, but here's the collum and the steering wheel on it now....
Thanks in advance guys!!!

[chevy_mike]

Don't quote me but I thought somewhere around '66-'67 GM changed the splines on the shaft and used that well into the late '90's. Anything earlier had to use early wheels or for an aftermarket steering wheel, an adapter for the earlier years. I think the '65 Impala wheel would have worked with your stock column but not the '68. This is going by memory back years ago when I bought an adapter and had to make sure I got the right year range.

Not sure if that helps but I am guessing there is not a way to get the '65 wheel onto the '68 column. Again, don't quote me 100%.

[markeb01]

To the best of my knowledge the splines never changed from when they started using them (in the 30’s?) until at least 1984, but there are at least two differences between the 55-68 & 69-84 attachments. The outer diameter of the later column is larger than the early models. In order to make the early wheel look correct, there is an adapter kit that provides a ring to attach to the back of the wheel, which matches up the size of the wheel to the larger column.

http://www.classicchevy.com/chevy-st...1955-1968.html

The bigger problem is the depth of the turn signal mechanism and locking/hold down plate within the newer column (essentially how high up the shaft sticks out of the column. I bought the adapter kit for mine, and attempted to install one of the smaller retro 59 Impala wheels. My column is a 69-84 aftermarket model from Butch’s Rod Shop (long since out of business). Some of the 69-84 columns are like mine having the turn signal mechanism and upper locking plate set too deep in the housing, while others have the switch and plate assemblies mounted nearer the top of the steering shaft.

Even though the splines matched up, it was impossible to install the wheel since the plastic back of the wheel ran into the column housing before the hub could seat on the splines, and I could barely get the nut to engage the first threads on the shaft. With or without the adapter ring, the wheel hit the column and when I tried to tighten the steering shaft nut, the wheel was clamped to the housing and could not be turned. If this is the problem you’re facing, the only option I know of is to replace the column with a something different. My budget was stretched to the limit so I gave up and sold the wheel instead. Someone else may have a solution to this problem but I didn’t come up with one.

[chevy_mike]

Hummm... makes me wonder if the different adapters I saw wasn't due to the depth difference you talk about and nothing to do with shaft size. Interesting info...

[DPowers]

http://www.crowderscustomizing.com/

Try contacting these guys- I used a '64 Impala column and a Dino steering wheel. I looked everywhere and these guys were quite knowledgeable and were able to hook me up.

[chopper john]

if you go back to stock column you can run it no problem

[chopper john]

this is mine

[Rogue]

I have been looking for a '61 Impala wheel for mine, that looks just as good as I imagined.

[chopper john]

thanks brother. i also have a clean 63 steeringweheel ive been thinkin about putting on

[REDNOSE65]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Don't quote me but I thought somewhere around '66-'67 GM changed the splines on the shaft and used that well into the late '90's. Anything earlier had to use early wheels or for an aftermarket steering wheel, an adapter for the earlier years. I think the '65 Impala wheel would have worked with your stock column but not the '68. This is going by memory back years ago when I bought an adapter and had to make sure I got the right year range.

Not sure if that helps but I am guessing there is not a way to get the '65 wheel onto the '68 column. Again, don't quote me 100%.

It's looking that way.
Thanks for your input on this.

Originally Posted by markeb01

To the best of my knowledge the splines never changed from when they started using them (in the 30’s?) until at least 1984, but there are at least two differences between the 55-68 & 69-84 attachments. The outer diameter of the later column is larger than the early models. In order to make the early wheel look correct, there is an adapter kit that provides a ring to attach to the back of the wheel, which matches up the size of the wheel to the larger column.

http://www.classicchevy.com/chevy-st...1955-1968.html

The bigger problem is the depth of the turn signal mechanism and locking/hold down plate within the newer column (essentially how high up the shaft sticks out of the column. I bought the adapter kit for mine, and attempted to install one of the smaller retro 59 Impala wheels. My column is a 69-84 aftermarket model from Butch’s Rod Shop (long since out of business). Some of the 69-84 columns are like mine having the turn signal mechanism and upper locking plate set too deep in the housing, while others have the switch and plate assemblies mounted nearer the top of the steering shaft.

Even though the splines matched up, it was impossible to install the wheel since the plastic back of the wheel ran into the column housing before the hub could seat on the splines, and I could barely get the nut to engage the first threads on the shaft. With or without the adapter ring, the wheel hit the column and when I tried to tighten the steering shaft nut, the wheel was clamped to the housing and could not be turned. If this is the problem you’re facing, the only option I know of is to replace the column with a something different. My budget was stretched to the limit so I gave up and sold the wheel instead. Someone else may have a solution to this problem but I didn’t come up with one.

Yes that's exactly the problem I'm having.
Thanks for your input.

Originally Posted by DPowers

http://www.crowderscustomizing.com/

Try contacting these guys- I used a '64 Impala column and a Dino steering wheel. I looked everywhere and these guys were quite knowledgeable and were able to hook me up.

Thanks man.

Originally Posted by chopper john

if you go back to stock column you can run it no problem

ima see what my options are, but I may have to do that Johnny.
Thanks bro!

[REDNOSE65]