47-55.1 Steering wheel re-size

[JDarby]

Has anyone taken there stock steering wheel and reduced the size to 13"?

[leegreen]

not personally but thinking about it. others have

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=457422

somewhere there is a older thread where the person used a plywood jig to help get the shape right and hold the parts - I can't find it. it appeared that he cut the rim into three sections, re-radiused them and welded back then filled/reshaped with epoxy

A recent thread somewhat related in that it involves mods to wheel
https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=848994

[fauXGT]

13". wow.
Most of us have done 15". 13" sounds like chrome chain size.

[JDarby]

hahahhahahaha.....not a Low rider!

So Sorry meant 15" or anything less than stock radius!

I have a 55.1' GMC and would like to retain my original center cap and I have always liked the finger grooves in the originals!

[mr48chev]

`Now you have me wondering if I kept the wheel I took out of the 51 donor cab.

I'm thinking that the one I saw and it may have been a HAMB tech article used a smaller hoop welded to the spokes and they routered grooves in the plywood or mfd board to make a mold to pour the resin in to mold the wheel.

The big problem with AD truck wheels and probably the 53 BelAir wheel I have saved back for my 48 is the bakelite that the wheel is made of to begin with. That stuff gets brittle and does't play well with other materials.

[fauXGT]

Before I worked on my wheel, I did a ton of research.
When fixing cracks, not just open up the finite cracks but under-cut an inverted v into the wheel then pour or jamb the epoxy. That way the filler wont 'pop' out. I wore a respirator while cutting, grinding and sanding, being the center seemed a bit dry powdery or fiberus. Wasn't sure if it might contain asbestos, which alot of bakelite objects did. I used stick form Polywater and J-B weld epoxies. Made molds for pouring with very heavy aluminum tape that has a sticky side. The rim was a 2 spoke Lecarra from Speedway. Hours and hours of sanding.

[leegreen]

Is it possible to cut the AD rim into 3 or 4 sections and tighten the radius of each section?
This is what I saw in a post somewhere, but the pictures did not really show the process well. The final result looked good in the one picture but I could not tell if it was a true circle or a 'clover' shape. I have concerns that trying to bend it might break the Bakelite off

you could make a silicon mold of a section of the AD rim with the finger grooves and use it to recast the rim with epoxy at the welded spots. Smooth-on is a brand commonly used by model makers

[fauXGT]

I tried using the mold method but the transition from rim to spoke you had to make was a PITA. You are dealing with 3 different transitions on a new rim to an old spoke. If it was old to old, the mold method for a transition would be easy with minimal cleanup on mold before casting. Mine leaked out J B weld.
But on just a rim repair pour, that would be easy.
Had to cut back enough bakelite to weld, then fill back in. have about 30 hours in, not counting the hurry up and wait for the goop to harden.

[JDarby]

This is the subject at hand!

I've always liked how my hand fits on the center piece,
and would like to keep as much of that a possible to have a 15" wheel.

This Wheel has a very nice GMC center circle!

Someone make's a Chevrolet flat top circle center piece 15" wheel that looks real nice but I'd lose my GMC center circle so I'm out on that one.

There are a lot of really nice wheels out on the market and I am
just trying to weigh all my options out.

My IDIDIT column should be here any day now,
it's been months since I ordered it!

[Dan in Pasadena]

If you're willing to spend the money there is at least one company that is already making them in a smaller diameter and will color them anyway you want INCLUDING clear with color! I'll post a couple example photos from their site and link below:

https://qualityrestorations.com/chevyreduced-diameter/

[unclebrad]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

If you're willing to spend the money there is at least one company that is already making them in a smaller diameter and will color them anyway you want INCLUDING clear with color! I'll post a couple example photos from their site and link below:

https://qualityrestorations.com/chevyreduced-diameter/

Beautiful!

I like the idea of doing one myself but no matter how much time I put into it, I doubt I would ever get to that level of quality.

[jwilson645]

Speedway has the 47-54 in a 15".

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/47-54...5-b942a09c90ea

[unclebrad]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

If you're willing to spend the money there is at least one company that is already making them in a smaller diameter and will color them anyway you want INCLUDING clear with color! I'll post a couple example photos from their site and link below:

https://qualityrestorations.com/chevyreduced-diameter/

If one WAS willing to spend the money, do you have any idea of just how much money one would spend for one of those?

[JDarby]

I just put a request in on pricing and lead time, I will let you know what I am told when I hear back.

Those sure are some beautiful looking wheels!!!

[JDarby]

Here is what Dennisqualityrestorations.gmail said:

single color with lifetime warranty $2900.00
these are not painted but solid color wheels
for the continental us there is a return shipping charge
of $75-$125 with insurance of $3200.00

For the 2 color cast wheels add $700 for the 2nd color

8-10 week turn around!

Wheels can be modified to fit GM style aftermarket columns
such as Flaming River and IDIDIT add $200

I will say his wheels look amazing to me!!
I love the 2 tone GMC wheel and would love one in my colors

[unclebrad]

Yes, they do look amazing.

That's a big price tag for improvement but I'm thinking I would go that route before attempting the DIY route. (When I take on a new project, it usually takes three times as long and costs three times the money, and it rarely turns out exactly as I had wanted.)

[mick53]

I have a 53 3100. I shortened my column tube and shaft I think 3 or 4 inches so I could use the 57-59 dished wheel and the cool integrated turn signal switch. I restored one wheel but I have another unrestored wheel to try with. I paid less than $20 for it. I'm now adding EPAS Performance electric P/S and a 1.5 steering quickener. A smaller wheel would be nice. I'm going to give it a shot. I have the tools we'll see about the talent. It's a pretty simple wheel. I could probably mold a red band at the top center. When I restored the first wheel I used the P something epoxy and it went well.

[unclebrad]

Originally Posted by mick53

I have a 53 3100. I shortened my column tube and shaft I think 3 or 4 inches so I could use the 57-59 dished wheel and the cool integrated turn signal switch. I restored one wheel but I have another unrestored wheel to try with. I paid less than $20 for it. I'm now adding EPAS Performance electric P/S and a 1.5 steering quickener. A smaller wheel would be nice. I'm going to give it a shot. I have the tools we'll see about the talent. It's a pretty simple wheel. I could probably mold a red band at the top center. When I restored the first wheel I used the P something epoxy and it went well.

If you take pictures along the way, I'd love to follow your progress.

[mick53]

Originally Posted by unclebrad

If you take pictures along the way, I'd love to follow your progress.

I'll head to the junkyard next week to look for a doner ring.