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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Durango Colo.
Posts: 74
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Steering wheel
Good afternoon everyone,
I have been searching for an original reproduction steering wheel but with a 15 inch diameter for my 1965 C10. The only thing that I can find is at americanretco.com. It fits 60-66 Chev and GMC trucks and it has 15 inch diameter. It is very pricey but it's what I am looking for. Has anyone used on of these or have other sources? Thanks, Frank |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sonora California
Posts: 280
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Re: Steering wheel
I cut my steering wheel to 15". it is a bit of work but it helps with leg room.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Durango Colo.
Posts: 74
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Re: Steering wheel
Thanks 62 Bagger, I am afraid this might be above my skill level. I would end up wrecking my perfectly good steering wheel. Yours certainly looks very nice, great job.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Posts: 434
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Re: Steering wheel
Oh wow! Those American Retro wheels are NICE! Wish they had the '65 Deluxe Wheel but the '66 wheel is good enough for me!
__________________
Travis' Tribute Truck - 65 C10 Frame Up Restoration http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=495073 |
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#5 |
It's Better With Nitro
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chino Hills, CA
Posts: 2,261
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Re: Steering wheel
I've done a few reduced diameter 60-65 deluxe steering wheels, including the one I run in my C10. It's not too difficult...just time intensive. If you have the time, you can pick up a spare wheel and cut it down, so you're not risking your existing steering wheel.
__________________
1963 C-10: Deluxe-optioned cab, shortbed, fleetside Pontiac 462 ci, Kauffman D-Port alum. heads 4L80E, narrowed sheetmetal Ford 9-inch Tubular front and rear suspension Custom 6-piston front disc and 4-piston rear disc brakes |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lexington, SC
Posts: 324
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Re: Steering wheel
Would you be available to do these for others? I'd be fine with just a cut down and weld, I could handle the rest.
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Burbank, CA
Posts: 3,608
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Re: Steering wheel
Those are totally awesome steering wheels. Here is the link to American Retro. They are a little pricey but less than what I paid for my aftermarket aluminum wheel.
https://americanretro.com/1960-66-truck/ |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Durango Colo.
Posts: 74
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Re: Steering wheel
Happy Easter All,
I ended up buying the 60-66 C10 steering wheel from americanretco.com. As I previously stated, I wanted the original look with a 15 inch diameter wheel. This thing is top notch and meets all my expectations, nicely done. My order was shipped within hours of placement and it arrived quickly. The shipping was free and no added tax. My horn and turn signals work just as they did before. It's expensive, but I couldn't find any other options for what I wanted. The hard was convincing my wife on the cost of it. For more details, check their website. Hairball . |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,184
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Re: Steering wheel
Thanks for following up on this. I have been considering one of these for my 64 Suburban.
I purchased the smaller diameter wheel for my 51 pickup from Speedway and I was very disappointed in the quality and fit. It's good to know the American Retro worked out.
__________________
1951 Truck, LS1/4L60 1964 Suburban, current project 2014 Silverado daily driver 1953 Westerner "canned ham" trailer, rebuilt 1974 Prowler trailer, rebuilt |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Where Mountaineers are free
Posts: 404
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Re: Steering wheel
To the guys who have cut down their wheel......is there a Youtube video on this?
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#11 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sonora California
Posts: 280
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Re: Steering wheel
Check out this posting. that is where I put the pictures of my steering wheel cut down. Its a bit of work but you will be happy with the results.
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...Steering+wheel |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Loveland, Colorado
Posts: 9
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Re: Steering wheel
Any of you guys have trouble with the horn grey spring loaded plunger? I have this wheel and that plunger won’t fit into the hole in the steering wheel without drilling the hole larger. I can’t get it to fit and the horn won’t work because of it.
This is someone else’s photo but my contact won’t slide into the steering wheel without sanding the plastic significantly or opening the hole in the metal of the steering wheel. |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Durango Colo.
Posts: 74
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Re: Steering wheel
I measured the diameter of the plastic contact bushing and it was 31/64ths. I enlarged the hole in the steering wheel to that size using a 31/64 drill bit. Hope this helps.
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Loveland, Colorado
Posts: 9
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Re: Steering wheel
Thx, glad I'm not the only one with this issue. I'm just going to return the wheel and order from another company. I just can't believe these companies can't figure this crap out before shipping something. For the price of this wheel no one should have to be drilling a hold out larger. I actually didn't like the 15" size anyway. Felt like I was holding on to a go-kart wheel.
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Durango Colo.
Posts: 74
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Re: Steering wheel
I would also recommend sending it back. After all the screwing around, I found yet another major design flaw that made my horn inoperative. I was able to make it work after much time spent and frustration (I was beyond the 30 day return policy). I contacted Mike at mike@americanretco.com about the issues and was ghosted after his first initial email. After all the hassle and lack of customer service, I would not recommend this company. Hope they make it right for you.
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#16 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 786
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Re: Steering wheel
I bought the '66 C10 Deluxe American Retro 15" wheel and found the same problem. Thought maybe they left a piece out of the parts kit, but no. Yes, it's sad that these people can't get simple things right. I ended up carefully sanding down the OD of the gray plastic end from .483" to .450". That worked and the rest of the install went well. It's been 3 months and all is well so far.
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Burbank, CA
Posts: 3,608
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Re: Steering wheel
I had to do the same thing with an aftermarket aluminum wheel from CPP. It came with it's own plunger that didn't even fit the wheel.
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