Steering Wheel Swap

[swanthog]

Does anyone know whether a '92 2500 Silverado 4x4 steering wheel mounts to an '80 K20 (w/ tilt column)?

Thanks in advance.

Lawrence F.

[enaberif]

As long as it doesn't have a airbag it should fit.

[swanthog]

Right.
These do not have airbags.
So, what really matters is:

• Spline count
• Shaft diameter
• Length from shaft end to seat (?)

Does this sound reasonable?
Anyone have these details?

Thanks,
LF

[TexasJeff]

I believe this is a true statement, at least for the older wheels it is, most every GM wheel with swap out, they are all the same spline and shaft diameter, and even the length of the shaft as long they are from the same era. I have a early Vega/Nova/Camaro wheel on my truck right now.

[swanthog]

Thanks everyone for your responses.
I want to buy this wheel off Ebay. I've always liked these having used one on my 1992 Silverado. They are very comfortable and look nice:




For reference, here are the measurements from my 1980 tilt wheel column:














Cheers!
Lawrence F.

[swanthog]

I finished installing the rebuilt column and installed the steering wheel. Everything lined up perfectly even the contact/spring/plunger for the horn was a direct match. Luckily the '92 steering wheel came with it's horn wire etc because it is a little longer than on the stock wheel.



Thanks everyone for you help.

--Lawrence F.

[swanthog]

I fixed up the image links that failed the first time:

Originally Posted by swanthog

Thanks everyone for your responses.
I want to buy this wheel off Ebay. I've always liked these having used one on my 1992 Silverado. They are very comfortable and look nice:

For reference, here are the measurements from my 1980 tilt wheel column:
















Cheers!
Lawrence F.

[CSHADES]

Just a bit of info to help you guys out. GM steering column splines have been the same from the 30's until they went to air bags. The one problem with swapping old wheels to newer columns and vise versa is the horn contact areas and sometimes the depth of the wheel mount area. I have used a early 60's wheel on a 70's column by turning down the mounting area then redrilling the hole for the horn contact to come through. I just did a 63 buick wheel on a 80's caprice column for my 39 chevy truck. That one also needed to be turned down and a new horn contact hole drilled.

[swanthog]

CSHADES,
Thanks for the info. I guess it makes sense that GM would want to prevent people putting older non-air bag steering wheels on their newer vehicles. This is a useful data point.

When you say "turn down mounting area" is the face on the back of the wheel or ?? Do you have a pic or illustration please?

Thank you,
Lawrence F.

[CSHADES]

I don't have a picture of that. It was something I came up with because some of the aftermarket steering wheel adapters were rubbing on the columns. What I ended up doing was using my brake lathe with the small arbor that I have. I chuck up the wheel and use the drum turning tool to slowly turn the bottom mount flange down until I get enough clearance on the column. I have an accu-turn brake lathe I don't know how other lathes will work.