Finally got my new (old) steering wheel installed! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Cap'n Hook · 02-27-2010, 12:29 PM

I picked up a used GMC original style steering wheel for $15 about 4 or 5 months ago off the board. I needed something to replace the Camaro style wheel I had in the '72 Jimmy.

I wet sanded the wheel with 400 I think, then scuffed and cleaned it real good. I used the Duplicolor rattle cans from Autozone, with a couple coats of primer, couple coats of base, and a couple coats of clear. I have about $50-$60 in it total now, and a nice original style wheel that looks 100 times better than the Camaro wheel!

The first picture is the wheel the way I received it! The pictures installed don't do it justice. It's nice shinny black, not the dusty look in the pictures.

Monte Carlo Man · 02-28-2010, 05:40 PM

You bought what?

I threw mine away 25 years ago.

The darn thing looked like it came off the Queen Mary and most times it cracked if you leaned on it too hard.

Cap'n Hook · 02-28-2010, 07:41 PM

Well the Camaro wheel looked terrible, and I just like the look of the original wheel. I looked at alot of aftermarket wheels, but all where too "Look at me!". So I went back to original.

Ya, it's big, but it looks at home in a "1972" model truck!

SONOSADSACK · 02-28-2010, 09:55 PM

The wheel looks great. I just put a ’72 style wheel back into my ’72 and think it looks perfect. Not only looks right, but feels right too.

Cap'n Hook · 03-01-2010, 03:57 PM

I too thought the '72 wheel "feels" right for the '72 truck!

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 03-02-2010, 07:29 AM

I put the OEM 17" wheel back on my '71 Jimmy a few years ago. The PO had put on a cheesey-looking Grant wheel. The 17" wheel steered a lot better. Also the Grant wheel started coming loose every 750 miles or so. Look right. Feels right.

**jaros44sr** · 03-02-2010, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte Carlo Man

You bought what?

I threw mine away 25 years ago.

The darn thing looked like it came off the Queen Mary and most times it cracked if you leaned on it too hard.

How does one go about gettin' suspended in the first month on the board?

I agree, stock steering wheel looks great on your truck, just wish they came padded for my comfort. Sometimes you just need leverage to get these beasts to turn in the direction you want

Nice job on the restoration of the wheel

Cap'n Hook · 03-02-2010, 09:50 PM

I love the look & feel of the original wheel, but do agree it needs a way to add some kind of padding! Have you ever driven a BMW? That padding/thickness plus this retro wheel, and you'd have a winner!

02-27-2010, 12:29 PM	#1
Cap'n Hook Workin to live... Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 261	Finally got my new (old) steering wheel installed! I picked up a used GMC original style steering wheel for $15 about 4 or 5 months ago off the board. I needed something to replace the Camaro style wheel I had in the '72 Jimmy. I wet sanded the wheel with 400 I think, then scuffed and cleaned it real good. I used the Duplicolor rattle cans from Autozone, with a couple coats of primer, couple coats of base, and a couple coats of clear. I have about $50-$60 in it total now, and a nice original style wheel that looks 100 times better than the Camaro wheel! The first picture is the wheel the way I received it! The pictures installed don't do it justice. It's nice shinny black, not the dusty look in the pictures. __________________ Jason

02-28-2010, 05:40 PM	#2
Monte Carlo Man Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 85	Re: Finally got my new (old) steering wheel installed! You bought what? I threw mine away 25 years ago. The darn thing looked like it came off the Queen Mary and most times it cracked if you leaned on it too hard.

02-28-2010, 07:41 PM	#3
Cap'n Hook Workin to live... Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 261	Re: Finally got my new (old) steering wheel installed! Well the Camaro wheel looked terrible, and I just like the look of the original wheel. I looked at alot of aftermarket wheels, but all where too "Look at me!". So I went back to original. Ya, it's big, but it looks at home in a "1972" model truck! __________________ Jason

02-28-2010, 09:55 PM	#4
SONOSADSACK Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 301	Re: Finally got my new (old) steering wheel installed! The wheel looks great. I just put a ’72 style wheel back into my ’72 and think it looks perfect. Not only looks right, but feels right too.

03-01-2010, 03:57 PM	#5
Cap'n Hook Workin to live... Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 261	Re: Finally got my new (old) steering wheel installed! I too thought the '72 wheel "feels" right for the '72 truck! __________________ Jason

03-02-2010, 07:29 AM	#6
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,504	Re: Finally got my new (old) steering wheel installed! I put the OEM 17" wheel back on my '71 Jimmy a few years ago. The PO had put on a cheesey-looking Grant wheel. The 17" wheel steered a lot better. Also the Grant wheel started coming loose every 750 miles or so. Look right. Feels right. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

03-02-2010, 09:50 PM	#8
Cap'n Hook Workin to live... Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 261	Re: Finally got my new (old) steering wheel installed! I love the look & feel of the original wheel, but do agree it needs a way to add some kind of padding! Have you ever driven a BMW? That padding/thickness plus this retro wheel, and you'd have a winner! __________________ Jason



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