Replacement Steering Wheel

[landy]

So just picked up a '72 Blazer with a funky, small diameter steering wheel which I want to replace. I'd like to put a stock wheel back on, but realize those might be hard to find and expensive. I see lots of aftermarket ones on Ebay. What diameter was the original wheel? What are other folks using as replacement wheels?

Thanks!

[mustardjimmy71]

Reproduction wheels are available. lmc has them but the original diameter is huge.

[landy]

I saw replacement wheels on LMC - they are expensive. I see lots of pics of Blazers with aftermarket steering wheels, so surely someone has some experience with them. What sizes and brands are you using? Any change in the ease of steering? Like them or not?

Thanks!

[theboxer]

I put on an aftermarket, and went back to stock. The afermarket worked well, I just like the stock look and feel. Personel preference I guess?

[landy]

I agree. I like the stock look, too. Just didn't want to pay that much for a wheel! Maybe I can find a used one.

[VA72C10]

The reproduction ones used to be junk but now are pretty good. I have had a couple of them and they're fine if not going for a 100% NOS resto...

You can find an original reproduction on ebay for around 180 or so from time to time....

[leddzepp]

diameter of the original wheel is 17"

[landy]

For those of you who have used a smaller diameter wheel, what sizes have you used, and did you like them or not?

The current one on mine looks like something of a Cali lowrider, sans the chain look!

[rsavage]

I have a couple of Grant 15" wood wheels - one in my Burb and one in the Blazer. I have a stock wheel in my 70 shortbed. I like the 15" diameter, but will replace the wood wheel in the Blazer with a stock one when I find a real nice one reasonable.

[Firebirdjones]

The original wheels are like driving a bus, I wouldn't pay the money they want for those unless they started making them smaller
I've complained of that for years, they make reproduction copies of original wheels in smaller versions for tri 5 chevys and corvettes, but nothing for the trucks.......no love

I like factory wheels from that same era so I just went with a NOS 70 Olds 442 wheel that I had in the stash (4 spoke comfort grip). Probably won't find one nowadays unless you pay $4-500. It's 15" diameter and seems to be just about right. I finished it with a 1970 chevy bowtie horn button, (about $35).
It was either that or buy a new chevy 3 spoke comfort grip wheel or woodrain grip (1970 version), neither of those are any cheaper than the original wheel though.

[mustardjimmy71]

at 4:40 foos cuts up an original and makes it smaller. Ive seen pics of the finnished product they wrappes it with black leather and orange stitching

[RED72blazer]

I've had a few wheels on my blazer in multiply sizes, I like the stock the best.

[mustardjimmy71]

oops heres the vid

OverHaulin' Chevy Pick Up Truck - YouTube

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by RED72blazer

I've had a few wheels on my blazer in multiply sizes, I like the stock the best.

Holy cow, you need arms like an ape to work that thing With my stubs it was a workout to complete the entire circumfrence I thought I was driving a motor coach.

[PD1292]

Here is two like the one i am using on my truck and blazer. I dont remember which year models it is out of, but i have a center cap that is cheverlet on my truck and a gmc one that is on my jimmy. they work fine but have a little bigger gap (not much) between the wheel and column. I saw these on the teeitups "valentines day specials" on the parts board today.

[PD1292]

i even made a jumper wire that connects the original horn to the new wheel. I will try to get a picture of it.

[tmoney]

Has anyone looked into putting the 2006 chevy steering wheel in? I wanted to do something like that with the steering wheel radio controls.

[AlaskaMatt]

Personally I love the huge old wagon wheel. Just feels right.

[MrGoodpliers]

The way I see it is this. I LOVE these old trucks. The steering wheel is the one piece that you are always touching (or should be) while going down the road. My trucks will always have the nicest original steering wheels I can find/afford. The reproduction steering wheels while pretty to look at do not have the correct grain and I love the feel of a nice original.

[4oldcars]

I use Corvette steering wheels in all my cars, always have. Street rods and classics. I'm building what I think is probably my last car now, a 71 2wd Jimmy. It's on jack stands but I have already bought the Corvette steering wheel for it. It's thin. Smaller. Feels good. Looks good. It's a personal thing. Everybody personalizes their ride.

[RED72blazer]

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

Holy cow, you need arms like an ape to work that thing With my stubs it was a workout to complete the entire circumfrence I thought I was driving a motor coach.

Larger diameter wheels equal more mechanical advantage on rest of the steering system. I can go lock to lock with one finger. when I had 14 inch and 15 inch wheels on it it required more steering effort, enough that my girl can't drive it easily.....and I don't like having a vehicle that someone else can't drive if something was to happen to me while out in the woods. It works for me, and since I actually drive big trucks with big steering wheels it still feels kinda small.

[mbelle1982]

Rsavage... You looking to sell that one?
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[tples k5]

[IMG][/IMG]

heres mine I just bought and put on today

[rsavage]

mbelle1982- not right away. I'll be looking for a good reasonable stock black one but it takes awhile to find the right deal.

[mbelle1982]

Roger that savage...thanks
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