Are all repop steering wheels created equal? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

FlameOut · 09-08-2015, 11:52 AM

I'm tired of using a 67 Chevelle wheel on my 72 K10, and I'd like to go back to an original. They seem to go anywhere from $210 to $275 for the repop ones and I wondered if they are pretty much all the same? It seems like truckandcarshop.com has the best price. I checked all the supporting vendors and not sure where else to check. Any original wheel that I was able to find all seem to be lined with hidden gold, so I'm fine with a repop (I hope!!)

**RenoKeene** · 09-08-2015, 01:58 PM

The re-pops are probably all made by the same foreigners but I could be wrong. I do know that they are a lot more flimsy than OEM due to a much weaker inner core. Some folks don't mind this and others like me really don't like them at all.

FlameOut · 09-08-2015, 02:30 PM

I had heard that they were a bit flimsy, but the OEM wheels are so hard to come by. I ordered the repop chinese wheel, so hopefully it won't be to bad and I can take the Chevelle wheel off

**michael bustamante** · 09-08-2015, 02:42 PM

got any pics of the chevelle wheel? im interested if its avail. just pm me

cleszkie · 09-08-2015, 05:59 PM

I have noticed a variation in the "crispness" of the leathergrain patern on the spokes between different aftermarket wheels. Some are pretty nice and some are very bad like the mold was worn out.

**davischevy** · 09-08-2015, 11:03 PM

One manufacturer is all I could find. I have bought a couple, and they are flimsy.

Andy4639 · 09-09-2015, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlameOut

I'm tired of using a 67 Chevelle wheel on my 72 K10, and I'd like to go back to an original. They seem to go anywhere from $210 to $275 for the repop ones and I wondered if they are pretty much all the same? It seems like truckandcarshop.com has the best price. I checked all the supporting vendors and not sure where else to check. Any original wheel that I was able to find all seem to be lined with hidden gold, so I'm fine with a repop (I hope!!)

Why not try something like I did.
Wrap it in leather and use some foam pipe insulation from Lowes. I really like the feel of it and it makes my hands happy.
Yea I know I need to re do the thread at the end. That's one of my projects this winter.

Custom 68 · 09-09-2015, 10:54 AM

how did you stitch the cover on it? Was it just a piece of leather?

In The Ten Ring · 09-09-2015, 11:10 AM

I had a thread very similar to this one. I ended up sucking it up and buying an OEM in very nice shape. They come on the boards from time to time but expect to have to jump on them and pay a premium.

FlameOut · 09-09-2015, 11:36 AM

At least I'm not the only one that was using a 67 Chevelle wheel in my truck, lol. I'll try this repop I just bought, and just keep looking for an OEM. Michael, I'm not selling the wheel at this time. My plans were to do another 67 Chevelle, but I bought this 72 K10 instead. I have a few parts stashed away for my next Chevelle project though

Andy4639 · 09-09-2015, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Custom 68

how did you stitch the cover on it? Was it just a piece of leather?

I ordered the leather from a company that sells the stuff to do it yourself Dave.
I just went to Lowes and bought the pipe insulation to make it fatter.
The holes are already punched in the leather and they send you the leather thread to hand sew it together. Took me a few tries but I got it.

englands 71 · 09-09-2015, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Why not try something like I did.
Wrap it in leather and use some foam pipe insulation from Lowes. I really like the feel of it and it makes my hands happy.
Yea I know I need to re do the thread at the end. That's one of my projects this winter.

I'd use that wheel before I'd buy a Jap wheel

09-08-2015, 11:52 AM	#1
FlameOut Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 712	Are all repop steering wheels created equal? I'm tired of using a 67 Chevelle wheel on my 72 K10, and I'd like to go back to an original. They seem to go anywhere from $210 to $275 for the repop ones and I wondered if they are pretty much all the same? It seems like truckandcarshop.com has the best price. I checked all the supporting vendors and not sure where else to check. Any original wheel that I was able to find all seem to be lined with hidden gold, so I'm fine with a repop (I hope!!) __________________ Bill 2004 Chevy Silverado Z71 Ext Cab 1500 1972 Chevy K-10 SOLD 1967 Chevelle SS

09-08-2015, 01:58 PM	#2
RenoKeene Florida Edition Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fruitland Park, FL Posts: 4,029	Re: Are all repop steering wheels created equal? The re-pops are probably all made by the same foreigners but I could be wrong. I do know that they are a lot more flimsy than OEM due to a much weaker inner core. Some folks don't mind this and others like me really don't like them at all. __________________ 70 GMC Short Stepside "Rose"-An American Beauty: Factory 402/TH400, AM/FM, AC, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, Posi, PS, PB, 3-5 Drop, Complete Resto-Rod 67 C-20 Slant Back Wrecker "Mad Max" 67 C-10 Ratrod "Step-N-Wolf" 71 Serro Scotty Sportsman camper "Scotty" 97 LT1 Z28 "The Hornet" Link to more pics of "Rose" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...p?albumid=1684 Check out my "Cheap Tricks" thread and add to it if you can, lots of good info there. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=489394

09-08-2015, 02:30 PM	#3
FlameOut Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 712	Re: Are all repop steering wheels created equal? I had heard that they were a bit flimsy, but the OEM wheels are so hard to come by. I ordered the repop chinese wheel, so hopefully it won't be to bad and I can take the Chevelle wheel off __________________ Bill 2004 Chevy Silverado Z71 Ext Cab 1500 1972 Chevy K-10 SOLD 1967 Chevelle SS

09-08-2015, 02:42 PM	#4
michael bustamante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 7,862	Re: Are all repop steering wheels created equal? got any pics of the chevelle wheel? im interested if its avail. just pm me __________________ 1967custom

09-08-2015, 05:59 PM	#5
cleszkie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Santa Ana, CA Posts: 2,191	Re: Are all repop steering wheels created equal? I have noticed a variation in the "crispness" of the leathergrain patern on the spokes between different aftermarket wheels. Some are pretty nice and some are very bad like the mold was worn out.

09-08-2015, 11:03 PM	#6
davischevy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Harrison, Arkansas Posts: 9,863	Re: Are all repop steering wheels created equal? One manufacturer is all I could find. I have bought a couple, and they are flimsy. __________________ other Larry Build thread, Arkansas K10 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=755797&page=5 The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.

09-09-2015, 10:54 AM	#8
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,939	Re: Are all repop steering wheels created equal? how did you stitch the cover on it? Was it just a piece of leather? __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"

09-09-2015, 11:10 AM	#9
In The Ten Ring Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,427	Re: Are all repop steering wheels created equal? I had a thread very similar to this one. I ended up sucking it up and buying an OEM in very nice shape. They come on the boards from time to time but expect to have to jump on them and pay a premium.

09-09-2015, 11:36 AM	#10
FlameOut Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 712	Re: Are all repop steering wheels created equal? At least I'm not the only one that was using a 67 Chevelle wheel in my truck, lol. I'll try this repop I just bought, and just keep looking for an OEM. Michael, I'm not selling the wheel at this time. My plans were to do another 67 Chevelle, but I bought this 72 K10 instead. I have a few parts stashed away for my next Chevelle project though __________________ Bill 2004 Chevy Silverado Z71 Ext Cab 1500 1972 Chevy K-10 SOLD 1967 Chevelle SS



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