Original Style Steering Wheel on Ididit Column?

[theastronaut]

We're building a '51 GMC at work and will be using an Ididit coulmn that uses a '69+ style steering wheel. The owners would like to keep the truck as original looking as possible (within reason) so we'd like to use an original style/period correct/vintage wheel. A GMC horn button would be a nice addition, as would a smaller 15 or 16" diameter. Any ideas or suggestions?

[mongocanfly]

flysocal did a great job on modifying his steering wheel in his build...
well it looks like pirates bucket got the pics in his thread to....
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=674804

[theastronaut]

Yeah, found his thread but the pics are gone. I've shrunk the outer rim before on the wheel for my '66 C10, but the '51 hub won't work with the ididit column. I guess a hub swap could be done but that would be a ton of work. I did find '55 Belair style wheels in 15" that'll work on an ididit column but they're out of stock everywhere.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by theastronaut

the '51 hub won't work with the ididit column.

does the ididit have a different spline than a GM column? GM has had the same spline since the 40s, I have a picture somewhere of a 47 steering wheel on a 1999 GM column. bolted right on (after I took off the airbag clockspring)

[theastronaut]

Even if it bolts on, the back of the steering wheel won't match up with the outside diameter of the column. Plus it won't have the tabs to cancel the turn signal switch, and the horn contacts are probably different. The back of the '51 wheel where it meets the column is only 2.75".

[Hampshire]

All my photobucket shots/build thread got wiped, but I am working on getting them to Flicker....however, can't seem to get the Flickr shots to embed in the image link, but here's a couple links to an Ididit hot rod column with a 54 wheel in a 49 truck.:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/103194...7684031425944/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/103194...7684031425944/

[jweb]

I have an Ididit column with a stock steering wheel. It's sort of a hack job but works for me. I'm sure someone could easily improve on the idea but I'm limited by my skills, tools and patience.

I used a Grant adapter and drilled 3 holes through the stock steering wheel. The adapter covers the large opening of the column, but I have no horn due to the bolts I added. My horn cap is just installed with 3M tape.


This is similar to what I used:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/g...del/c10-pickup

[Desert1957]

Dam , I was hoping someone had made this work, I was going to try it myself. Oh well.

[mongocanfly]

^^^^same here^^^^

[1project2many]

[Desert1957]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

That looks nice, any info on adapters? or will it bolt right on?

[1project2many]

Sorry, not my project. Those are the pictures Hampshire was attempting to link.

[Hampshire]

...Hey Shannen, thanks for getting my pictures up.

That looks nice, any info on adapters? or will it bolt right on?

I started with an Ididit standard hotrod column. At their suggestion, I got it from one of their dealers - RM Motorsports in Wisconsin...

http://rmmotorsports.com/

...I talked to a guy there (John Holyfield) & sent him my steering wheel. He does a lot of this. For a fee, he adapted the steering wheel to the column and then sent it to me. A visit to the paint shop and then I had it installed it. We also used Ididit's adjustable floor mount bracket at the firewall (there are other options, too)

[jweb]

It looks like the '54 wheel is larger at the base than the 47-53. If you could get a measurement of the base of the '54 wheel vs the head of the Ididit column, that would help answer your question.

[mongocanfly]

hampshire..that looks great..thanks for the info on where you got it done

[Hampshire]

The base of the 54 wheel and the diameter of the Ididit column were very close if not the same.

What led me make this change was that the roller bearing head on the original column had so much play (even with a new bearing) that it made a knocking sound at the slightest bump. Eliminating the noise plus getting self cancelling turn signals did it for me.

[Dan in Pasadena]

1Project2 Many - I REALLY like the way this wheel looks. I know that's not the subject of this thread, but I just thought I'd mention it.

I've been planning to replace my wheel with something a smaller diameter. But the pic makes me re-think if I can graft my center on a smaller wheel by welding and using JBWeld or some other epoxy?

Been thinking about this awhile and found THIS color combo somewhere:

[mongocanfly]

Dan. .I think what flysocal did was use a camaro ring and the AD center.and I think he used a eastwood steering wheel restoration kit along with some filler and paint..

[mongocanfly]

copied from flysocals build..
You will see on page 2 or 3 I modified a 54 wheel by cuttings the spokes out of the hoop. Then reducing the hoop by hand before welding the spokes back in. This method is very time consuming because you need a lot of epoxy to fill the gapping holes. Then you have to sculpt the knurles and shape with files and sandpaper. The hoop will tear drop and will drive you mad trying to get everything perfect like a factory wheel. I was happy with my first attempt but knew I could do better.On my second attempt I used a 1970 camaro solid plastic wheel (they also had soft plastic don't use it). Swapped the spokes with a 54 truck wheel. A little epoxy and much less sculpting. Much easier and better results. Lesson learned: don't attempt to reduce a wheel rather find a hoop with the correct diameter from a swap meet or ebay and graft the spokes!!

[mongocanfly]

and this from flysocal.
Been going back and forth with steering wheel ideas. Really like the con2r but I'm trying to make the stock wheel work. Decided to tackle the reduction to 15" and got the Eastwood kit to fill in all the cracks and gaping holes. The kit had almost enough epoxy but didn't quite get the job done. Happy with the wheel so far but time will tell if it looks decent in the end.*

[theastronaut]

Thanks for all the info, the '54 wheel looks like the way to go. I've reduced the diameter of a '66 wheel to 15" before so I'll find a '54 wheel and do a rim swap. I used PC-7 epoxy, which I think is the same thing Eastwood sells.

[1project2many]

Dan, I like the colors of the wheel you found.

When I repaired my original wheel I used a plastic repair epoxy, supposed to be more flexible. I also used flex additive in the paint. Over the years the cracks have come back but they are only visible when turning the wheel. When the truck is parked is tough to see them. I don't know if I would have had better luck with a hard epoxy.

[DrKrankenstein]

http://qualityrestorations.com/

This guy can take your factory wheel and make diameter smaller as well as fit to column

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

1Project2 Many - I REALLY like the way this wheel looks. I know that's not the subject of this thread, but I just thought I'd mention it.

I've been planning to replace my wheel with something a smaller diameter. But the pic makes me re-think if I can graft my center on a smaller wheel by welding and using JBWeld or some other epoxy?

Been thinking about this awhile and found THIS color combo somewhere:

I repaired and adapted that same column to the 82 Eldorado column in my truck. Biggest issue was figuring out how to get the horn button to work with the eldo set up since the stock mechanism uses a brass ring on the column to ground the horn button. Ground out the cracks with a dremell to create a bell shape. Filled with JB weld, file, sand repeat. Epoxy primer. Base coat (metallic black) and clear coat. Some guys use rattle can with good results too.

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by DrKrankenstein

http://qualityrestorations.com/

This guy can take your factory wheel and make diameter smaller as well as fit to column

I contacted him before I started this thread. Cost is $1800 for a 16" '51 style wheel, and another $200 to modify it to fit the Ididit column. A bit out of the budget for this truck...

I found a vintage 15" wheel on ebay and it arrived today. I'll post the process of swapping the 15" rim onto a '54/55 style wheel.