rusty dodge Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 (edited) Hey all, first time poster. Finally restoring a 55 c-3 I had from when I first started driving as a kid. Does anyone know where to find a matching steering wheel online to buy or can point me a general direction where to look for one? Thanks all. Edited February 22, 2017 by rusty dodge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty dodge Posted February 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 I guess the other question I have on this is whether anyone knows if other surrounding years steering wheels are the same. For example, did they use the same size and model wheel for x amount of years? If so it might help broaden my search. Thanks all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reg Evans Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 I would begin searching 55-57. Do you have your old wheel for comparison ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty dodge Posted February 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 I don't. The truck had an aftermarket wheel installed on it at the time I got it. I have found a salvage yard with a 57 steering wheel so I will have to check that one out but didn't know if if it was compatible before I drive across the state to get it. I know the wheel it is supposed to have is the 3 spoke. It should look like these which I found online pics of others 55's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reg Evans Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 Here's a photo of a 58 I use to own. Much different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kendall Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 Year 47 and older used a smooth tapered shaft and a crescent shaped key to fix the wheel. Later have splined shafts. That will limit you to later years. No loss tho because nothing but pure functionality came on these generation's' of trucks, although I did see an aftermarket horn trim ring on e-bay once. I finally resorted to a 14-3/4" banjo wheel to replace my 3-spoke 18" stock wheel on my 47 WC with great trepidation, fearing I wouldn't be able to muscle the truck around corners. Surprisingly the vehicle is more manageable and more fun to drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty dodge Posted February 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 Thanks for the input. Do you happen to know if the power wagons shared the same steering wheel? I have found one of the 3 spoke ones off a 47 power wagon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kendall Posted February 23, 2017 Report Share Posted February 23, 2017 The limited info. I spouted above came from a conversation I had with a vintage steering wheel restorer who was very knowledgable. I forgot his name but he creates a mold of originals, strips all the old material from your steel core and casts new acrylic around it. He should be findable on the web and may have good info or better yet a wheel or mold to cast you one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kendall Posted February 23, 2017 Report Share Posted February 23, 2017 'Quality restorations,Inc' in San Diego. He shows photo examples of Dodge trucks from 34 to 48 tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty dodge Posted February 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2017 Thank you, I've been in contact with him. He doesn't have any in the fifties, but it did broaden my scope as I can look for damaged wheels too and have the mold done from it. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBF Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 Measure the diameter of your steering shaft and splines. There is a difference in size (at least in the B series) between the 1/2-1 tons and the larger trucks. I had a really nice horn ring wheel from a 1/2 ton that I wanted to put in my 2 1/2 ton last week-wouldn't fit over the threads, so I restored the original larger wheel. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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