buds truck Posted August 5, 2012 Report Posted August 5, 2012 Let me preface this to say I had this idea about a year ago, but hadn't quite figured out a way to do it that made sense, then Custom Classic Truck magazine had an article that was just what the Doctor ordered. So I went out today, took a deep breath, grabbed my trusty die grinder and shrunk it from 17 inches to 15 inches. This will give me much more room between me (or the wifey) and the steering wheel. I already adapted the wheel to a Chev tilt column and since the truck has power rack and pinion, the larger steering wheel was unnecessary, but the style was so cool, I didn't want to get something else. I love the style of 49 thru about 54 Plymouth steering wheels and I had already put a 49 Plymouth dash in the truck. First pic is of my 49 Plymouth so you can see what the size was before I shrunk it. I built a jig 2 inches smaller than the outer circumfrence of the original wheel, drilled a center hole, turned the jig upside down, set the wheel on it and made blocks that would keep the wheel center at the right height. I used a half inch bolt and then slid a lug not down the bolt so the taper slipped into the center of the wheel so it centered the wheel correctly when tightened down. I took all that off the jig, turned it around and then cut the center out of the wheel at the at the outermost part of the 3 bars. The outer wheel was then cut at the bottom, squeezed into the jig and the excess cut off. If I had to do it over again, I would have taken an equal amount from each side instead of all on one side, it would have evened out the openings I made so I could weld the center in again. After welding the hoop together, I ground off access areas for the bars so I could cut, fit and weld it in again. I put the center on with the spacers I made previously, cut, trimmed and welded it back in. The last pic shows the areas ground off and ready for filling and shaping. You can see the difference from the first pic to the last if you look at the horn ring. I know its not a Dodge truck steering wheel and the purists probably hate me, but it's what I do.... Hope you like it. I will post pics of the repair of the wheel as I get to it. Pics will be in a couple posts. Bud Quote
pflaming Posted August 5, 2012 Report Posted August 5, 2012 I read that article today. Question: When you "force" that wheel into a tighter circumferance, isn't it then in 'spring tension' or do you force it past the intended circumferance and then bring it back? How much smaller did you make it, from where to where? Quote
Dave72dt Posted August 5, 2012 Report Posted August 5, 2012 I like it! Did it crack the outer covering when you pulled it in? Quote
buds truck Posted August 5, 2012 Author Report Posted August 5, 2012 I read that article today. Question: When you "force" that wheel into a tighter circumferance, isn't it then in 'spring tension' or do you force it past the intended circumferance and then bring it back?How much smaller did you make it, from where to where? Yes, it under spring tension, but it stays there when you weld the two together. I made it 2 inches smaller. from 17 inches to 15 inches (approximate) I like it! Did it crack the outer covering when you pulled it in? Suprisingly, the outer covering is quite flexible. Go figure.... Wish I was that flexible after all those years...... Quote
pflaming Posted August 5, 2012 Report Posted August 5, 2012 FLEXIBLE? Nana and I took the grandkids bowling last night. Dang, that first ball bounced a mile high, never could get down for an on the floor release. EMBARASSING! Quote
buds truck Posted August 5, 2012 Author Report Posted August 5, 2012 I just ordered the PC-7 today for the steering wheel repair, will be a week out, but I have a lot to do on the rest of the truck in the meantime..... Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted August 5, 2012 Report Posted August 5, 2012 do you hve a local Pep Boys..they are supposed to be a retailer for the PC-7 now...but of course what size containers they have may be another question Quote
buds truck Posted August 5, 2012 Author Report Posted August 5, 2012 Tim, I live in a town so small that if you sneeze, you have missed it. We are lucky to have a Napa and (horrors) and an Autozone. I bought the 1 lb kit so I won't run out. Quote
buds truck Posted August 12, 2012 Author Report Posted August 12, 2012 first coat of PC-7 on it today. Quote
carl b51 Posted August 12, 2012 Report Posted August 12, 2012 Looks real good Bud , hows the dash coming along ? Carl Quote
buds truck Posted August 12, 2012 Author Report Posted August 12, 2012 Carl, the dash is ready for the finish work. the gauges trim is all done and ready, I still need to adapt a electric temp gauge into the old bulb gauge spot. I am now working on the underside floorboard and getting it ready to spray on the bed liner. Then I start on allllll the finish bodywork. Quote
buds truck Posted September 17, 2012 Author Report Posted September 17, 2012 last coat of PC-7 on it. I should be able to prime it this week. Quote
buds truck Posted October 1, 2012 Author Report Posted October 1, 2012 Don't know if anyone is interested with the lack of responses, but here it is after sanding and needing a few small areas still filled. It's really close now Quote
Dave72dt Posted October 1, 2012 Report Posted October 1, 2012 Looks good. I noticed it made the center bars look more substancial. keep the updates coming. I've been following your build since you started. Always good, always interesting. Quote
pflaming Posted October 1, 2012 Report Posted October 1, 2012 Bud, it's not that we're not interested, we're just too envious to admit it. Keep us informed. You have power steering so a smaller wheel will not impact steering, I wonder if a smaller wheel would make it harder to drive a stock front end? Quote
buds truck Posted October 1, 2012 Author Report Posted October 1, 2012 I had a custom steering wheel on a 53 Chev when I was a kid, it is alot harder to turn when not moving, not so bad when you are on the road. Quote
karl head Posted October 1, 2012 Report Posted October 1, 2012 Great job with the wheel, I've been keeping an eye on it since you started its always interesting to see what others are doing and learn alittle along the way. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. karl Quote
40P10touring sedan Posted October 1, 2012 Report Posted October 1, 2012 do you hve a local Pep Boys..they are supposed to be a retailer for the PC-7 now...but of course what size containers they have may be another question Ace hardware carries it too, that's where I got mine from. Quote
40P10touring sedan Posted October 1, 2012 Report Posted October 1, 2012 I'm following it in "both places"...no build there though like here. Excellent work but I have a question; was the back of the steering wheel open enough to fit a tilt column to start with...or did/do you have to resculpt the back to do so? My wheel, off of my '40 ply has a really small flange to fit over the stock 1 1/2" steering tube..fine for just that bu no good should I ever wish to switch up to a tilt column. Options are a wonderful thing! Keep up the fine work...it not unappreciated. Quote
buds truck Posted October 1, 2012 Author Report Posted October 1, 2012 I'm following it in "both places"...no build there though like here.Excellent work but I have a question; was the back of the steering wheel open enough to fit a tilt column to start with...or did/do you have to resculpt the back to do so? My wheel, off of my '40 ply has a really small flange to fit over the stock 1 1/2" steering tube..fine for just that bu no good should I ever wish to switch up to a tilt column. Options are a wonderful thing! Keep up the fine work...it not unappreciated. the backside of this steering wheel has a removable "cone" that came off with 3 screws. when removed, the diameter of the wheel was the same as the diameter of the column although it had a small space between the wheel and the column. Since I do things inexpensively (on the cheap), I scrounged around and found that the diameter of a quart paint can is the same as the column and wheel. I cut 3/16 inches off the bottom of the can, drilled for the center and the 3 steering wheel mounts (for the old cone) and it fit perfectly. Quote
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