|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
02-22-2023, 08:02 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: PA
Posts: 106
|
advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
Well, the rebirth of our Dad's 32 low boy roadster continues. It is now even registered, plates and all. Let's just say that walking into the DMV with a 1955 transferable registration for a 32 Roadster leads to some interesting conversations.
That aside, the engine still needs some tuning, but is running much better. Thanks to the guys who provided input on that thread. We now come to some of the niceties, in this case a steering wheel. The current wheel is not original. And at 17" is not real conducive to comfort in channeled roadster. My father is 5' 8" and weighed 140 back in the day. I'm 6' (got that from my mother's side) and 190 and find the wheel just tolerable. I'd like to find something that is 50's rod period correct in the 15" range. Any thoughts |
02-22-2023, 08:12 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 1,575
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
There is a '40 style steering wheel that is a reproduction, and is 15" diam. not sure who is selling them
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
02-22-2023, 08:16 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 6,181
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
It all depends on your budget, but the sky is the limit. As Jim mentioned, banjo and '40 style wheels are available in the aftermarket in 15" diameter.
The hot ticket for a '50's rod is a Crestliner wheel. A good core is $800-$1,000. Then send it to a vendor like Steering Wheel Kris to get it refurbed and resized to 15", add another $1,000-$1,500, but it would be the bee's knees in terms of a '50's hot rod steering wheel. |
02-22-2023, 09:17 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: PA
Posts: 106
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
For sure, budget is the issue. Had we thought about a different wheel on round one of this project, aka the 1970's, there was no end of the cool wheels we could have found in the junkyards for a couple bucks. Anyway, now we're talking what can we do for a couple hundred.
|
02-22-2023, 09:19 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: on the Littlefield
Posts: 6,159
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
Model T wheel?
Diameter range of 14-1/2 to 17” |
02-22-2023, 09:33 PM | #6 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 6,181
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Quote:
|
|
02-22-2023, 11:14 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: elmira,ny
Posts: 1,518
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
the smaller the wheel the harder it is to turn
|
02-23-2023, 02:07 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 1,112
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
Look at a VW banjo steering wheel on Ebay. Change the centre to your ford taste and modify the bands on the spoke to look ford , 15” and they fit a ford key way shaft .
|
02-23-2023, 02:29 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 281
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
A 1940 Ford wheel would look great.
|
02-23-2023, 06:26 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Grays Harbor County, Wa
Posts: 223
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
Steering wheels are such an important part of the cars interior vibe...very important for it to be in theme with the entire era/build.
Let's see some pics of the car, along with its interior.
__________________
"Get your facts first..then you can distort them as you please" |
02-23-2023, 09:45 AM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Salem, Wi.
Posts: 281
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
Had an original 40 in my 30 roadster and found it was a tad large so went with an aftermarket 15" dia. Looks great and not a problem steering at all.
|
02-23-2023, 09:51 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SoCal-Redlands
Posts: 3,024
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
Lime works might have something that would work
https://www.limeworksspeedshop.com/S...Kits-s/478.htm
__________________
Making the simple complicated for over 30 years. |
02-23-2023, 10:18 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 6,181
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
I forgot Limeworks makes a Crestliner wheel. If it was me, I'd fine a way to get one of those. Those are the tops for a '50's style hot rod in my opinion.
|
02-23-2023, 11:59 AM | #14 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: PA
Posts: 106
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
Quote:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321859 |
|
02-23-2023, 12:01 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: PA
Posts: 106
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
It is a gorgeous wheel, but the cost is not in the budget. If I could pick up a ratty one for a few hundred it could work as the car is about half rat rod.
|
02-23-2023, 12:10 PM | #16 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 6,181
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
Quote:
Does the car still have a tapered steering shaft? Depending on the wheel you pick, If memory serves me correctly, you may need to cut another groove in the shaft or wheel for the woodruff key location changed through the years. |
|
02-24-2023, 12:12 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Napa,California
Posts: 6,037
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
I would suggest using the VW banjo steering wheel. You can find them for less than $300 on e-Bay and it uses any Grant style adapter to fit other columns. If you are using an early column you can get the keyway adapter from Speedway. The wheel looks just like a '36 banjo wheel and is 15" in diameter. I bought one and the quality is excellent.
|
02-24-2023, 12:18 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 6,181
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
A great book to use as reference for a '50's style build is Andy Southard, Jr's Hot Rods of the '50's
Last edited by Tim Ayers; 02-24-2023 at 12:29 PM. |
02-24-2023, 03:27 PM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Napa,California
Posts: 6,037
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
Just checked e-Bay and the cheapest VW Banjo is now $312 with free shipping. Bought mine about 6 mo. ago and paid $268 with free shipping. Bidenflation.
|
02-24-2023, 04:17 PM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 281
|
Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|