So Does Everyone HATE This Steering Wheel?

[Scott91370]

I'm not a fan of it for the same reasons Octane mentioned - huge diameter and skinny grip area. I just can't find one i like. Well, I can but the 2000 Vette wheel won't fit without modification.

 

[Grit dog]

Given the, umm, compact accommodations in the cab compared to newer trucks, a smaller diameter wheel is preferable for some I'm sure, especially bigger folks and trucks without a tilt wheel.
I'd hazard many of them have been replaced due to age/condition like Rusty said.
But I'd take an OE period correct GMC wheel. Anyone has one in good condition that wants to trade for a good condition GMT 400 wheel, I'm down.

 

[rpcraft]

The factory wheel is OK for its time but as they age they produce some kind of sticky goop that is just horrible to deal with and if you try to scrape and clean it turns the wheel unusable. When it gets like that you would almost be better taking it off and rolling it around in dirt or something to coat the wheel and make it dry again.

One other factor is that apparently lots of folks are more obese than when the trucks came out, and they are often trying to style with bucket seats too, so you got a situation where your just trying to put 10 pounds of stuff into a 5 pound sack.

The 15 inch Grant wheels are a favorite for making a little more "Lap space" as well as updating the look, plus technically they are still period correct since I recall I wanted one from Autozone back in the 80's for my 77 Jimmy, lol. I was so broke back then I couldn't afford one of course but I will be still putting one on my 85 Jimmy wants it comes time to go to the alignment shop. ;o)

 

[Charlie]

Mine was sticky also. I used 99% alcohol and worked well.

 

[82sbshortbed]

Dang! Your truck looks good too but what diameter is your wheel? It's a 14 or 15?

I'll have to check when I get home.

 

[82sbshortbed]

When it gets like that you would almost be better taking it off and rolling it around in dirt or something to coat the wheel and make it dry again.

 

[Powerhouse Ranch]

I still have the factory GMC steering wheel in my 80, my dad still has the factory in his 87, my Jimmy has the factory but i'll be switching it over to a GT Grant steering wheel like my brother's 77

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[Keith Seymore]

Hey, what transmission do you have in your pickup?

That is the RPO MY6/MM7 New Process "A833" manual trans.

3rd gear is 1:1; 4th gear is 0.73:1 overdrive.

Came with a factory Hurst shifter. When I saw it I knew I had to have it.

K

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[HOTFOOT]

I don’t hate it, but it would look better with a GMC logo!!!

 

[mcarlo86]

That is the RPO MY6/MM7 New Process "A833" manual trans.

3rd gear is 1:1; 4th gear is 0.73:1 overdrive.

Came with a factory Hurst shifter. When I saw it I knew I had to have it.

K

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I thought that shifter looked like a Hurst! I was curious if it was an NP833. Man I would love to find one of those. Nice option!

 

[78C10BigTen]

I only swapped due to the fact that it is so super skinny. I dont like tiny rim wheels

 

[SirRobyn0]

I am new to Square Bodies, so I have of course been browsing the Googly internet machine and this site's "Random Media" section looking at all the pictures of everyone's Squares.

One thing I have been seeing a lot of is people ditching the factory steering wheel like pic related:



Seems like the hip thing to do is replace them with the smaller steering wheels like the ones that came in the late 80's/early 90's Suburbans. When I bought my K5 it had one of these steering wheels from a later model Suburban in it. I rented a steering wheel puller from Auto Zone and put the original steering wheel like pic related back on. I just didn't think the Suburban steering wheel matched the rest of the interior so I went back to the original.

So, do people just not like these steering wheels? Why are they hated so?

My square has the stock steering wheel, though I did do one of those leather wraps on it. I honestly hate aftermarket steering wheels in general and think they ruin an otherwise perfectly good interior.

The only functional reason I can see for swapping to a smaller steering wheel is for a little more belly room. In a truck like mine, without tilt, my belly is only a few inches from the wheel with the seat all the way back. If I had short legs and had to put the seat up some I'd have a problem. But I like the factory steering wheel, it looks like it was meant to be there!

 

[Paladin]

I ditched the factory wheel because with it, it was impossible to just glance down and see the aftermarket gauges I had mounted on the lower dash. I would have to lean way over to see around the wheel. Changed to the wheel out of a 94 burb (a direct swap) and problem solved. I like this one much better!!!

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[82sbshortbed]

Dang! Your truck looks good too but what diameter is your wheel? It's a 14 or 15?

Looks to be 15

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[Catbox]

I am a larger feller.
While not touching, my gut was pretty close to the wheel and the column does not tilt yet.
Getting in and out can be a pickle even with the seat all the way back.
We have a perfectly good stock steering wheel, but it has been replaced with a Grant GT that I pulled from the swap meet for a massive $5 a few years ago.

Now I have more room to get in and out of the truck with the smaller wherl in there.