Just finished installing my new steering wheel. Dad doesn't really like it (he prefers the 4-spoke version), but it's not his car so . The installation really wasn't too bad and the horn works just fine (I did manage to get the wheel a little crooked, but I'll fix it later). I do have a minor problem with the turn signal lever, though. I now have about 1/2" clearance between the lever & the wheel so when I make turns, I keep hitting the lever with my knuckles. I figure I can just cut the lever shorter and re-thread the end, though. My next project is going to be installing 3-point seat belts. I'll probably try to do a pretty good write up with lots of pics on that one since there isn't a whole lot of info available. I will be following this method: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Strip/1121/seatbelt.html -Chelle
Looks great! Does the horn still work though? I replaced my turn signal lever with a shorter tilt steering lever from another Ford. It had the exact same ends on it.
Yup, horn works just fine. Cool, I'll have to look for one. Between the 2 cars, I do have 2 levers, though. So if I can't find anything else I can still cut & rethread one and I'll still have a good one if I mess it up. -Chelle
I had the same problem when I put in a GRANT GT in two of my Mustangs. Same solution, a shorter stalk. Looks Good 'Chelle!
For your turn signal issue, would it work to put a small bend in it to give you a little more clearance? Just another low cost thought.
Dad thought of that, but then I wouldn't be able to get it back on w/o taking the steering wheel off. -Chelle
Now that I remember, I made a custom stalk for the DCVR from 1/4" Aluminum flat with a "S" shape. Worked good, looked cool! Threads into the switch were funky though, some odd SAE thread, 12-20 or something not used much.
Nice work Chelle! It's always a good feeling to finish a project, even a "minor" one like swapping steering wheels! Just be sure the nut behind the wheel is tight!
Which you have to do anyway because the wheel is crooked, right? The shorter one seems like the best solution though, IMHO
Yeah, I got thinking about it today and if I can't find a die that has the right threads, I might go ahead and just bend one & pull the wheel again. I was looking around for one from a tilt column and it doesn't look like they're available repro yet and the only one I found on eBay was $35 and I don't really want to pay that much for a metal stick. -Chelle
Chelle, try NAPA for the die. Just because Dan says 12-20 is an "oddball" doesn't mean they aren't available, if that doesn't pan out, let me know I may have a spare (from my Grumman days) clunking around the basement.
Dad thinks it's just a standard pipe thread so maybe it won't be too hard to find after all. We have 2 tap & die sets around here somewhere so we may already have one. -Chelle
In case anyone is interested, I fixed the turn signal lever clearance issue. I just threaded it further down and cut off about 2". For future reference, it's a 1/4"-28 die. I have about 1/2" of space between my fingers & the lever now. Dad said I should have cut another inch off because he still has clearance issues, but it's my car so it's fine the way it is. -Chelle
To bad you got it done, I was thinking that a piece of stainless steel rod would look cool polished, then thread the end you grab the same as a tire valve stem. Then you could put something like this or this.. on the end.. kind of a cool little touch I would think..
That is a cool idea. I might still do that. Although I'd hate to buy 4 spiffy new valve stems and have 3 leftover. Maybe I could find an individual one at a swap meet or something. -Chelle
Why have leftovers; use them around the house. Buy a couple of sets and use the extras for knobs on the stove, alarm clock knobs, stereo knobs, or just glue them to your keyboard.
