steering Wheel

[stephen44]

Before I buy a new one at LMC etc - I thought I'd see what people have - this is to fit a 1967 F100 (3 on the tree - not that this matters).

Mine has large chunks missing - I will accept ones with a few hairline cracks - but good condition would be ideal - color does not matter as I will be spraying black.

tell me what you have and how much you want shipped to 24540 please.

[bluef250]

How large and many chunks are missing? Wheels can be rehab'd pretty easily.

[stephen44]

3 x 1" chunks missing ......

[robroy]

Good day Stephen,

Before buying a new wheel, which I'm guessing has to be a Dennis Carpenter reproduction (even if it's coming from LMC), there are a couple of points that you might like to know about.

For one, the Dennis Carpenter reproduction wheel looks the same, but is dramatically less heavy and substantial than the factory wheel I had on a 1967 F100. It's as though (I'm guessing) the factory wheel had a steel core that they left out of the reproduction, to make it less of a head-splitter perhaps. Or, perhaps there were several factory designs for this wheel, and the Dennis Carpenter reproduction's the less stout of the two.

So the Dennis Carpenter wheel's a lot lighter, and has some flex to it that's not found in the stout original wheel. It's not something that you'll notice once you get used to it; it's minor, but it's there. It might be a surprise at first.

Also, the Dennis Carpenter wheel has either one or two (I forget) small rectangular openings on the side of the wheel that faces the dash, right where your fingers wrap around when you grip the wheel. These aren't visible when the wheel's installed, but the original '67 wheel did not have these openings, and I find them a little annoying. I wish they'd have closed them up and made the entire area where one's fingers go smooth, like the original wheel. This is one drawback of the repro' wheel that I notice from time to time when I'm driving, and it reminds me that the wheel's not original.

Finally, are you considering also buying the Dennis Carpenter reproduction horn ring? One thing I've noticed about that part is that though the truck has been garaged constantly and driven rarely, after just a couple of years the chrome's all spotty. I think I could polish it up and get it looking good again, but somehow I doubt the original chrome would have gotten shabby looking under these conditions, in such a short period of time. This makes me doubt that the reproduction horn ring's finish is as good as the original ones, but then again, I never owned an original horn ring with a bright finish to compare it to.

I have one or two threads with plenty of photos of these reproduction parts that I'd be happy to link to, if you're interested.

Robroy

[stephen44]

Good day Stephen,
Before buying a new wheel, which I'm guessing has to be a Dennis Carpenter reproduction (even if it's coming from LMC), there are a couple of points that you might like to know about.
For one, the Dennis Carpenter reproduction wheel looks the same, but is dramatically less heavy and substantial than the factory wheel I had on a 1967 F100. It's as though (I'm guessing) the factory wheel had a steel core that they left out of the reproduction, to make it less of a head-splitter perhaps. Or, perhaps there were several factory designs for this wheel, and the Dennis Carpenter reproduction's the less stout of the two.

- I guessed at much - just cheaper from LMC The fact it is lighter is a shame - I love the feel of the original - makes me want to rebuild more now - I bet you are right about the core !

So the Dennis Carpenter wheel's a lot lighter, and has some flex to it that's not found in the stout original wheel. It's not something that you'll notice once you get used to it; it's minor, but it's there. It might be a surprise at first.

Also, the Dennis Carpenter wheel has either one or two (I forget) small rectangular openings on the side of the wheel that faces the dash, right where your fingers wrap around when you grip the wheel. These aren't visible when the wheel's installed, but the original '67 wheel did not have these openings, and I find them a little annoying. I wish they'd have closed them up and made the entire area where one's fingers go smooth, like the original wheel. This is one drawback of the repro' wheel that I notice from time to time when I'm driving, and it reminds me that the wheel's not original.

interesting - my original wheel has a laced covering - and my intention is to re-use this - hopefully that will cover these ?

Finally, are you considering also buying the Dennis Carpenter reproduction horn ring? One thing I've noticed about that part is that though the truck has been garaged constantly and driven rarely, after just a couple of years the chrome's all spotty. I think I could polish it up and get it looking good again, but somehow I doubt the original chrome would have gotten shabby looking under these conditions, in such a short period of time. This makes me doubt that the reproduction horn ring's finish is as good as the original ones, but then again, I never owned an original horn ring with a bright finish to compare it to.

I have one or two threads with plenty of photos of these reproduction parts that I'd be happy to link to, if you're interested.

Robroy

My original does not have the ring - but yes I was thinking of adding this - I would love you to link to your threads - they are always a great read and full of detail - thanks for responding to my post here !

[robroy]

Good day Stephen, you're welcome! And thanks so much for the compliment on the #50 threads.

I believe that a cover would indeed solve the smell rectangular opening oddity. Even without a cover, it probably wouldn't be extremely difficult to fill those openings somehow.

I searched and found only this steering wheel thread, but it does have some photos of the D.C. wheel, mostly on page #2. How do I adapt a 61-70 steering wheel to my 72?

If your original wheel feels very substantial (perhaps it's hard to tell when it's installed), you may indeed find the reproduction a bit flimsy. Over all I don't have any serious regrets about going the reproduction route instead of re-finishing my original '67 wheel. Too bad you're not more nearby, since nothing could beat scoping out the D.C. wheel in person.

Robroy

[stephen44]

yes - shame - i'd love to ride in #50 and meet you.