Has anybody had a factory wheel resized down for your custom. I have a 55 Tbird and the wheel is I think a 19 inch factory monster. I can barely squeeze my legs under the thing and I am a thin dude. HAve had similiar issus in the past with some customs and the roof being brought down and the wheel looking out of place. Would like to have it cut down to say a 16/15. That would mean it would have to be re-hooped. There are replicas out there but not really my cup of tee. Been looking for one anyway so that I can measure it out and maybe use the hoop. Any idea on cost to have it done.
I have not found anyone to both resize a wheel and recast it. I rolled my own new rim on a '39 Stude banjo about an 1-1/2" to 2" smaller diameter than original. I plan to have my wheel/rim recast by a company near Seattle, WA, but do not have a quote. They were OK with casting to a smaller wheel, if I made it. The wheel restoration guy in Poway/San Diego does not seem to be willing to work with any modified wheels. I will guess a range of $500 to $2,500 for recasting, depending on complexity of doing what you want. If you can roll 3/8" wire, it is not too hard to make a rim, but buy a lot of extra wire unless you have a pretty high end roller. It took me about eight tries to get what I wanted. I have a few extra rings, LOL.
Good Gawd !! 14 hundred bucks ? I'm not a fabricator, or mold specialist.......but I am a "cheap bastard" ! Could you find a 15 or 16 inch wheel that would satisfy your finger mold choice....and just cut it up ? I'm thinking....just a day of grinding down your cut areas to metal, and a trip to a compliant welder would be a choice selection. Then it's Mr. JB Weld and some childhood finger painting dreams coming back. There are a bunch of threads regarding the vinyl repairs for this part. You could pull that part off I know.
It's abit of work, but you can do it. Here is a good link with the how to. http://www.customclassictrucks.com/techarticles/1208cct_reclaiming_stock_steering_wheel/
Just FYI - Pretty much all of the 55-57 T Bird venders carry a direct replacement 15" steering wheel. Comes only in black so you have to paint it to match interior if desired. $350.00 plus shipping. Oldmics
I got a Chrysler Windsor wheel that's flat on the bottom that I probably won't use, it needs a little repair but minimal, that would cure your leg room problem. Have you thought about flattening the bottom instead of making it smaller or heaven forbid a tilt?
Took a big-ass `39 Ford banjo wheel, and cut the hoop off. Then I sourced an old Superior 15" wheel and cut the spokes/center off. Made a jig, welded the banjo spokes to the Superior hoop and got an upholsterer buddy to wrap it in leather. Looks great -- although the smaller diameter means I've lost a little leverage resulting in a somewhat stiffer steering "feel." But it didn't cost $1400!
Its a 57 wheel not a 55 replacement so not what I am really looking to do. So I have cast a wide net I am going to try and find another 55 wheel and I have a 16 inch hoop that I got at the swap meet that looks close enough to the thunderbird hoop and I will find a way to get them to work. I actually have been driving the car a good bit more and I actually think they might have overstuffed my seat when the PO had it reupholstered and that is what is shoving me up and towards the wheel. Also one of the guys on the TBird form made a rigid mount for the seat that moves then back two inches and down two inches which might be the cheapest answer of all as I can knock out the mounts in a afternoon.
Oops! Forgot what a visual medium this is. Here's the only progress photo I have -- before using a piece of plywood to improvise a jig -- and what it looked like after installation but before being wrapped. Don't know how well this approach would work on later model wheels such as yours, but it's a thought ... And there's a"secret" tip in the latter photo. If you're having trouble finding a horn button for your banjo wheel, a `30-`31 Ford hubcap (orig not the repop) snaps in perfectly as an interim measure.
Yeah,you are correct about the shaft differences between a 55 and a 57 - forgot about that situation. Thanks for keeping me straight ! Oldmics
The cabin size, and wheel diameter are indeed tight in those cars. Does yours have the hardtop too? Someone will yell at me I know....but I test drove a stocker with the round port top once.....dunno' the year now. That drive made me not even look at 'em anymore....until Doane Spencer's iteration. I remember what you speak of. Knees, and elbows never cooperated with ass and shoulders for sure.
I know the wheel will move in and out by loosening the collar around the steering column but don't remember if it will tilt also. You might check. Charlie Stephens
No Tilt on the 55's unfortunately. Flaming river and a few guys make tilt columns for the TBird but they do not look particularly good to my eye.
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