The Ford Barn

dad's deuce roadster · 02-22-2023, 08:02 PM

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

Alaska Jim · 02-22-2023, 08:12 PM

There is a '40 style steering wheel that is a reproduction, and is 15" diam. not sure who is selling them

Tim Ayers · 02-22-2023, 08:16 PM

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.

dad's deuce roadster · 02-22-2023, 09:17 PM

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.

Tim Ayers · 02-22-2023, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad's deuce roadster

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.

Someone makes a 15" Bell four spoke that is pretty much timeless.

Kurt in NJ · 02-22-2023, 09:19 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Model T wheel?
Diameter range of 14-1/2 to 17”

fordor41 · 02-22-2023, 11:14 PM

the smaller the wheel the harder it is to turn

my4dv8 · 02-23-2023, 02:07 AM

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 .

47topless · 02-23-2023, 02:29 AM

A 1940 Ford wheel would look great.

FHFD · 02-23-2023, 06:26 AM

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.

dad's deuce roadster · 02-23-2023, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FHFD

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.

Here's another thread with a pic. There is effectively no interior yet. Just a couple 65 or so Mustang buckets. Some guy never paid for the work done on it at my grandfather's garage, so we appropriated the seats temporarily, that was about 1974. Now wish I had appropriated the whole Mustang.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321859

rhphotord · 02-23-2023, 09:45 AM

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.

51504bat · 02-23-2023, 09:51 AM

Lime works might have something that would work
https://www.limeworksspeedshop.com/S...Kits-s/478.htm

Tim Ayers · 02-23-2023, 10:18 AM

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.

dad's deuce roadster · 02-23-2023, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

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.

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.

Tim Ayers · 02-23-2023, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad's deuce roadster

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.

I hear ya. '40 wheel would be my second choice for your car. A '48 wheel would also be an excellent choice and can be found for around $200-$300 in usable condition.

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.

theriddler56 · 02-24-2023, 07:36 PM

What do you mean by a Crestliner steering wheel?

Tim Ayers · 02-25-2023, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theriddler56

What do you mean by a Crestliner steering wheel?

Click this link for Limework's repop of the Crestliner wheel.

https://www.limeworksspeedshop.com/C.../st3031wte.htm

GB SISSON · 02-25-2023, 09:45 AM

Thanks guys! The crestliner or a banjo would look good in the woodie, but yes out of most of our $ range. I should get onto my own build thread to talk about adapting to a more correct wheel. The '40 ford wheel looks close to my jailbar pickup's wheel.

TJ · 02-24-2023, 12:12 PM

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.

02-22-2023, 08:02 PM	#1
dad's deuce roadster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: PA Posts: 107	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
Alaska Jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 1,587	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

02-22-2023, 08:16 PM	#3
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,917	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
dad's deuce roadster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: PA Posts: 107	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	#6
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,554	Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Model T wheel? Diameter range of 14-1/2 to 17”

02-22-2023, 11:14 PM	#7
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,568	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
my4dv8 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,131	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
47topless Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 463	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
FHFD Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Grays Harbor County, Wa Posts: 226	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	#12
rhphotord 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	#13
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,413	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	#14
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,917	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.

02-24-2023, 07:36 PM	#17
theriddler56 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Haines City, FL Posts: 111	Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod What do you mean by a Crestliner steering wheel?

02-25-2023, 09:45 AM	#19
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 5,881	Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod Thanks guys! The crestliner or a banjo would look good in the woodie, but yes out of most of our $ range. I should get onto my own build thread to talk about adapting to a more correct wheel. The '40 ford wheel looks close to my jailbar pickup's wheel. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

02-24-2023, 12:12 PM	#20
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,562	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.