The Ford Barn

drolston · 02-11-2018, 08:58 PM

Can a '39 banjo steering wheel be made to fit on a '41 steering column? Same shaft diameter and taper? Same Woodruff key? Will the back of the steering wheel clear the column bell top when tightened down? Or will there be a big gap?

TJ · 02-12-2018, 09:35 AM

There will be a big gap at the bell of the column.

Ken Arms · 02-14-2018, 10:41 AM

I put a banjo on my 34, I'm not certain of the year wheel but the center hub is aluminum, it rubbed the column bell so I had it milled a bit and now it fits perfect. I also had a buddy make a spacer on a 3d printer so the 34 horn rod could be used. It all came out nice. The wheel was sold to me as a 38 but I think its a 37 Ken

Automotive Stud · 02-14-2018, 12:32 PM

The banjo wheel is tapered to fit a narrow steering column, the '41 column has a large bell for the column shift. I assume if you did away with the column shift you could probably modify the column tube to accept the banjo wheel if you were that dead set on it.

drolston · 02-14-2018, 02:30 PM

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Staying with column shift, so no easy way to adapt an earlier banjo steering wheel. Tried banjo steering wheel and adapters from GT Performance, through CARiD, advertised to fit a '41 Ford. The tapered adaptor did not go far enough down on the shaft; only two threads for the nut. Then the three bolt to 6 bolt adapter made the wheel stick out another two inches. Completely awful.

With holidays and weather, I did not discover the problem for two months after receipt of the equipment. The 30 day return limit is not mentioned on the CARiD order pages; you have to click Returns to find the policy. Not something I ordinarily do when ordering. So best they would offer is store credit. So be forewarned if ordering through CARiD.

That stock wheel is starting to look better. Any suggestions on how to repair the broken center spoke on the horn ring?

02-11-2018, 08:58 PM	#1
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Steering Wheel Interchangeability Can a '39 banjo steering wheel be made to fit on a '41 steering column? Same shaft diameter and taper? Same Woodruff key? Will the back of the steering wheel clear the column bell top when tightened down? Or will there be a big gap?

02-12-2018, 09:35 AM	#2
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: Steering Wheel Interchangeability There will be a big gap at the bell of the column.

02-14-2018, 12:32 PM	#4
Automotive Stud Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 832	Re: Steering Wheel Interchangeability The banjo wheel is tapered to fit a narrow steering column, the '41 column has a large bell for the column shift. I assume if you did away with the column shift you could probably modify the column tube to accept the banjo wheel if you were that dead set on it.

02-14-2018, 02:30 PM	#5
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: Steering Wheel Interchangeability Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Staying with column shift, so no easy way to adapt an earlier banjo steering wheel. Tried banjo steering wheel and adapters from GT Performance, through CARiD, advertised to fit a '41 Ford. The tapered adaptor did not go far enough down on the shaft; only two threads for the nut. Then the three bolt to 6 bolt adapter made the wheel stick out another two inches. Completely awful. With holidays and weather, I did not discover the problem for two months after receipt of the equipment. The 30 day return limit is not mentioned on the CARiD order pages; you have to click Returns to find the policy. Not something I ordinarily do when ordering. So best they would offer is store credit. So be forewarned if ordering through CARiD. That stock wheel is starting to look better. Any suggestions on how to repair the broken center spoke on the horn ring?