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Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:27 pm

I own a 1971 Bus and would like to change the steering wheel to a smaller size, a friend who own the same year told me I can't because it isn't as safe and you need the "big" wheel for turning etc.
Any thoughts on this
Thanks

Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:31 pm

you need smarter friends

Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:52 pm

You have smart friends, although the word "can't" is not appropriate. It can be done, but turning will be more difficult (applied force). The advantage you will lose is the VW Bus upper body steering wheel lean, almost impossible to do with a small wheel.

Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:33 pm

66-Ghia wrote: I own a 1971 Bus and would like to change the steering wheel to a smaller size, a friend who own the same year told me I can't because it isn't as safe and you need the "big" wheel for turning etc.
Any thoughts on this
Thanks

What busman 78 said.

A few years ago, Bus Boys offered a very classy leather-covered steering wheel in an overall diameter just slightly smaller than the OG bus wheel. Probably was a Formuling(R.I.P.) brand. Anything similar out there today, for something less than the week's pay a custom Momo or Nardi would go for?

J.R.
68 Westy
(+ others)

Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:42 am

66-Ghia wrote: I own a 1971 Bus and would like to change the steering wheel to a smaller size, a friend who own the same year told me I can't because it isn't as safe and you need the "big" wheel for turning etc.
Any thoughts on this
Thanks

See the following thread for various products and ideas:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=283567

Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:02 am

Sure like this one, if I can get a Grant adapter to work (there supposedly IS a way). A little over 17":

http://www.warehouseautoparts.com/Specials/Grant/Grant_17622_Mahogany_Ford_Truck_Steering_Wheel.htm

Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:53 am

ScottK wrote: Sure like this one, if I can get a Grant adapter to work (there supposedly IS a way). A little over 17":

http://www.warehouseautoparts.com/Specials/Grant/Grant_17622_Mahogany_Ford_Truck_Steering_Wheel.htm

the grant adapter for a 68-74 bus is #10400

Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:34 pm

tubdub wrote:
the grant adapter for a 68-74 bus is #10400

:?:

Can't find any info on that #. Do you happen to have a link or know of a source? Thanks.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:39 pm

ScottK wrote: tubdub wrote:
the grant adapter for a 68-74 bus is #10400

:?:

Can't find any info on that #. Do you happen to have a link or know of a source? Thanks.

As far as I know, NLA.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:56 pm

I like it.

It makes me feel like my middle school bus driver.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 4:19 am

I installed a LeCarra Wheel on my 72 Bay. The wheel was 2 inches smaller in diameter. I liked the looks of the wheel BUT the turn signal lever became a PIA and you could not read the speedometer from the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. positions. The Bus still steered the same but I could have done with out the other 2 problems.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:05 pm

I had a smaller VW wheel on my bus. The splines are the same but you have to grind the taper on the wheel to match the taper on the column. This shortens the splines so be careful. I had it on there for about a year but I missed the novelty of having a huge steering wheel and switched it back.