TheSamba.com :: View topic - Installing a Datsun GT steering wheel on split screen

Sun Apr 15, 2012 11:47 am

I have a Datsun wheel I want to install on my 67 split screen.I know that the hubs are different and that Datsun Hub needs to be modified in order to fit-----most of the people who install the GT wheel hand work the hub to fit----I don't want to hand work the hub---I would like to have the hub machined not hand worked----- I know that the hand worked modification works well and gets the job done but i would prefer having it machined-----Is there someone on the site or know of anyone that can provide this service --thanks in advance---Bill

Sun Apr 15, 2012 12:44 pm

Im not sure anyone does this professionally. I could be wrong though. Youd probably have to find some machine shop or outfit thats willing to do it. That would mean they would need the shaft it will fit on to match/machine it up. Pictures of this wheel ?

Sun Apr 15, 2012 4:45 pm

Not sure what mine is from but it can be done. I just cut off all the old crap off a junk cracked steering wheel so all I had was the hub part and then gave it to the machinist to duplicate it but make provisions for the different wheel,woodruff key and all. Tuned out great.

Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:00 pm

How much harder is it to turn now that the wheel is considerably smaller in diameter than a stock wheel?

Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:13 pm

Well, there doesn't seem to be a solid answer to your shout-out for a machinist. You might as well just realize it's not going to happen the way you want it and sell me the wheel. That way it's out of your hair and clear accross the country so you won't have to think about it! :lol: 8)

Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:17 pm

:lol:

Mon Apr 16, 2012 4:15 pm

Ever considered selling it to a Datsun guy?, some of them have more money than brains and as long as there's 2 of them looking at the Ebay auction you'll do well.

As for machining the taper into it and adding a keyway it should be a no brainer for a 1/2 decent machine shop, you may even be able to buy a reamer to cut the taper if it's a common one and a keyway broach from somewhere like www.travers.com

Sat Apr 21, 2012 3:47 pm

quartermilecamel wrote: How much harder is it to turn now that the wheel is considerably smaller in diameter than a stock wheel? It's a little harder but now I'm used to it. I can measure the wheel diameter if you're interested?

Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:23 pm

It looks to be about 3/4 of a stock wheel. Just reminds me of a high school buddy that had a 58 chevy with manual steering, wide tires, and a wheel with a diameter of a foot and a half. Talk about a royal bitch to turn in parking lots.

Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:18 pm

what's wrong with the stock wheel?

Sun Apr 22, 2012 12:14 am

RPGreg2600 wrote: what's wrong with the stock wheel?
Nothing

Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:10 am

quartermilecamel wrote: How much harder is it to turn now that the wheel is considerably smaller in diameter than a stock wheel?

I didn't notice much of a difference at all in how hard the bus was to turn. There is only an inch difference in diameter, if I remember correctly, between the Datsun wheel and the stock bus wheel.

Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:34 am

A 1967 stock wheel is 17.5 inches across the center
The Datsun Wheel is 15.5 inches across the center

Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:35 am

Empicollector wrote: A 1967 stock wheel is 17.5 inches across the center
The Datsun Wheel is 15.5 inches across the center

That sounds right now that I think about it. How hard it was to steer wasn't terribly affected, but I could tell the wheel was a little smaller just because where I put my hands while driving was in a different spot than I was used to.

Mon Apr 23, 2012 3:51 pm

RPGreg2600 wrote: what's wrong with the stock wheel?

Fat guys have trouble sitting behind the wheel ....... my shirts all have a rub mark from the wheel.

Mayhaps I should lose some weight. The pro's are outweighing the con's. (Pun intended) Hahaha

2' less wheel may help clear my gut.

Mon Apr 23, 2012 4:34 pm

RINC wrote:

2' less wheel may help clear my gut.

Whoa, that can't be right :roll:

Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:51 pm

RINC wrote: RPGreg2600 wrote: what's wrong with the stock wheel?

Fat guys have trouble sitting behind the wheel ....... my shirts all have a rub mark from the wheel.

Mayhaps I should lose some weight. The pro's are outweighing the con's. (Pun intended) Hahaha

2' less wheel may help clear my gut.

Or get a pre-58 Bus, they have more room because of the flat back rest.

Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:30 am

RINC wrote: RPGreg2600 wrote: what's wrong with the stock wheel?

Fat guys have trouble sitting behind the wheel ....... my shirts all have a rub mark from the wheel.

Mayhaps I should lose some weight. The pro's are outweighing the con's. (Pun intended) Hahaha

2' less wheel may help clear my gut.

It's just too forkin big! And I don't have the "weight issues"! :lol:

I have a Grant wheel of something like 14" or so which can be quite the workout while parallel parking but, well, it's a workout! :P

On my very first bus I had a 10" wheel! Now THAT was a workout! :shock:

Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:44 am

So will we ever see a pic of the steering wheel?

Sun Jul 22, 2012 8:50 am

61TXghia wrote: So will we ever see a pic of the steering wheel? . I would post a picture if I thought you could answer my question but I don't think you can---so how will a picture assist you?