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Sun May 15, 2011 4:07 am

Hi Guys,

Are there many custom steering wheel options that don't look shit, for buses?

John

Sun May 15, 2011 6:04 am

There are lots of cool options. Any early 30's to 40's Ford wheel will fit. They have the correct keyway and taper and there are lots of them on the internet. I used a black 3 spoke one and the bus horn button even fits right in. Oh, and of course the keyed barndoor wheel or the splined one if you machine it out and make a hub for it.

Sun May 15, 2011 6:23 am

Whenever I see the petri banjo wheel on a bus, I think it looks cute - like BAD CUTE. Unless you want to paint your bus pink or yellow, don't do it.

The black stock wheels look great !

Sun May 15, 2011 11:42 am

The only non-stock wheel I have seen that looks good is a flat dished Empi GT wheel from a Datsun. Does need a custom machined boss to fit though

Sun May 15, 2011 12:55 pm

im in the process of restoring a 1937 Diamond T dump truck banjo steering wheel. 17'... it is keyd type & only needs to be drilled a couple thousands of an inch for a direct fit. ive seen some pretty wheels on ebay under vintage trucks, such as peterbuilt, mack, white,. i like the early big wheels like on mercedes,cobras etc. but thousands of dollars for a wheel doesnt cut it for me.(nardi torino)

Sun May 15, 2011 2:16 pm

You guys are letting the secret out... :? ...Have been perusing awhile but not picked one up yet...better get it now before it catches on.

Sun May 15, 2011 4:25 pm

Just make something you like-

Sun May 15, 2011 8:37 pm

Just cover your stock wheel with TheSamba stickers :lol:

Sun May 15, 2011 11:43 pm

I installed a 37 Ford Banjo in my DC. As mentioned it is keyed and about the same size as a bus wheel. You can even attach the cancel ring with a little effort. Only problem is that it will be 180 out. Since I raised my steering box I turned the inner shaft 180. Still need to figure a way to hook up the horn.

Horn button is a repop billet piece with an OG bus button.

Mon May 16, 2011 8:43 am

Wow, that one looks nice! :shock: 8)

Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:30 pm

Hey guys,

Here is another option that I just finished. I found some instructions for bicycle handlebar wrap with cloth tape in a diamond pattern. Here is what I was going for, but on my old cracked, decaying, crusty steering wheel.

Here's how my wheel turned out after around 10 coats of shellac. I put it on tonight, and am stoked with how well it came out. Look forward to driving with it.

Fri Nov 13, 2020 12:42 pm

cru62 wrote: Just make something you like-

what wheel is that? Looks nice.

Fri Nov 13, 2020 3:40 pm

I don't know I looked a several options for my DC and just ended up with old faithful FLAT 4! Double dipped from my build thread. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Fri Nov 13, 2020 4:22 pm

darn it, wish they made that style still.

I prefer the flat, 9-6-3 position of the spokes.

Let me know whenever you want to get rid of it. LOL!