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Thingster Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2006 Posts: 150 Location: Webster Groves, MO
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Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:22 pm Post subject: '67 steering wheel onto '74 thing? |
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One thing that I CANNOT get over on my Thing is the hideous plastic 4 spoke looking steering wheel. I have 3 or 4 older 2 spoke wheels off of 66/67 beetles. I was wondering if the wheel for a 67 bug and a Thing had the same taper and spline count, allowing hem to be swapped over.
If anyone knows it'd be awesome.
Justin _________________ "I like to take my Thing out and play with it."
1974 Thing (Play Toy)
1957 Sedan(Show Car)
1954 Sedan (On the back burner) |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76760 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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Won't fit. The older wheels are for a larger shaft.
And what's wrong with the stock wheel?
_________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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kubelmann Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2003 Posts: 3266
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Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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Glenn, Is that the one you restored the drilled out the spline adn bolted the correct spline into? I might have my stories confused. I have an original Dynosaur on one of my Things... Check it out on the Samba. So many cool retro parts so few cars/time... |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76760 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:48 pm Post subject: |
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Yes... the 72-73 wheels are for the large shaft that uses a 27mm nut. The 74 and later are for the smaller shaft that uses 24mm nut. I was able to drill out the rivets and swap hubs.
But if you want to put on a early 71 and older wheel you can't since they are not 2 piece liek the late model wheels. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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emersonbiggins Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2003 Posts: 1681 Location: Nebraska
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Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:17 pm Post subject: |
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Other wheels are available if you can find them.
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kubelmann Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2003 Posts: 3266
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Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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The early VW steering wheels have the hub molded into the wheel. It will not fit. But the 74 Thing spline is common to tons of later VW wheels. I have seen tons of later VW wheels on things. My 73s Things each have a beautiful Momo and classic Dyno wheels. But they are both attached to the steering column using an adapter. I have a box filled with cracked 73 Thing steering wheels and the associated parts. The tough part is to find a 73 wheel with no cracks... Glenn's with the hand stiched cover is a piece of art.
Here is some data on the 73/74 steering wheel differences and parts cross reference
VW 181s, unfortunately, used two different steering columns and steering wheels. The "early type" seen mostly on 73's can be identified by the metal trim around the key switch area, the "late" version, found mostly 74's, has a plastic trim assembly in the same area. Not only is the trim different, but the steering wheel spline is different so most 73 steering wheels won't fit 74 steering columns and vice versa.
The good news is that the "late" style (74's) is identical in spline and other fitments to most later VWs. Of Rabbit sports wheels all the splines, compression tubes and even the horn and turn signals align between the VW 181 and the newer wheel. Also other VWs and Audi's steering wheels should fit right in place of the stock wheel.
Momo Steering Wheel Adapter for a 73 Thing~~~
21 mm 40 tooth spline
hub #0248 |
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Thingster Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2006 Posts: 150 Location: Webster Groves, MO
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Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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I've just always thought the plastic 4 spoke was abolutely horendous, especially in a Thing. It would look 10x better with an old black 2 spoke and a plain black horn button.
So the 74 shaft is smaller than the earlier shaft . . . hmmm
Somehow I see the hub getting milled out of the 67 wheel and the hub out of a totally fubard 76 wheel I have getting turned down to fit. . .
Either that or try using the 74 hub as an adapter plate and open up the inside of the 2 spoke to take it.
Guess i'll just have to wait until the next time i go home to figure out how i want to do it.
Justin _________________ "I like to take my Thing out and play with it."
1974 Thing (Play Toy)
1957 Sedan(Show Car)
1954 Sedan (On the back burner) |
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OG67westy Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2008 Posts: 286 Location: San Marcos Texas 78666
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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I'm trying to do this same thing...would the path of least resistance be to switch out the entire column down to the steering box? wouldn't that be interchangeable with an early bug. I too think that the big plastic cover on the steeringwheel kills the otherwise spartan, classic interior of the thing... |
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tyiii Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2007 Posts: 49 Location: Norfolk, VA
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Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 7:58 am Post subject: |
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I just traded my steering shaft from a 73 to my 74 ,and was able to mount my VWOA sport wheel . Entire job took about 2 hours. |
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cecil Samba Member
Joined: February 23, 2005 Posts: 461 Location: Stockton, CA
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Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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OG67 is correct. I replaced my column, shaft, etc. with a '65 Beetle with very little effort. Did require a little re-wiring of horn, turn signal and ignition switch. Also made the steering wheel, won't do that again. _________________ I may not be that funny or athletic or good looking or smart or talented....I forgot where I was going with this
I have this wierd desease called "must tear everything up and put it back together when there's nothing wrong with it...Itus." |
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OG67westy Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2008 Posts: 286 Location: San Marcos Texas 78666
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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"made the steering wheel"? seriously? then why switch the columns? So, your saying that this will in fact work, to put a classic bug wheel in a thing? |
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cecil Samba Member
Joined: February 23, 2005 Posts: 461 Location: Stockton, CA
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 4:29 pm Post subject: |
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I wanted to put the ignition switch in the dash and remove the steering column lock for towing. Go to my profile and check out picture of steering wheel. I got an upholstery shop to lace it up for a case of beer. _________________ I may not be that funny or athletic or good looking or smart or talented....I forgot where I was going with this
I have this wierd desease called "must tear everything up and put it back together when there's nothing wrong with it...Itus." |
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oasis Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2002 Posts: 2168
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Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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I don't like the aftermarket steering wheel that came with my '74. I don't know yet what it will need to make it safe and roadworthy (which is top priority), but I started a fair amount of searching and researching.
It seems a steering wheel from a Sports Bug won't work since that was a special edition from '73.
One choice I saw was a very stock looking steering wheel from a '79 convertible. In fact, its trim looks a tiny bit more upscale.
There are three other choices I liked. One was from an early Scirocco. Given its year, I'm fairly sure it would fit.
The other two are from Rabbits. One says specifically it was on a 1981. The other said it was from a later year Golf. Except one was blue and one was black, they appeared identical to the one I had (in grey) on my '81 Pickup. Of course, the stock '73 Thing steering wheel looks cosmetically the same as the '74 to me.
One aftermarket manufacturer made a distinction with their hubs as being different for those up to 1981 (Golf, Rabbit, Jetta, Dasher and Scirocco) and others starting in 1982. That manufacturer also said it was the same hub # as the 1303 (curved screened Super Beetles).
Another manufacturer seemed okay with the same hub for all Mk1 and Mk2 Golfs and the like through 1988.
I'm not that interested in getting an aftermarket steering wheel but I have to figure the hubs would give an indication on interchangeability of VW steering wheels.
Should I get the '79 'vert steering wheel knowing it should fit?
Would getting the early Scirocco steering present a problem with turn signals or horns?
If I opt for a Rabbit steering wheel, should I stick with the one that specifically came off of an '81 (or earlier)? _________________ Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI |
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Bashr52 Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2006 Posts: 5666 Location: On an island in VA
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Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 5:45 am Post subject: |
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I'm running this aftermarket wheel. It has a built in standoff so no issue hitting the turn signal or wiper levers when turning.
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GI Joe Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2005 Posts: 2012 Location: Athens, TN
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oasis Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2002 Posts: 2168
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Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 10:34 am Post subject: |
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Actually, I was using aftermarket hubs as a point of reference. My Thing has an aftermarket steering wheel now. The trouble I see is aftermarket companies are saying two different things.
Looking at some options of what I see now available in VW steering wheels, my options are from (1) a '79 Super convertible, (2) a '70s Scirocco, (3) an '81 Rabbit, and (4) a later '80s Rabbit.
From my reading, choice 1 should surely work. Choice 2 seems good, too.
My confidence wavers on choices 3 and 4 because one is supposedly within the year range (up to '81) and the other is in the grey area [up to '88]. Both are advertised as being okay with VWs like Rabbits, Golfs, Sciroccos and Dashers from 1975-88.
If "up to '81" is okay, I can limit my search accordingly. If 1975-88 water-cooled steering wheels are all interchangeable, I'd like a confirmation that it's the same as the Thing. (If not, there isn't a column to swap even if I wanted to go that route. Perhaps building off of a thread that originally wanted an older steering wheel on their Thing was a mistake on my part.) _________________ Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI |
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Ron Domeck Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2007 Posts: 1466 Location: louisville Ky
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Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 12:59 pm Post subject: |
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Did you ever confirm if you have a late 74 or an early? Do you have a plastis cover over the switch's or is the housing cast? VW change the columns somewere around Feb. 74. |
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oasis Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2002 Posts: 2168
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Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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Ron Domeck wrote: |
Did you ever confirm if you have a late 74 or an early? Do you have a plastis cover over the switch's or is the housing cast? VW change the columns somewere around Feb. 74. |
I'll have to check. For some reason I had it in my mind it was a mid-'73 change. Thanks.
BTW, I don't suppose a VIN check would reveal the answer, would it? _________________ Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI |
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Ron Domeck Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2007 Posts: 1466 Location: louisville Ky
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Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 5:27 am Post subject: |
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I will look up the vin that was suppose to change. |
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Ohio_Style Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2007 Posts: 610 Location: You'll never leave Sparta alive, Ohio
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