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magician
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2007
Posts: 95
Location: Seattle, WA
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 Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2016 8:02 pm Post subject: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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Looking to get started on a refurb/upgrade on my T3. Since SA steering wheels are not readily available, looking for alternatives for a nice wheel.
Anyone try a Porsche Cayenne?
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04 R32 | 85 Cabrio | 79 Rabbit | 91 T3 Carat Auto
'00 Jetta TDI (sold)| 91 Cabrio (sold) | 81 Rabbit diesel (sold)| 87 T3 GL (sold) | 91 T3 Carat 4sp (sold) |
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svenakela
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2006
Posts: 776
Location: Ekerö
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| Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2016 11:21 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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The early T4 model is bolt on. It feels better when driving, much better ergonomy.
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2016 11:39 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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Just about any VW, Audi or Porsche wheel used during the T3 production period can be made to fit. I've had both Porsche 944 and Mk1 Cabriolet wheels on my van; the latter feels the best.
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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OB Rat
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2013
Posts: 77
Location: Florence, OR
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 6:53 pm Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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Today i'm polling myself as to which one to stay with...
1 - My stock wheel that I double wrapped in leather. A very comfortable and thick grip this way. Feels great, looks nice and gives you the benefits, and drawbacks, of the stock wheel.
2 - I also installed this VW MK1 "GTI" wheel (1985-1988 version) in order to try out an alternative steering wheel. It is a direct, simple bolt on replacement. No mods needed with this wheel. Smaller in diameter by a little. It does block a small portion of the upper corners of your speedo and tach. But my seats (Recaros) sit pretty low so not an issue for me. I'm gonna give it a week or so to see how I like it. A thought is to also "wheelskins" wrap this one, tho it is leather from the factory.
Thanks for letting me share...
Peter
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the joker
Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2006
Posts: 1287
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| Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 5:38 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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is there a difference with power steering vs manual 
my stock wheel is to big  love to upgrade , reduce the size , but still be able to control , and be safe
84 2wd manual everything |
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TKentT
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2013
Posts: 232
Location: Sevierville TN
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| Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 6:19 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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| the joker wrote: |
is there a difference with power steering vs manual
my stock wheel is to big love to upgrade , reduce the size , but still be able to control , and be safe
84 2wd manual everything |
Manual steering has a larger diameter wheel, so you can get more leverage, reducing the effort required. These larger wheels feel more like a truck, not a car. Using a smaller wheel from a power steering vehicle would require a lot of effort for slow speed maneuvering, like while parking.
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1952 MG TD Replica, 69 VW IRS pan, 1679cc with 40 HPMXs -- Most fun for the money out there...
1986 Doka Transporter, 14" Syncro w/dual lockers -- 60,000km Swedish firetruck...
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=682322
30+ VWs before them... |
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OB Rat
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2013
Posts: 77
Location: Florence, OR
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| Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:28 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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Good point. My van is equipped with power steering so going to the smaller wheel is not such an issue. Iv'e read that yes, going to a smaller wheel is tough if you don't have ps. I can tell you that it is very nice to have the extra room with the smaller wheel. getting in and out of the van is much easier, tons more legroom.
I may go back to my stock wheel as having it double wrapped is very nice. While I test out the smaller GTI wheel its sitting on a counter in my garage but I keep picking it up and it feels really, really good. Double wrapping with leather is a common Porsche thing, (maybe others too?). I used 2 "Wheelskins." |
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VWagabond
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2011
Posts: 272
Location: Charlotte, NC
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| Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:38 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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OK, color me dumb...what's wrong with the stock wheel. I get along fine with both the camper & synchro stock steering wheels. They're both power steering. My old 83.5 with armstrong steering was tough to wrestle with sometimes, but only when manuvering at slow speeds.
To me it's a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" issue, but to each their own.
Happy Motoring
Tom
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VWagabond
87 Camper GL
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CessnaJon
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Joined: August 15, 2008
Posts: 677
Location: Senoia,GA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:40 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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I have a wheel from a 90 GTI. It's one of my favorite mods. The smaller diameter makes the steering faster. Totally changes the feel of the vehicle .
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1973 Westy (shared birthday)
1990 Westy Multivan
2015 Passat TDI 6sp
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RyanKE
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2015
Posts: 49
Location: OB, San Diego
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| Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 6:25 pm Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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I've still never had a chance to own the Porsche 911SC that I've always dreamed of. I thought about installing the 3 spoke 80's Porsche wheel, so I could at least daydream on those long hauls.  |
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SteveVanB
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2008
Posts: 1645
Location: This side of Daytona
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 3:36 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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Make your own 
Its still in project form, but you get the idea 
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VWagabond
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2011
Posts: 272
Location: Charlotte, NC
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 6:41 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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| SteveVanB wrote: |
Make your own
Its still in project form, but you get the idea |
Gives new meaning to 'Steering Linkage'.
Tom
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VWagabond
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OB Rat
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2013
Posts: 77
Location: Florence, OR
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 6:46 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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| That's rad! I'd buy one...after my tetanus shot! |
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a914622
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Joined: July 29, 2004
Posts: 840
Location: Westend of HWY2 , Wash
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 8:15 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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The 944 wheels fit, the SC don't . Bigger center hub dia
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SteveVanB
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2008
Posts: 1645
Location: This side of Daytona
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 10:40 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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The 944 wheels do indeed fit. The one i tried stuck out to far for my liking though. It was to tall in the hub area.
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SteveVanB
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Joined: June 01, 2008
Posts: 1645
Location: This side of Daytona
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 10:42 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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| OB Rat wrote: |
| That's rad! I'd buy one...after my tetanus shot! |
I plan on having the chain line-x'd. Ya know, for the sensitive hands.
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 10:44 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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The 944 wheel I used was just too small of a diameter and obscured the top of the gauges. The Cabriolet wheel is slightly larger and is the Goldilocks solution for me.
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3118
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 11:14 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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| SteveVanB wrote: |
| OB Rat wrote: |
| That's rad! I'd buy one...after my tetanus shot! |
I plan on having the chain line-x'd. Ya know, for the sensitive hands. |
Be careful with that. Any prospective buyers may suspect that you're just covering up rust
I'm also happy with my stock wheel - after adding a leather wrap. I like the way the old school style matches the vehicle but the extra girth and softness of the wrap is much appreciated.
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SteveVanB
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2008
Posts: 1645
Location: This side of Daytona
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 11:50 am Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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| SCM wrote: |
| SteveVanB wrote: |
| OB Rat wrote: |
| That's rad! I'd buy one...after my tetanus shot! |
I plan on having the chain line-x'd. Ya know, for the sensitive hands. |
Be careful with that. Any prospective buyers may suspect that you're just covering up rust |
Haha! Good point! Im not sure there would be enough demand to start making them for sale. I am making a new center out of black walnut so that may be a game changer
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Merian
Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014
Posts: 5212
Location: Orygun
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: Steering Wheels - What fits |
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it will definitely be a game changer for the thoracic surgeon who has to dig splinters out of you
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