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zoti
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2007
Posts: 2175
Location: Plano, TX USA
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 Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 4:46 pm Post subject: Which VW steering wheel is a direct fit for the Vanagon? |
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1988 if that matters.
Which wheel fits without mods? |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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zoti
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2007
Posts: 2175
Location: Plano, TX USA
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| Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 6:04 pm Post subject: Re: Which VW steering wheel is a direct fit for the Vanagon? |
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| thanks |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6933
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2021 6:38 am Post subject: Re: Which VW steering wheel is a direct fit for the Vanagon? |
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I'm more interested in a late model VW steering wheel that has the push buttons for radio control fitting the Vanagon. 
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Fhak915
Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2010
Posts: 59
Location: Sebastopol CA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2022 8:35 am Post subject: Re: Which VW steering wheel is a direct fit for the Vanagon? |
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I was looking into new stereo head units and am finding myself in a rabbit hole of ideas. Did you find anything cool for steering controls?
I’m toying with the idea of a overhead console with shelves above the visors and a double din in the center.
Gentex mirror mounted to the windscreen and some other tweaks.
Just curious if anyone tried a more modern steering wheel set.
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Frank
86 AW EJ22 |
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DuncanS
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2013
Posts: 4583
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2022 10:01 am Post subject: Re: Which VW steering wheel is a direct fit for the Vanagon? |
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| Steve M. wrote: |
| I'm more interested in a late model VW steering wheel that has the push buttons for radio control fitting the Vanagon. |
When you say buttons for radio control, I'm assuming you mean buttons which can control the radio. Not buttons through radio control--bluetooth?--which will do stuff.
In researching this, for older cars, it appears the buttons are controlled through a clock spring type of foil of wire connections. Converting a Vanagon to do this would definitely be a hill for a climber. However, why not just keep the wheel you have and use these guys which could be let into the horn foam and look pretty stock?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QsSBiww3VM
Did I misunderstand your question and am way off base? Have no idea if more modern steering wheels with radio signal buttons can fit on a T3 column.
Duncan |
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Tobias Duncan
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2013
Posts: 1415
Location: Taos NM
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| Posted: Fri May 10, 2024 1:11 pm Post subject: Re: Which VW steering wheel is a direct fit for the Vanagon? |
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I just saw a picture of tencent"s syncro on another website and it had a rabbit GTI steering wheel.
How tough would that be to swap in? I really liked the look.
Also would love to hear about any other VW that are bolt on |
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Steve Arndt
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2005
Posts: 1798
Location: Boise, Idaho
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| Posted: Fri May 10, 2024 1:36 pm Post subject: Re: Which VW steering wheel is a direct fit for the Vanagon? |
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I have an early eurovan non airbag wheel. It looks similar to the south african wheel. It is a little tight on the headlight dimmer for spacing but it works.
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Steve
Steve's 87 Syncro project |
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16CVs
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004
Posts: 4312
Location: Redwood City, California
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| Posted: Sat May 11, 2024 10:46 pm Post subject: Re: Which VW steering wheel is a direct fit for the Vanagon? |
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South African fits perfectly but a little hard on your pocket book!
Stacy
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8290
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sat May 11, 2024 11:23 pm Post subject: Re: Which VW steering wheel is a direct fit for the Vanagon? |
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I understand that the four button GTI/Cabriolet(?) steering wheel is a direct swap on a Vanagon. It's the best looking steering wheel of its generation if you ask me.
| Tobias Duncan wrote: |
I just saw a picture of tencent"s syncro on another website and it had a rabbit GTI steering wheel.
How tough would that be to swap in? I really liked the look.
Also would love to hear about any other VW that are bolt on |
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| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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tencentlife
Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006
Posts: 10163
Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
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| Posted: Mon May 13, 2024 9:25 am Post subject: Re: Which VW steering wheel is a direct fit for the Vanagon? |
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| Tobias Duncan wrote: |
I just saw a picture of tencent"s syncro on another website and it had a rabbit GTI steering wheel.
How tough would that be to swap in? I really liked the look.
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The 4-button (not GTI, though) wheel I found on ebay was listed as a 79-89 Mk1, Mk2. That has the right splined shaft size, I guess that changed in later models.
Here's the topic, with some info on what needs to be modified:
https://intrepidoverland.com/hand-somethings/
And how it provided impetus for a much juicier project:
https://intrepidoverland.com/up-cocking-the-pit/
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Tobias Duncan
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2013
Posts: 1415
Location: Taos NM
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| Posted: Mon May 13, 2024 6:48 pm Post subject: Re: Which VW steering wheel is a direct fit for the Vanagon? |
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| tencentlife wrote: |
| Tobias Duncan wrote: |
I just saw a picture of tencent"s syncro on another website and it had a rabbit GTI steering wheel.
How tough would that be to swap in? I really liked the look.
|
The 4-button (not GTI, though) wheel I found on ebay was listed as a 79-89 Mk1, Mk2. That has the right splined shaft size, I guess that changed in later models.
Here's the topic, with some info on what needs to be modified:
https://intrepidoverland.com/hand-somethings/
And how it provided impetus for a much juicier project:
https://intrepidoverland.com/up-cocking-the-pit/ |
Thanks Chris ! Very cool stuff
I will try to find a four button wheel |
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vwwestyman
Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2004
Posts: 5874
Location: Wamego, Kansas, USA
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| Posted: Mon May 13, 2024 7:24 pm Post subject: Re: Which VW steering wheel is a direct fit for the Vanagon? |
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There were a couple column sizes in the late 80s/early 90s watercooled cars.
I had a 1990 Corrado and it's steering wheel was for a larger shaft size, but the steering column was the smaller size.
So it had an adapter ring that was part of the whole setup. As I recall, I could pop the wheel off with little effort by loosening the nut, but then needed puller arms to get that adapter off the column.
I actually had two different 1990 VW Corrados with this setup.
All that to say, if someone decides to get a different wheel and the shaft size is too big for your Vanagon, you probably then need to find one of these adapter rings!
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1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
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zoti
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2007
Posts: 2175
Location: Plano, TX USA
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| Posted: Mon May 13, 2024 9:48 pm Post subject: Re: Which VW steering wheel is a direct fit for the Vanagon? |
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I ended up installing a Jetta wheel from 1991. It required some fitting but works great. It's smaller and the horn button isn't falling apart.
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Corwyn 
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2009
Posts: 2453
Location: Olympia, Washington
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| Posted: Mon May 13, 2024 10:30 pm Post subject: Re: Which VW steering wheel is a direct fit for the Vanagon? |
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So what I hear is the original, early Eurovan and the South African are the only direct-fit alternative steering wheels. Though there are plenty of options involving some tweaks.
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