Woodgrain steering wheel

[richRTSE]

Is there a difference between 70 and 68/9 woodgrain steering wheels? The reason I ask is I've seen some listed for 68/69, others for 70, and now B/E&A has repro ones listed for 68-70. I've got a 70 column with a woodgrain wheel on it, will it fit my 69?

Thanks, Rich

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

The difference is the color of the wheel.   The 68-69 was a darker brown & the '70 was lighter.
The wheels will interchange between all years but the main difference is the horn cap assy.  68-69 used a tapered horn ring to fit into the column per say, where as the '70 used a larger wider ring due to the column being a larger diameter due to the ign switch being moved into  the column....

[richRTSE]

Thanks Chris. Now I just need to decide whether I want to send mine out to be restored or just a new one from B/E&A.

I know there are a couple guys that restore them, but has anyone on here bought one of the new repro ones? Are you happy with it? Is the color darker like a 68/9 or lighter like a 70?

[BananaDan]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,78649.msg888089.html#msg888089

I just got this one from Mike Tarkington (http://www.steeringwheelsbymike.com).  It is a BEA repro wheel for a 1970 modified by him to look accurate.  he redoes the woodgrain finish and brushes the chrome spokes.  He also restores originals so he can cover you on either side.  This wheel is for my 1970 Charger R/T.

Dan

[Brock Lee]

Didn't they drill holes into the 3 spokes on the wheel in 1970 to attach the new, larger horn button?

[resq302]

I thought that was the case also but the holes are covered up still if you have a 69 application.  But I could be wrong.

[BananaDan]

Didn't they drill holes into the 3 spokes on the wheel in 1970 to attach the new, larger horn button?

Yes, from what I have learned from Mike, the 70 wheels also had a hole drilled near the center section in each spoke for the black plastic trim ring to attach.  He does that as well as a part of his services, and did that on my BEA repro wheel I just forgot to mention it.  I think this is 70 only, 68-69's don't require that black ring and drilled holes because their column is not as wide/fat as a 70 since the ignition switch is not on the column in 68-69.

Dan

[Ghoste]

I didn't know someone was redoing the spokes of the repro wheels to get the correct brushed look.  That's good news.

[resq302]

Hate to say it but upon closer observation of the spokes, it looks like it was just glass beaded lightly and not a brushed appearance.  Yes it is more of a satin sheen now but there are not the radiating lines like the originals had.  Maybe it is the monitor I am using also.

[BananaDan]

Maybe, but it's better than the chrome spokes the repro's come with so I'm happy.

Dan

[resq302]

And if you are happy with it, that is all that matters!   

[Ghoste]

And that's true.  It does leave me disappointed again though, I thought there was a way to get those things looking correct and now I'm all depressed again.

[richRTSE]

Well I decided to send my old wheel off to Mike Tarkington in Texas. He said it would take about 3-4 weeks. I'll post some picts when I get it back. I'm a bit disappointed the new wheels don't look close to stock. Dan, I think your wheel looks great now.

Here's a picture of the 3 holes used on the 70-style. They do get cover by the horn, so it can be used on 68/9s.

[Nassau1969]

The 70 wheel is different the column circumference is wider than 68 69.

[Nacho-RT74]

The 70 wheel is different the column circumference is wider than 68 69.

you stolen my words...

remember guys, 70s Mopars have the ign switch on colum, requiring a bigger diameter housing

[plumbeeper]

Go back and read the first reply. The steering wheels are the same size, it's the horn cap retainer that is different on the 70 to fit the larger diameter steering column.

Dave

[richRTSE]

Sorry it took so long to post picts, but I've been pretty busy, not much time for car stuff... anyway, I got my wheel back from Mike Tarkington in Texas. I am very happy with it, and it was done in less than 3 weeks. I was happy with the original appearance on my spokes, and they didn't need to be refinished. I'd definately send Mike another wheel.   I had a '70 wheel that I'm using in a '69, so I needed the 69 horn adapter, which I also got from Mike...now I just need to get rid of that monster tach...

[richRTSE]

and for reference, here is a comparison of the 69 vs 70 horn adapter...you can see the 70 (bottom one) is wider at the base. Both are the same height. You can also see the holes in the 70 wheel are NOT visible with the 69 adapter in place...

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Looks great Rich....I too am running a '70 wheel in my '69....it was a "Drivers Ed Simulator" wheel so it still retains all of its original woodgrain....as close to NOS as you can get!

[gtx6970]

I am very happy with it, and it was done in less than 3 weeks.

Then thats all that matters

[nascarxx29]

The 70 wheel I got out in my shed is different in color and has different horn ring and plastic adapter to fill the column.Then the ones you find on 69 and down

[Rolling_Thunder]

just thought ya'll like to see an expensive steering wheel...        too rich for my blood

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-MOPAR-1967-PLYMOUTH-GTX-STEERING-WHEEL-100-PT-SHOW-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3cae1b4cc9QQitemZ260619062473QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[y3chargerrt]

I'm pretty sure that wheel has been on Ebay a LONG time!