*Banjo Steering Wheel Needed*

zippi

zippi

Senior Member
Need a little help guys. The pics show my current 17" steering wheel in my 37 Ford pickup. I don't think it is original. I was going to get a new leather steering wheel cover to match the new interior but the seat is now a little higher and a little closer to the steering wheel. I'd like to put a 15" or 16" in to give me a little more room. Not really sure what is needed. If I take the nut off is it a spline shaft that the steering wheel fits over? How do I know what to buy?
 

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If the steering shaft is original, you should find a tapered shaft with a keyway. There were 4 different styles of banjo steering wheels beginning in 1936. The '36 has a larger diameter for the horn ring than the '37. '38, or '39. Each of the latter wheels has the same diameter for the horn ring but the "spokes" have a different pattern on the '37 versus the '38 and '39. Each of the 4 wheels has different "spreader" or "tie bars" between the spokes. For lack of a better description, the '37 tie bars will have three "grooves".
 
An original banjo wheel will still be 17". You will have to go to an aftermarket wheel to get smaller and will probably require an adapter to mate to your column. A smaller wheel will also increase your steering effort.
 
Your wheel looks like an orig '32.Juliano's makes smaller dia banjo wheels that should work.Make sure it has a keyway type of hub.
 
Remove the steering wheel to see if it's keyed or splined. The smaller wheel will increase the effort to turn the vehicle.
 
Shame, shame, Seldon. Kidding aside, it's not a Ford wheel, but rather that of a Stove Bolt.
 
DavidG said:
Shame, shame, Seldon. Kidding aside, it's not a Ford wheel, but rather that of a Stove Bolt.
Click to expand...

Good catch Dave, I didn't think it was a Ford wheel either, but wasn't sure enough to back up my thoughts in writing.
 
The only reason I know is that for years at Hershey, etc., I'd see one of those wheels from afar and hustle over to lay my hands on it only to realize once up close is wasn't a Ford wheel. My belief that it is for brand X is based on several vendors stating its heritage.
 
So, Is the steering in the truck stock or has it been replaced with a later model unit using universal joints in lieu of a solid shaft?
It is obvious from the pix that the truck has been altered, therefore carry the upgrades up to the steering column using a late model tilt column and a 15" wheel.
The '37 trucks did not come with banjo wheels so anything you put on it will not be stock.. Lacarra makes some nice banjo type wheels.
 
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