I'm not a fan of the FFR steering wheel, so I'm looking for a replacement. My last "fun car" wore a suede sparco racing wheel (which I'm tempted to repeat), but I'm also intrigued by completely the opposite direction and putting a classic style wheel on there.
I'm using 275 front tires, without power steering.. so the 15" wheel might help
What do you dislike about the FFR wheel? I agree that it sucks a bit as it comes. The half plastic rim is cheesy as hell and you're stuck with the FFR logo for a horn button. My solution was to order a "wheelskin" to match my upholstery (in this case black) which I easily stitched on myself. Then I filled the FFR logo on the horn button with JB Weld and made up a vinyl emblem to my liking. Pretty pleased with the slightly thicker leather rim and also with some accent color on the horn button.
"If everything seems to be coming your way, you're probably in the wrong lane."
After installing Erik Hansen's electric power steering package in my MKIII, I realized I didn't need the bigger diameter factory supplied steering wheel to overcome the tire friction when parking and at low speed turning. So I installed the MEMO racing wheel, 1" less diameter, and flat on the bottom for easier entry.
I'm just not a fan of that style of billet on cars. Reminds me of the Boyd Coddington rod era. If I were younger with a bigger budget I'd go race theme again, but this time I currently prefer that '40 replica wheel for some classic style.
I saw one for the first time last weekend, and assuming it was stock I also didn't like the 'sharp' aluminum grips on the back.
James
FFR33 #997 (Gen1 chassis, Gen2 body), license plate DRIVE IT says it all! build thread
My build: 350SBC, TKO600, hardtop, no fenders/hood, 32 grill, 3 link, sway bars, 355/30r19
Previous cars: GTD40, Cobra, tubeframe 55 Chevy, 66 Nova, 56 F100
I have the MOON GT Foam Grip Slotted Spoke Wheel (can't find the link for the 13"). To date I have four items for my '33 :: Wheels, Steering Wheel, Engine, and Trans!
I used the supplied FFR wheel on my 33 Hot Rod but am not crazy about it either.
This photo shows what I did on my latest project which is a 1940 Plymouth pickup truck. I wanted a classic Mopar wheel so I chose a "square" wheel from a 1963 Chrysler 300 "Letter" car. I had to modify the base as well as repaint it and did the leather wrap myself from a flat piece of goat skin. The right steering wheel can totally influence the whole mood or theme of the car.
This post might just inspire me to find a better wheel for my 33 Hot Rod.
Stacked33
I have made a bad choice! I went for the 1940 replica wheel, liking the look originally, but now I’m gokarting it sucks. Having two spikes and a thin plastic rim just isn’t doing it for me. When I’m driving - even gokarting around neighborhood at 20mph - the wheel is flexible!! It’s flexing as I turn corners. No thanks.
So I’m returning back to the sparco suede model I loved so much on my GT40. 13-14” and may as well look for a quick release while I’m about it. Which thread do I see others who have done this on the hot rod?
James
FFR33 #997 (Gen1 chassis, Gen2 body), license plate DRIVE IT says it all! build thread
My build: 350SBC, TKO600, hardtop, no fenders/hood, 32 grill, 3 link, sway bars, 355/30r19
Previous cars: GTD40, Cobra, tubeframe 55 Chevy, 66 Nova, 56 F100
I don't recall seeing anyone put a quick release steering wheel into a '33, but Paul B. put one into his recent Type 65 build: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...l=1#post399325 You can't go wrong following Paul's lead on anything, IMHO. Keith HR #894