Aftermarket steering wheel

[JimNolan]

Hello guys,
   I hope this post finds everyone in good health this year. It's been a long time since I've been on here.
The reason I'm posting is I want to get a 14" steering wheel for my 57 Fairlane and I'm having a hard time finding information on whose installation kits will fit my 57 with the horn wire coming thru the center of the steering shaft. Apparently my stomach is getting bigger or my steering wheel is moving toward the rear of the car, I haven't figured out which yet. In any case, have any of you installed a smaller steering wheel that worked with the 57 Fairlane that enabled the horn to still work as intended. If you have, will you tell me whose steering wheel you bought and which installation kit worked. Thanks guys. Jim

[RICH MUISE]

Mornin' Jim! Good to see you posting again. Your stomach's getting bigger and my memory getting worse. JFYI, I seem to recall not too long ago seeing a oem style reproduction steering wheel, identical, but 14". Not sure what youre prefference would be, oem style if it can be found, or aftermarket.

[JimNolan]

Rich, I'd take a reproduction at 14" if I could get it. It'd help. Years ago I did that to the wheel I have now. But, that cost a fortune to send it to Australia and get it done. I was thinking I needed less dish also.

[Thor]

I don't know for sure whether or not they fit but I have seen these 1956-1957 Ford Thunderbird 15" Steering wheels advertised on EBAY for a quite a while. I have always thought they would be an option to look at for a smaller replacement steering wheel. I have provided a link to one below.

  http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-in-box-smaller-1956-1957-Ford-Thunderbird-15-steering-wheel-warranty-/141645564989?hash=item20fabbcc3d&vxp=mtr

[VwDrvFnd]

i used a Grant 13", 3 spoke wheel with a 3 1/2" dish. i used Grant's 57 T-Bird adapter after talking to them about it. Everything works good. For the horn i used the Grant horn kit that came with the wheel and all i did for the wiring was gently pull the center wire with the brass ball on it out a bit and wrapped the stripped horn kit wire around it. finished the install and it works perfectly.

[geraldchainsaw]

hi Jim,    after spending all that money on the inport wheel,   & your probly going to get another,  tell me how much u want for the old australian one,   since it matches my car colors,    jerry

[JimNolan]

hi Jim,    after spending all that money on the inport wheel,   & your probly going to get another,  tell me how much u want for the old australian one,   since it matches my car colors,    jerry

Jerry, I wondered when someone was going to question my sanity (lol). I hadn't thought about it but I'll think about it now. When I posted the first time I thought about you, hope your health is holding out. It's been a long time since I've been on here. Jim

[suede57ford]

My brother James just put one of the new smaller '57 Thunderbird wheels (off eBay) in his 57 ranch wagon.   

He had to clean some of the splines on the new wheel up with a file a little to get it to slide one the splines properly.   

He said it works good with his power steering box(predecessor to the new Borgesson box).

Looks good and correct in a '57 Ford

[junior58]

Suede, I assume the standard 57 Ford horn wiring system works with the smaller T-bird wheel?

[KYBlueOval]

My brother James just put one of the new smaller '57 Thunderbird wheels (off eBay) in his 57 ranch wagon.   

He had to clean some of the splines on the new wheel up with a file a little to get it to slide one the splines properly.   

He said it works good with his power steering box(predecessor to the new Borgesson box).

Looks good and correct in a '57 Ford

Suede57ford........I've heard good reports about the Borgesson Steering Box, what can you tell me about it? Thinking I'd like to make this conversion.
Thanks
John