Factory steering wheel on tilt column?

[JoePro]

Anyone running a factory steering wheel on an Ididit column? Or what would need to be modified to accomplish this? I saw Icon doing a similar mustang looking steering wheel…

 

[.94 OR]

I have a small Grant wheel on my tilt column. I can still bust a finger on the windshield if I'm flat palming the wheel face and turning fast. I'd be nervous about a larger wheel but it does look nice.

 

[DirtDonk]

Which column do you have? A generic Ididit probably won’t work with a factory Ford wheel of any kind. Most of them, at least I think, are set up for GM wheels which I believe use a different diameter or spline count up there at that end.
Kind of strange since three-quarter by 36 is a very common shaft size I think. Maybe not…

Otherwise, if it’s a direct fit style column then the Ford wheels should just go right on.
But then that’s the whole point of the direct fit type.

 

[JoePro]

It’s one of the generic GM type. I was hoping maybe something could be adapted to fit the Ford wheel. Mine is a 73 automatic column shift and I know Ididit doesn’t make one for that year. Any way to make the direct fit work on a 73?

 

[Yeller]

Not possible with the generic column I tried and everyone laughed at me. So I settled on a really nice mustang esque wheel from wild horses. I came close to doing the original Icon wheel, it’s off of a Caterpillar backhoe.

 

[DirtDonk]

Direct fits a 73 no problem. Well, no problem other than having to fiddle and tweak with the wiring and adding a lower shaft.

The only physical differences between a 73 and the 74 through 77 are the addition of the hazard switch on the column, the change from solid one piece to collapsible shaft and the change in wiring connectors.
But the new lower shaft is a nice upgrade anyway and the change in wiring is pretty straightforward to deal with.

Otherwise it just bolts in place like any other column would.

 

[DirtDonk]

Oh, and the change from a clear acrylic PRNDL indicator to the hooded/shrouded version.
But since you have to add a new one anyway, that’s a moot point.

 

[tbratz]

I made an adapter so I could use my stock Steering wheel, since I didn't like the smaller wheel that came with the new column. I took the stock steering shaft and cut it off below the steering wheel and welded it to a round piece of metal I cut out the same diameter of the column. The aftermarket column came with a collar that mounts to the column that the aftermarket steering wheel is supposed to mount to using about 8 small button head screws. I drilled and screwed into place my adapter plate onto the new column and mounted the factory wheel to that. Might sound a little confusing, but It was a pretty simple mod.

 

[JoePro]

Thanks for all the info

 

[BGBronco]

Stock column. Recently went back to the factory sport wheel. tilt is great if you have a highly adjustable seat but i don't see the need (for me).