New Factory Steering Wheel or Cover Options?

[lotzagoodstuff]

So first off: I have to admit, I have a steering wheel problem. Like all addictions, the first step of recovery is admitting you have a problem. You show me a nice GM three spoke cushgrip, a cool German/Australian Ford steering wheel, or (best of all) real wood steering wheel out of a Shelby Cobra, and I'll pretty much stop in my tracks like I walked past a fresh and cooling apple pie. Whether I'm hungry or not, I'm gonna stop, check it out and appreciate the craftsmanship.

So my last truck and my current one both had very worn factory steering wheels. I'm not saying I blame anybody for working their truck (that is IMHO why God made trucks ) but wearing gloves and driving a truck results in the rim of the wheel getting worn, which leaves a steering wheel ****** like me twitching for a fix. I'm trying to find the factory part number as I'd like to get a brand new one if I can find one at a somewhat reasonable price.

I am also totally up for stitching a new cover over top of mine, or even one of the cheap "fits over the rim" Autozone/WesternAuto/Oreilly specials, although in general I hate how much larger in diamter they are than a factory wheel. My last truck was cut all the way through the outer cover on the top, so I actually seam ripped the factory stitching and removed the outer factory cover, which made the finished cover a little smaller which was pretty acceptable. I was thinking about doing the same thing but I figured there's plenty of OB folks smarter than me who might have a better solution than any I'm considering.

As usual, any descriptions are appreciated , and pics get two thumbs up

 

[79jasper]

On the obs you can swap in a newer SD wheel.

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[junk]

What about the brick nose column? Any factory options?

I also am looking for wheel upgrades. I've got moderately worn factory wheels and would love an alternative. I want to keep my cruise though.

 

[cpdenton]

On the obs you can swap in a newer SD wheel.

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Wonder if the cruise buttons are the same.....but now I got to find out! I hate the steering wheel,in my truck. It is hideous. I am going to at least swap it over to a newer f-150 OBS style with the airbag. That will help me with my newer cruise control swap too.

 

[79jasper]

I can't see it being different than the obs powerstroke, and I know they've made cruise work on it with the newer wheels.

I can't say on bricks, but I bet you could swap to one from a car.

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[LCAM-01XA]

What about the brick nose column? Any factory options?

You got the '91-down Econoline option. Their wheel is 1" larger in diameter and its rim sits 1" closer to you when installed in a pickup truck. Other than that, it's a direct fit, cruise buttons will also work properly. If you wanna go even larger, there's the 18" from the medium-duty F-series, and the rim on that will sit pretty much the same distance away from you as your factory wheel - however good luck finding a wheel that has cruise, it was a rare option and while it can still be had NOS it's certainly not cheap, almost $300 last time I happened to come across one on evilbay.

I can't say on bricks, but I bet you could swap to one from a car.

70s car maybe... Not '80s and '90s, those index on their steering shaft via two machined flat spots, whereas the bricks and older trucks use splined shafts and wheels.

 

[typ4]

Bricks with the lariat package are the hardest to find wheels for. I found one for 550.00 on ebay, and passed.

 

[79jasper]

Ah, okay. I know the obs you can also swap from a car, but most do the SD wheel.

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[lotzagoodstuff]

On the obs you can swap in a newer SD wheel.

Thanks for the heads up, I've always liked the SD/Excursion steering wheels. I was hoping for a passenger car swap, but I guess the large diameter of the OBS wheel is probably not going to match anything but a truck/SUV.

 

[LCAM-01XA]

Bricks with the lariat package are the hardest to find wheels for. I found one for 550.00 on ebay, and passed.

At that price I'd pass it as well, considering how many of these trucks were made and how ridiculously long they last it's about guaranteed that if one visits a U-Pull-It yard semi-regularly their patience will eventually pay off big.

Thanks for the heads up, I've always liked the SD/Excursion steering wheels. I was hoping for a passenger car swap, but I guess the large diameter of the OBS wheel is probably not going to match anything but a truck/SUV.

Nah, the OBS wheel is actually kinda small with its 14.5" diameter, which is also what just about every Ford passenger car from that vintage runs. It's probably just the giant unsightly weirdly-shaped center of the OBS wheel that throws your perception off, but the part that matters to most is the same size and more or less standard across the industry.

 

[laserjock]

The Lariat wheels were the leather wrapped ones. They usually fell apart. Personally, I like the regular style better so I bought a clean one of those and will swap in the cruise center section. That NOS wheel has been up for a LONG time.