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I am still looking for a zero-dish steering wheel for my VW based Replica. I
would like a wood steering wheel for a classic look, at least 14 or 15 inch
diameter. Unfortunately because of how the steering column was installed I
need a zero-dish wheel or the wheel ends up “in your chest”. Anybody
found one the bolts on the VW shaft without an adapter? If I have to add an
adapter it moves the wheel out 2-3 inches closer to my chest!
This wheel is flat,
http://www.amazon.com/Grant-1057-Streetwires-Mahogany-Wood/d p/B000CMF3NA
Grant’s standard adaptor is about four inches. They sell a low profile adaptor that is about two inches.
And this is an interesting option, based on original VW steering wheels.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=776467
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Chuck,
Most all the aftermarket steering wheels use adpaters. It would not be smart business to manufacture wheels that only fit one vehicle. Hence adapters are usually required. They also make may different logo horn buttons to sort of “match” what you want it to look like or say.
The Grant adpater (old style) should not move the wheel any closer to you than a stock VW wheel. You can’t go “negative” dish, the blinker stalk needs clearance.
Grant makes many “zero dish” wheels. http://www.grantproducts.com/
Pink MG40037.4081828704
Paul…that banjo wheel is the Bee’s Knees!!! It looks like it belongs in a TD replica…$339 is a lot cheaper than the Grant too.
I am building a Volksrod out of one of my two Beetles. It has to have one of these wheels!
Thanks for the help but I’m still stuck! All of the Grant wheels are dished to
some degree according to the online catalog. The Samba referenced wheel
looks good and appears to be zero-dish but I had my heart set on wood!
Moss Motors has some great models that would look great but they are
Moto-lita style wheels with the rim mount from like a 6 inch rim with
multiple Allen screws. They also have a nice looking brand called “Tourist
Trophy” that is much more reasonably priced but with very limited adapters.
I really like the look though.
Chuck,
Look on the Samba and type in steering wheel – should be a few that will fit the bill – wood ones as well.
Also on the bay – lots of nice used wood wheels – just type in wood steering wheels under the bay motors section.
I gave one away the other day or you would have had one.
Dale
Check Speedway Motors in Nebraska. They still carry the old flat style wheels that were copies of the Bell flat track type wheels. They’re not nearly as attractive as the banjo wheel, but they are not as expensive either. Also check out some of their other items. I bought a momometer(round themometer) for the top of my Migi grille shell.
I solved this problem by making a zero dish wheel. It’s not that hard if you know CAD and know of a sheetmetal shop with a CNC laser, plasma, or waterjet cutter. Draw the design of your choice in CAD (must be good quality with all vectors attached).
A CNC shop can convert your drawing to G-code and cut out your shape. I used 1/8″ carbon steel with paint but stainless would have been a better choice.
I drilled out the rivets from the original wheel and tranferred the wood parts to the new wheel.
It was labor intensive but also cheap.
Just got the new mid america motorworks catalogue looked like a nice wheel item #396-404 I don’t know quality but for 100.00 it doesn’t look bad.
I checked it out in MAM’s on-line catalogue.
Looks pretty good to me. Price is right too!Worst that can happen is you are not satisfied when you open the box and you have to return it.
OK, I guess that’s not true. The WORST that can happen is you install it, it delaminates at speed, falls off in your lap and, well you get the picture. But you’ll have a better idea of the quality once you get it in your hands.
I would go for it.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Toma, how much did you pay for your wheel “blank?” I was thinking of doing the same, and wonder what’s fair for that kind of cut.
Chuck,
here is a link to a flat wood wheel for vintage look. they also have a nice ivory banjo style with vw adaptor hubs and various horn buttons.
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C38-I-18 0Will
(Edited by Paul Mossberg to correct the link)
PMOSSBERG40200.6586458333
It’s hard to tell, but I do not think the wheel that Washington Will posted is a “zero dish” wheel.
The spokes definitely have a slight bend near the rim. They appear to bend at the center.
“Flat 4” in this case is the manufacturer; not a description of the wheel.
Nice wheel. But if you really need a “zero” Chuck, I would call CIP before I ordered this one.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Bagged the “make your own” idea; too many projects going. Sprung for the HUUGE (17-inch) Bluemels Brooklands replica at SoCal. Almost a bolt-on for the old Grant 3-hole hubs–just need to take the hub apart and drill out the top piece so the wheel nut can cinch up.
Of course, now I’ll have to cut the dashboard and re-mount the thing about an inch and a half higher to get back my leg clearance. And that’ll mean making new clearances for the steering shaft all the way down to the steering box. I’ll get to that when the adjustable beam comes.
All done it should look very TD-esque.
edsnova40237.789537037
Ed, You are correct, that wheel does indeed look TD ish. I’ve always admired them on the original MGs. If the steering wheel is as low on the VW based BCWs as it is on the Chevette based ones I can understand why you need to raise it . I’m already wondering why I didn’t raise mine when I reworked the dash but hindsite is always clearer.I like your interior mirror too.
I can get in the car, but only if I bend my knees in ways I probably won’t be able to do too many more years. If I raise the column an inch and a half then the bottom of the new wheel will be only a quarter-inch lower than the old. Original TDs had that kind of “relief” for the steering post as well (see below). The top of the steering wheel was close to even with the top of the dashboard. I can do this, but i dread the complications.
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