Stock Steering Wheel

I know this subject has been beat to death but how many of you folks are still using the original steering wheel on your intermediate? Is the size really that much of an issue?
The reason I ask is that I am rebuilding the steering column and am trying to decide which way to go on it. When I bought the jeep it had an aftermarket wheel that was cobbled together to try and make the original horn wiring work. They failed. My jeep was a basketcase so I didn't really ever get to drive it before the big rebuild started. Since it's too cold to work in the garage I was down in the basement going through boxes and started to rebuild the column. I kind of wanted to go back to the original look so I poked around on the interweb and found several places that sell a reduced size wheel that looks similar to the original and uses stock wiring for the horn, which is still available as a kit, yay! problem solved. However after doing some more research it appears that smaller wheel is only for CJ5's up to 1971. Apparently the steering shaft on those was slighty smaller. If anyone has purchased that smaller wheel and used it on an 72-75, please let me know.
I'm not an overly large person, but as Larry the Cable Guy says, "I love Walmart, when I go in there in a medium". I know with a smaller wheel you get some better leg room, but with a dish offset it can move it closer to the belly. Just trying to decide on whether to buy all the parts to make it original type or press on with an aftermarket setup. I have read also about the wheel well notch but that would be a very last option if possible. Thanks for your thoughts. Forgot to add, I have power steering.

 

I’ve got a stock wheel in my ‘75. I’m 6’ tall and a bit more space would be nice, and I might address some different seats in the future. When I got mine, one of the first things I did was move the steering wheel up to make it easier to get in and out. It’s not much, but the difference was huge.

It moved from here to here…



…by cutting the dash and the column mount and adding 3/4” at the bottom…




… and then this bracket got tweaked accordingly.



I’ve got power steering too. Everything works as it should.

 

I really like that idea, that is something I will have to explore when I start putting the dash back in, thanks.

 

I used the stock steering wheel until I put in power steering, then I installed a smaller wood grain style.

 

I had installed a grant wheel but didn't like the spacer and dish as well as the diameter was too small (manual steering). Ended up using the grant hub and a 15" "Joe's Racing" from Summit. It was one that didn't have a dish that would make it too elevated. The wheel rim looks a little steam punk but looks nice with a good leather wrap. For me, the 15" is the perfect diameter.

 

When I bought my '79, it came with an aftermarket 13" wheel. I did not like it. The highway steering was too twitchy. So I bought a stock 15" wheel from J&W Auto Wreckers. Much happier. I should mention I have tilt steering and I full tilt the column for ingress and egress.

 

My first CJ5 that I had many years ago was a 1982, also had tilt steering and it was great. I took the original wheel off not because of the diameter, it was the very thin grip on the wheel itself. I did the same thing, put a 13 inch wheel on it realized I made a mistake. Changed it over to a fairly flat Grant wheel that was about 15 inches or so, much better.

 

I took my stock size and had it reduced to 15". It was way too big and would hit my thighs. I have all stock. power steering. Love the wheel now. Factory column, horn, turn signal, and wheel. More pics on my build thread of it installed in the jeep.

Not many options though to help us intermediates. 1. as NEOHIC did, lift and shift. 2. Seat notch. 3. Flaming River column & wheel. 4. Reduce the stock wheel.

 

He really did a great job on that. I was poking around and found the reduced size steering wheel that is available from a few jeep vendors is the same one that fits a Oliver tractor. They sell the same one at Stiener's tractor parts. I was going to buy one but it appears that the splined hub is a different size as the intermediates. I think I might just get one of the 15 inch wheels from Summit that uses the hardware I have now just to get it back to operational and then go from there whether I want to notch the dash or not.

 

Hi the original steering wheel though cool looking was also an issue for me i could fit comfortably in the vehicle im a big guy and would appreciate any inches of extra space i could get so i started looking for options. One of the biggest issues for me was not the size as much of the thickness of the wheel didnt have a nice grip and after a while my hands would hurt and was kind of scary when driving among other "not so safe drivers" on the streets.
Like you i started looking for options i ended up going with universal grant steering wheel there are a few of their wheels that fit you have to order the 4405 installation kit as well i also ordered a center jeep horn button for it also sold by grant. I have attached pictures of the wheel and what it looks like installed. It installs fairly easily nice and secure but the main issue i had was taking the old one off it was beyond seized i tried everything i read suggested and even homemade stuff but i couldnt get it off, after many days of trying i finally ended up ordering the kaiser willys puller
https://www.kaiserwillys.com/products/heavy-duty-steering-wheel-puller-fits-41-86-jeep-willys/

It was the only thing that worked not even traditional pullers worked for me. Once i installed it was a much welcomed upgrade not just because the jeep handles much nicer (power steering not needing the leverage that manual steering requires so no need for the huge steering wheel) but also the grip secure and much nicer and its easier to get in and out of the jeep now with the extra space!!!
Hope that helps let me know if you have further questions and good luck!

 

Thanks for info. I found a steering wheel at Summit that is made by Joe's Racing Products. They have a good selection of steering wheels that have no offset, 1 inch offset or 2.5 inch, the diameters vary. It should fit the steering wheel adapter I already have. I'm not going to worry about the horn for now. I will probably just put a pushbutton in the dash somewhere. I don't really plan on honking at anyone anyway, probably get shot at these days, ha. Thanks.