Aftermarket steering wheels?

[IXNAYXJ]

What are you all running? I've been meaning to add a slightly smaller diameter/thicker steering wheel on the race car for a while. I'm not sure if I should bother making it removable while I'm at it...anybody done this?

-Matt

 

[ehall]

What year is your pos

 

[IXNAYXJ]

What year is your pos

It's an '89. It's the crappy 2 spoke, 15" diameter wheel.

 

[bails85]

i like the grant steering wheels. nice but some of them can be pricey.

 

[IXNAYXJ]

Can somebody measure the diameter of their stock 3-spoke wheel? I really like this wheel, but I do want something a little smaller than what I've got now...just wondering if this wheel is any different in diameter. Thanks-

-Matt

 

[Hellbent]

i just swapped a grant wheel into the mj a couple days ago. it's a signature series-this one, to be specific. http://www.grantproducts.com/products/view/67/
i tossed the original 3 spoke wheel, but when i changed them, the grant(14") was quite a bit smaller than the factory wheel. i'd say probably about 1.5" smaller diameter.
also, the 3 spoke appeared to be the same dimensions as the 2 spoke that was in my '87 xj.

 

[IXNAYXJ]

i just swapped a grant wheel into the mj a couple days ago. it's a signature series-this one, to be specific. http://www.grantproducts.com/products/view/67/
i tossed the original 3 spoke wheel, but when i changed them, the grant(14") was quite a bit smaller than the factory wheel. i'd say probably about 1.5" smaller diameter.

Good feedback, thanks. What was involved in the doing swap?

 

[OverlandZJ]

Just measured my 3 spoke.. 15"

 

[IXNAYXJ]

Just measured my 3 spoke.. 15"

Thanks John. I figured it would be the same as the other factory steering wheels, just wanted to be sure.

-Matt

 

[bails85]

theres 3 bolts that hold the steering wheel on. not too much involved at all.

 

[Hellbent]

it's extremely easy. i had the steering wheel just sitting around, as i had pulled it off my old maverick before it went to the wrecking yard. i bought grant's xj specific adapter hub, pulled the o.e. wheel, installed the adapter, bolted up the wheel and hub spacer, and torqued it all down. the hub spacer i had was a 2", i'm going to swap that out for a 1" as it feels like the wheel is a bit too close to me/a bit too far from the turn signal stalk.

Good feedback, thanks. What was involved in the doing swap?

 

[IXNAYXJ]

I bought grant's xj specific adapter hub, pulled the o.e. wheel, installed the adapter, bolted up the wheel and hub spacer, and torqued it all down. the hub spacer i had was a 2", i'm going to swap that out for a 1" as it feels like the wheel is a bit too close to me/a bit too far from the turn signal stalk.

Perfect, that's exactly what I was looking for. I was curious if there was an XJ-specific adapter, thanks for answering that question for me. I'd love to do a remvovable hub, but I just can't see spending $130-$200...hell, I only paid $200 for the entire Jeep to begin with.

How do you like the 14" wheel compared to the stock 15"? Would you go smaller if you could?

-Matt

 

[Hellbent]

it seems like a really good match for the assist and ratio of the steering in the jeep. i was initially thinking that a 13.5" wheel would be ideal, but after driving with this one a couple/few days, i think it's perfect. makes the old one feel like i was driving a school bus. :thumbup:

How do you like the 14" wheel compared to the stock 15"? Would you go smaller if you could?

-Matt

 

[IXNAYXJ]

it seems like a really good match for the assist and ratio of the steering in the jeep. i was initially thinking that a 13.5" wheel would be ideal, but after driving with this one a couple/few days, i think it's perfect. makes the old one feel like i was driving a school bus. :thumbup:

Again, great feedback. Thanks!

-Matt

 

[Dr. Dyno]

Just measured my 3 spoke.. 15"

So is mine:

 

[lyleorszulak807]

I got a 13.5" grant wheel on mine, I used the adapter for a while but with no tilt steering column the wheel came out too far and up for my liking. Then when I came out one morning someone tried to steal my heep, so I bought a quick disconnect from jegs for 75 bucks. Works pretty good, only thing I dont like about it is the splines dont line up that tight on the hub so there is a little play...

 

[ehall]

I swapped one of the wooden Grant wheels on my Cadillac and it has the same kind of column as your XJ (and mine too). It was a real easy swap. I'm going to get another wooden one for my jeep one day. As a bonus the large metal surround makes it harder to smash the column linkage and steal the car. I think you can add a quick-release feature pretty easy on these models too.

The smaller radius makes it a little harder to turn the wheel. OTOH, aggressive power steering makes it easy to oversteer, and a lot of the muscle cars have tended back towards stiffer steering for improved predictability and feel. I certainly notice it on my Cadillac, steering is stiffer but is also more tactile. You will probably like it although it might make your arms tired

 

[Hellbent]

same situation with the mj right now...

with no tilt steering column the wheel came out too far and up for my liking.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

I have a grant 13" wheel in my XJ and I love it. I like the smaller diameter wheel I think it makes the steering feel more responsive.

 

[Hellbent]

here's a couple pics for reference; this is with the 2" hub spacer.