Aftermarket steering wheels and adapters.

[superstar]

After driving my Ghia I have decided the stock wheel feels massive and must be replaced. What diameter and offset is a good fit for the Ghia?
Is this adapter the one to use if I want to retain the stock horn?

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp ... D79%2D4015

[FJCamper]

Hi Superstar,

The three-bolt Grant pattern is widely used, and the VW kit does let you use your horn.

There are lots of Grant pattern wheels out there. Very wide number of applications.

We modified a Grant three-bolt adapter to a removable steering wheel kit, and then drilled an old genuine Racemark wheel to fit. We don't use a horn on the race Ghia, but carry the reminder (engraved by a jewelry shop), STAND ON IT.

FJC

[Piledriver]

I vented a bit when installing a Grant wheel on my T3, although the specifics will vary on model year and probably between models.
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic ... 4&t=133833

I found that the total cost of the "cheap" ~$50 Grant wheel plus all the adapters/spacers needed and the MUCH nicer ~$100 Grant wheel ended up being ~$17.
YMMV depending on year and probably by model, and it's as clear as mud from the Grant catalog exactly what you need.

Also the horn button setup on the $50 wheels is a very cheap, sad joke, my horn button setup on the $100 wheel looks pretty solid.

I ended up making another spacer from scrap, as that was ~the right size.
(I don't think it's 2.5", but I have slept since then, it's not shown in the pics)

[Greg Rickard]

I installed a Scat Europa (14 inch diameter) steering wheel on my '71 Ghia. The steering wheel is of very nice quality - '70s retro black metal spokes with a leather (or leather-like) covered wheel. I do not recall having to use an adapter. The Europa wheel provides just the right amount of steering grip clearance for the turn signal stalk, and the smaller wheel diameter provides better clearance for getting in and out of the car.

I did have to modify the horn contact; Scat's contact pin set-up did not provide reliable horn activation, so I crimped on a spade terminal to the end of the rod to increase the contact surface area with the steering wheel hub (all nicely hidden under the horn cover). Works like a charm.

[superstar]

I found grant steering wheels website http://www.grantproducts.com/ and using the application search everything I need for my car popped up. It looks foolproof to order everything you need. It seems that you choose a steering wheel and select the installation kit for your car. Now with near 200 steering wheels to choose from I'm gonna be busy for a while.

[Greg Rickard]

These adapters allow you to use your vehicle's factory steering wheel audio controls to control your new aftermarket car stereo. ...

Sweet ...uh, we are talking about vintage VWs here...what factory steering wheel audio controls?

[superstar]

These adapters allow you to use your vehicle's factory steering wheel audio controls to control your new aftermarket car stereo. ...

I dont know about that but for my '65 installation I was able to use the factory horn.