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Topic: 1976 Steering Wheels?

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1976 Steering Wheels? (1/23)
7/29/08 10:56pm

Aaron1976
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Corvette Stingray L-48 Automatic Black

Joined: 11/17/2007
Posts: 830

OK does anyone know what I need to do to get an aftermarket steering wheel for my '76 that will fit? Oh it does have Tilt/Tele column. I wanted an old style Grant but it seems the '76's have the one year steering wheel thing going on. Help? Unhappy

Unhappy

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1976 Steering Wheels? (2/23)
7/29/08 11:27pm

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Aaron try this,

http://www.grantproducts.com/showapplications.aspx?year=1976&make=CHEVROLET&model=CORVETTE

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1976 Steering Wheels? (3/23)
7/30/08 1:04am

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Moses Lake, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II

Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134

Hi Aaron

I looked into changing my wheel several years ago but had other thing to do on the vette first so never got around to doing it. From what I remember you can change out 4 or 5 parts in the column with parts from either the year before or after, can't remember which. I will need to look back at some notes I had on it and get back to you. After the swap you then use wheels for that year.

1976 Steering Wheels? (4/23)
7/30/08 4:23am

Aaron1976
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Corvette Stingray L-48 Automatic Black

Joined: 11/17/2007
Posts: 830

Todd, I went to the "contact us" section of the Grant site to ask them about my year Vette and if the Corvette series steering wheels will bolt on with no kit as the site says ('68 to '82).

Glen, I would really be interested to hear what you researched for this steering wheel problem. I was thinking I could just put another steering wheel on without any problem but that does not seem to be the case.

I contacted either Eckler's or Zip and they advised that the direct bolt on steering wheels for '68 to '75 and '77 to '82 will not fit my year and they do not sell even a replacement wheel for '76 (nobody does). Most of the catalogs note that the steering wheels will not fit 1976.

What I really wanted was a smaller sized (13" to 14") steering wheel with a simple classic style with some chrome.

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Aaron

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1976 Steering Wheels? (5/23)
7/30/08 8:12am

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Rockland, MA - USA

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76, L48, 4spd & 09, LS3, 6spd

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Not probably what you want to hear, but I've heard that some 76 owners have simply changed out the 76 column for an earlier column.

Hey - it's a 76, that's why they're so special!

Hug

Willis762008-07-30 05:13:35

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1976 Steering Wheels? (6/23)
7/30/08 9:59am

6880Mike
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Horse Cave, KY - USA

Vette(s):
1968 convertible; 1980 L-82

Joined: 10/22/2007
Posts: 488

[QUOTE=Aaron1976]...it seems the '76's have the one year steering wheel thing going on. Help? Unhappy

Unhappy

...[/QUOTE]

Correct. the 76s and some 77s without Tilt/Tele got the Vega wheel. Nothing will swap for it. Cars with T/T got the 3 spoke wheel. You can keep what you have or swap in a T/T column.

Smile

1976 Steering Wheels? (7/23)
7/30/08 11:09am

VetteSpecialties
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Mounds View, MN - USA

Vette(s):
70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe

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68-76 T&T steering columns are fairly rare and expensive, but 77 + are more abundant and therefore cheaper. We get $1,500 for a rebuildable early ones, and $700 for late.

Larry

1976 Steering Wheels? (8/23)
7/30/08 1:25pm

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Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

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According to the original post, the car DOES have a T/T column. Sooooo...what's the issue? Are we saying the T/T column on the '76 is also different from the other years? I wasn't aware of that. I knew the normal, Vega-wheeled, non T/T columns were red-headed step childern, but I always thought the T/T columns were the same as the earlier years.
Have I learned something new here today?

Is there no end to the knowledge to be gathered here?
Will that silly wabbit ever get his Trix?

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1976 Steering Wheels? (9/23)
7/30/08 2:37pm

Aaron1976
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Corvette Stingray L-48 Automatic Black

Joined: 11/17/2007
Posts: 830

The Grant tech sent me a reply. They do not make anything for the '76 Corvette. The colunm was only made one year and was not on any other GM car. They could not afford to make the tooling to produce a wheel for so few vehicles that were made.

My '76 is a late model with a tilt/tele colunm, is there a chance it is the same as a '77? The steering wheel on my Vette is 15" and has what I consider to be 4 spokes, 2 coming from the center hub on each side.

(Trix are for kids!)

Aaron19762008-07-30 12:11:59

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1976 Steering Wheels? (10/23)
7/30/08 9:40pm

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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!

Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424

Yep, that's the same wheel that they used on the Vega.

Not to worry, the heater control is the same as the Chevette.

kstyer2008-07-30 18:41:17

1976 Steering Wheels? (11/23)
7/30/08 11:07pm

lbbounder
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Florence, KY - USA

Vette(s):
1977 Coupe; yellow, 4 speed, one option car with original engine

Joined: 9/9/2007
Posts: 143

somewhere I read the 77 wiring in teh column was one year specific, sooo.... not being the wizaed but I do not believe the 76 and 77 will interchage, (easily)

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1976 Steering Wheels? (12/23)
7/31/08 12:18am

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Moses Lake, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II

Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134

Ok, here are the articles I found a while back on how to convert the columns both early and later series columns.

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/02/T&T69-75StrgWheelTo76ColumnRev16FE06.doc

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/02/T&T77-82StrgWheelTo76Column16FE061.doc

1976 Steering Wheels? (13/23)
7/31/08 11:08am

6880Mike
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Horse Cave, KY - USA

Vette(s):
1968 convertible; 1980 L-82

Joined: 10/22/2007
Posts: 488

[QUOTE=VetteSpecialties]...68-76 T&T steering columns... [/QUOTE]

No tilt on the '68s; tele only.

Smile

1976 Steering Wheels? (14/23)
7/31/08 1:57pm

Aaron1976
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Corvette Stingray L-48 Automatic Black

Joined: 11/17/2007
Posts: 830

Thanks Glen! These are great articles. They give an option for our '76 Vettes. Pretty much if you get the parts it seems to be an easy switch.

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Aaron

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1976 Steering Wheels? (15/23)
8/1/08 10:03am

tonyb47
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Suffern, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1976 restored,new interior,custom paint(purple),body kit,rebuilt engine,trans,upgraded sound system

Joined: 3/16/2005
Posts: 227

My 76 vette has a grant steering wheel

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1976 Steering Wheels? (16/23)
8/1/08 10:47pm

Aaron1976
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Corvette Stingray L-48 Automatic Black

Joined: 11/17/2007
Posts: 830

OK, tony47 would you like to let us in on how you have a Grant on your '76?

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Aaron

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1976 Steering Wheels? (17/23)
8/2/08 11:37am

tonyb47
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Suffern, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1976 restored,new interior,custom paint(purple),body kit,rebuilt engine,trans,upgraded sound system

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Posts: 227

I don't know what you mean, I purchased this 76 and it had a grant steering wheel if you send me your email I will send you a picture as I don't know how to add pictures to this post

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1976 Steering Wheels? (18/23)
8/2/08 6:27pm

Aaron1976
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Corvette Stingray L-48 Automatic Black

Joined: 11/17/2007
Posts: 830

tonyb47, I will send you a PM (private message) with my e-mail.

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Aaron

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1976 Steering Wheels? (19/23)
8/6/08 1:38pm

VetteSpecialties
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Mounds View, MN - USA

Vette(s):
70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe

Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031

And if you are simply trying to replace a damaged 76 original wheel, we have a red one in nice shape, including the hub.

Larry

1976 Steering Wheels? (20/23)
8/6/08 3:55pm

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Greensburg, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...

Joined: 9/24/2003
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Okay if nothing but the 76 wheel fits the 76 why is a Vega Gt wheel on the 76?

Back in the day I put many a Vega Gt wheels on Chevy flat glass vans (64-69) wit no problem.

Do other Chevy wheels fit the 76 then?

Tuxblacray2008-08-06 12:56:15

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1976 Steering Wheels? (21/23)
8/6/08 4:19pm

Aaron1976
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Corvette Stingray L-48 Automatic Black

Joined: 11/17/2007
Posts: 830

The question is can you put a Grant wheel on a '76 Vega? My main goal is to put a smaller sized wheel on my '76 Vette. The stock (Vega GT) is in great shape and does not need replacement.

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1976 Steering Wheels? (22/23)
8/6/08 5:22pm

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Greensburg, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...

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I gotcha Aaron.. I read that the 76 wheel only fits the 76. I read what the grant dude told you. I know the 76 wheel fits a 64 - 68 Chevy Van.

So does a Grant wheel fit the 64 - 68 Chevy Van? If not why not? Does it fit the Vega?

Thats why I was wondering if other Chevy wheels interchange with the Vette / Vega wheels..... It isn't adding up for me just yet.

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1976 Steering Wheels? (23/23)
8/6/08 8:41pm

Aaron1976
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Corvette Stingray L-48 Automatic Black

Joined: 11/17/2007
Posts: 830

tonyb47 sent me pics of his Grant wheel on his '76. His '76 does not have the tilt/tele colunm.

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Aaron

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