Steering wheel quick release

[Damn True]

My '68 Camaro will have a cage with door bars (not full-on NASCAR style, but fairly substantial - sorta like Steveo's). So getting in/out will be challenging. [insert fat joke here]

I'm looking to keep additional length on the column to a minimum but between a sparco (or similar) wheel adapter and a QR I'm afraid the wheel will be excessively close.
I plan to use the GM column or an ididit replacement column but I'm not married to that.

Can someone suggest a combination of parts (the depth of product knowledge here is astounding) that will keep the stack height and in turn overall column length to a minimum.

Much thanks,
True

[Jim Nilsen]

Hi True, How ya doin? I solved the problem 2 ways. I put on the GRANT steering wheel system that allows you to have a removable steering wheel and still be DOT approved. It is sold as an antitheft device but works as well for what you are thinking. After a bit of getting used to you might not even bother with removing it but you will then have the benefit of of NO WHEEL NO STEAL strategy.

You can find what I am talking about at their website.

Jim Nilsen

[Damn True]

Interesting option.

Downside: I wouldn't be able to run the Sparco wheel that I have my eye on.

[parsonsj]

True,

Check out http://www.tekniqauto.com/US/steeringquickrelease.htm. They have a version for Sparco/Momo wheels.

jp

[Damn True]

Linky no workee

Is this it?
http://www.tekniqauto.com

lol, got it

[parsonsj]

Sorry ... I think I got it now.

jp

[Damn True]

That is interesting. I'll have to call them to see if they have a version that fits an early GM column.

[parsonsj]

Me too. I'm using an ididit column, which I think is the same thing. I need to do that ... I'll post my findings here.

jp

[Damn True]

My thread so I don't feel bad hi-jacking it.

Did you see the rope Bonds hit last night?
A bum knee, 12 bone chips in his elbow, he's opening his hips early in his swing and his balance is all jacked up right now, but he ripped a 208' 2-bagger off the center field wall in AZ that never got more than about 12' off the ground. He basicly one handed the thing.
The guy can freakin hit.


But yeah, I'll try to call them or one of their distributors tomorow. Whomever of the two of us gets to it first, post results here.

[parsonsj]

No, I missed his hit. I'm all excited about the Reds coming back from 5 down against Dontrelle Willis and the Teenagers.

No doubt the dude can hit. Frank Robinson used to terrorize pitchers the same way by standing on the plate and daring pitchers to come inside. Bonds was (and is) a lock to make the HOF ... it's too bad he's messed up his legacy with his steroid antics.

I haven't seen him play (I made it to AT&T Park for the A's/Giants exhibition game, but Bonds was out with the elbow thing). How does he look in the field and on the bases with those injuries?

jp

[RaceMan]

Just make sure if you go with the removable wheel it has a GOOD saftey lock , I've seen wheels come off and IT AINT PREETY .

[Damn True]

Raceman, thanks for the tip. Duly noted.

Make no mistake, Bond's is not in contention for a Gold-Glove. But, like Ozzie Smith was at short in his later years or even Walter Payton in his later years, the instinct for the game and the experience are still very much there. His first jump on the ball is as good, if not better than anyone in the game. Regardless of age. His weakness now is in top speed, and being able to stop to make a throw. The knee is still not right.

My first baseball game was in 1977 at Candlestick. Just a few years before McCovey retired (1980 I think). My buddy's dad explained to us how guys like McCovery, Mays and Robinson were just able to see the ball better than most, and how their short compact swings allowed them an extra split second to watch the track of the ball. They, like Bonds didn't approach an at-bat the way a normal "slugger" does. They hit like lead-off guys, but the quality and power of their swings allow them to be as effective as a contact hitter, but do so with more power.

[parsonsj]

My first game at Candlestick was in 1972. The Giants beat the Padres 14-12, with McCovey going deep.

I think a young player by the name of Winfield was playing for San Diego.

My first game overall was at Crosley Field in Cincinnati (with the hill in left field patrolled by Pete Rose) in 1969. I'll never forget how green the grass was when I first saw it.

jp

[Damn True]

My first game at Candlestick was in 1972. The Giants beat the Padres 14-12, with McCovey going deep.

I think a young player by the name of Winfield was playing for San Diego.

My first game overall was at Crosley Field in Cincinnati (with the hill in left field patrolled by Pete Rose) in 1969. I'll never forget how green the grass was when I first saw it.

jp

The 77 game was my first regular season game. I got to go to the All-Star game at the Stick in 1984, dig the lineup:
http://baseball-almanac.com/asgbox/yr1984as.shtml


When I was stationed in NYC I was able to go to the Yankees home openers each of the three years I was there. Steinbrenner gave opening day tickets to the military stationed in NY back then. Don't know if he still does.

I gotta make it out to Camden Yard one of these days. Kathy has family in Cleveland so I'll probably hit the Jake and Tiger stadium (short drive to Detriot) this summer.

[parsonsj]

Ah ... 1984: Dwight Gooden was 19 years old, and a can't miss no. 1 pitcher for the next 15 years. He was being compared to Feller, Gibson, and Seaver.

Then he found cocaine.

What a shame.

jp

[parsonsj]

Oh, back on topic:

I ordered up my kit. Hub and quick release for Sparco wheel. All in black, and it will ship tomorrow. Cost was $250 or so with shipping. I want to get it installed before deciding which steering wheel to use ... I will probably need some dish to it.

jp

[Damn True]

So the answer is, yes it will work with a GM column. So you think the stack height will be less, or more than the OE setup?

Ya know, I wrote to ididit the other day asking about a weight delta between their alumninum and steel columns. The guy told me there was virtually no difference in weight. Maybe he was full of prunes, but if not, what the heck would you pay the premium for the aluminum for?

[parsonsj]

I'd guess they sell aluminum columns that get polished. I painted my steel ididit column body color.

Yes, it will work with a GM column, and the total height is about 4.5 inches. He's sending me a couple of spline covers to see which works better.

jp

[Damn True]

I'd guess they sell aluminum columns that get polished. I painted my steel ididit column body color.

Yes, it will work with a GM column, and the total height is about 4.5 inches. He's sending me a couple of spline covers to see which works better.

jp

JP,

What's your assesment of the system?

[Damn True]

Cool, I'm more than happy to let you do the R&D for me.

I can't see any reason to not go purchase a used or repop GM manual trans column.