Have a '71 Challenger and have removed the crush can (I have a short reach and legs) and am currently using a Grant adapter and steering wheel. Would like to switch to an original Challenger two spoke wheel (pic below).
Will the Tuff wheel adapter fit the stock Challenger steering wheel? Looks like it will fit but I would like to be sure before ordering one.
It will fit but I'm not sure that it makes the steering wheel too close to the dash pad? :notsure:
I seem to remember others using it though? I think that was in an A-Body though? :thinking:
Without the crush can, won't the turn signal lever be too close to the wheel and hit your knuckles?
YES..the bolt pattern on the two wheels are the same but you might have other annoying issues as mentioned.... :alan2cents:
Thanks guys! I fugure the Tuff adapter is about the same length as the Grant adapter that is already on the car (see pic). Its also possible that the turn indicator lever got a little bend in it back in the '80s when I put this steering wheel in.
Quote from: Brads70 on September 14, 2019, 02:28:26 AM
It will fit but I'm not sure that it makes the steering wheel too close to the dash pad? :notsure:
I seem to remember others using it though? I think that was in an A-Body though? :thinking:
Dash pad, what dash pad...:)
Quote from: 70 Challenger Lover on September 14, 2019, 02:36:14 AM
Without the crush can, won't the turn signal lever be too close to the wheel and hit your knuckles?
What's sticking out the hood ?
Looks like an old tube television or maybe a coffee table?
What, you are not noticing the fuel line to a carb sitting on a Mopar tunnel ram top in the upper right corner? That thing sticking out of the hood would be the intake of course!
Quote from: anlauto on September 14, 2019, 11:33:16 AM
What's sticking out the hood ?
Quote from: 70 Challenger Lover on September 14, 2019, 11:48:59 AM
Looks like an old tube television or maybe a coffee table?
Nice! Love the Mad Max look
Yes much nicer than a coffee table.
At one point, I used a b body crush can (it's shorter than an e body). It did put the wheel closer to dash and give more room, the problem I had is when you move the wheel closer to the dash it also drops down closer to your knees since the wheel is at an angle. I just went back to the original crush can and a smaller diameter wheel.
Quote from: Fern on September 14, 2019, 04:25:24 PM
At one point, I used a b body crush can (it's shorter than an e body). It did put the wheel closer to dash and give more room, the problem I had is when you move the wheel closer to the dash it also drops down closer to your knees since the wheel is at an angle. I just went back to the original crush can and a smaller diameter wheel.
I do wish these cars had a tilt wheel. Just a few degree tilt up would be nice to get in and out. I don't mind it too much once I'm seated. I would also prefer a wheel that was maybe 1" less in diameter but with manual steering, I need all the leverage I can get.
I installed a tuff wheel in mine, it dose make it more interesting being manual steering. :alan2cents:
Looked at my turn indicator lever and I did bend it a bit to clear the steering wheel. TUFF wheel adapter arrived today. Will hopefully get it on tomorrow.
Tuff wheel adapter arrived and steering wheel is now on the car. Thanks guys!
:twothumbsup:
I have contemplated this very thing . . . needing additional room between the steering wheel and myself.
Has anyone ever done a "chop" on a stock crush can??? :driving:
Quote from: Claudia on September 25, 2019, 10:10:16 AM
I have contemplated this very thing . . . needing additional room between the steering wheel and myself.
Has anyone ever done a "chop" on a stock crush can??? :driving:
Interesting that you ask...
I am planning on attending the Fall Fling in VanNuys next month. Hoping to find one I can slice and shorten.
I have the capability of cutting, welding (properly) and finish machining so change becomes unnoticeable.
Quote from: Burdar on September 25, 2019, 10:26:17 AM
Just throwing this out there...
On an A-body, the steering column outer jacket isn't a solid piece. It is a metal "mesh". This is what collapses in an accident. On an E-body, the outer column jacket is solid and it's the crush can that collapses. I'm wondering how safe an A-body Tuff wheel adapter is when installed on an E-body.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Sxf1KsGn/DSCN2179_zpsf45f9499.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Excellent point. The A and B-body cans do not collapse.
The background on that first picture is like nothing I've ever seen on here. This is an interesting thread ha
I can't really believe what we call the "crush can" on E-bodies is meant to collapse.
The lower column pushes up for this purpose.
Your chest hits that wheel with enough force to collapse that and your toast.
The ribs on the can are there for a purpose... :alan2cents: The factory literature even says this.
https://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/dealerships/DealershipDataBook/1970/70_Challenger0027.jpg
https://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/dealerships/DealershipDataBook/1971/71_Challenger0023.jpg
I don't doubt they claim that,
Hit that can with a hammer hard enough to collapse it, and I guarantee a blow 1/2 that hard to your chest is not something you walk away from.
Some pics of the installed wheel and Tuff can. Definitely the most uncomfortable steering wheel I have ever used. Half wrapped it with leather lace at the event and that helped a very little bit. Will be looking a covering options.
Electrical meter has just noted that the MISC fuse is hot with no keys in the car...
Quote from: Katfish on September 26, 2019, 08:22:47 AM
I can't really believe what we call the "crush can" on E-bodies is meant to collapse.
The lower column pushes up for this purpose.
Your chest hits that wheel with enough force to collapse that and your toast.
@Cuda Cody (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/cuda-cody_1) and I stumbled across this "crushed can" this afternoon! :unbelievable:
Crash can better than a solid piece of metal or nothing but none-the-less I would like to see what the persons chest that hit it looks like :rubeyes:
Original Mopar engineer crash can tester with a 426 Hellephant on him :rofl:
Any pics of the car that can came out of?
contemplating OP's issue and other comments I wonder if a smaller diameter thicker wheel might improve his experience.. I recall a few folks along the way installing a Grant wheel.... maybe the "Challenger" model 13.5"?? Whatever they were using it only took some minor modification to mount the wheel to the crush can & '72-up horn button was used
(https://img.letgo.com/images/a6/62/2d/65/a6622d65a69115084c650390e83e69d5.jpeg?impolicy=img_600)
and then there's their "Tuff Wheel" 15" diameter which appears to be made to fit
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/N~oAAOSwgvVdQgRD/s-l300.jpg)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Plymouth-TUFF-Steering-Wheel-Grant-NEW-MoPar-Factory-Second-/233302274043
Another approach that may help is to add a spacer under the front seat mounts to tilt the seat back.... I am average height and on my '98 GT I found that for leg comfort I had the seat all the way back but the steering wheel always felt like a reach. After adding 1/2" spacers under the front seat mounts I am able to move the seat a little closer & the wheel feels much better.
Had a wheel somewhat like the first one shown in your post and changed it for two reasons: wanted a larger diameter wheel because of manual steering and 265mm wide tires on the front and I wanted a wheel that looked more like the wheel in Mad Max's interceptor (round holes in the spokes).
Spacers under the seat is an interesting idea, Will think on it.
Quote from: Bullitt- on October 11, 2019, 03:07:45 AM
contemplating OP's issue and other comments I wonder if a smaller diameter thicker wheel might improve his experience.. I recall a few folks along the way installing a Grant wheel.... maybe the "Challenger" model 13.5"?? Whatever they were using it only took some minor modification to mount the wheel to the crush can & '72-up horn button was used
Another approach that may help is to add a spacer under the front seat mounts to tilt the seat back.... I am average height and on my '98 GT I found that for leg comfort I had the seat all the way back but the steering wheel always felt like a reach. After adding 1/2" spacers under the front seat mounts I am able to move the seat a little closer & the wheel feels much better.