40 - Hilux Steering Wheel Swap

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Joined
Jul 17, 2008
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Location
Marfa, Texas
I don't have any working experience with 40's. This idea has been knocking around in my head for a while. Not sure why. I think the old Landcruiser style hubcaps evoke something of the Cruiser family tree in my 1st gen pickup. Plus, I'm a bit of a luddite. I really dig the old, thin profile, hard plastic steeringwheels from the 40's and 55's.

Question: Does anyone know if the wheel from a late-production 40 will fit onto a 1st generation pickup column?

First, I like the look.
Second, they seem to be a wider diameter and may prove useful for non PS
Third, they seem to provide less cushioning and I hope it will make me drive more cautiously
Mostly, I like the look.

Seems like (in my very limited knowledge of steeringwheels) that two things are critical: Size of nut/retaining rod (dia) and backspacing to the top of the column. That said, I've never had to pull a wheel in my life, so of course there's more. I can't imagine the electrical could be too tricky, but maybe the contact rings for the horn a re a problem... I don't know. I'm guessing here... Hence the open question.

What do you think?
 
Like this one...
Picture 12.webp
 
Don't know the answer to your question, but I feel the same way about the 1st gen steering wheel going into my 3rd gen.
Haven't tried it, but I've got a '79 steering wheel that I think looks really cool.
 
Well, if you have the wheel then you are 9/10ths of the way there!

If anyone has an old wheel knocking about the garage they want to donate (or sell for a few bucks, say $10 or $20? I'm open to experiment myself...

Does the third Generation have airbags? Never gotten that far up the line... Or that close to safety. :rolleyes: I guess you just disconnect that jazz and hold on tight.
 
Man... I'm glad I live in the minitruck forum.

I posted this on the 40 / 55 page and it's like the main line over there... Everything happens so fast! Question after question! Who can keep track...?

We'll have to test the responsiveness / usefulness of them dudes...

I'll post the informal results

Tentatively matched in the age old manner Quality versus Quantity
 
Ok, so the informal poll results are in and the verdict is those guys are super helpful...

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-seri...ies-hilux-mini-truck-steering-wheel-swap.html

Not that I don't love y'all too. Just figured I'd let you know.

It IS easier for a guy who has a FJ40 to measure his steeringwheel though.. So the Minitruck forum gets a handicap.. And there are like 6 times as many of those dudes, so considering... at least you tried. Maybe. :flipoff2:

Alright, I will quit breaking your balls... Who cares about a bleeding steeringwheel anyway? It's a quirky idea. You have been super helpful with carburetor advice and what would the 40 guys know about that? Pshhh. I take it all back.

Thanks for all the help over the years.

I'll post info on the steering wheel swap if it works out. I'll be in Austin this weekend and will be trying to source a cheap wheel. That said, if any of you kids has a few 40 parts (steeringwheel, ahem, ahem) knocking around, send it to me eh?

Thanks

DB
 
Don't know but ... the steering wheel off a Gen 2 mini will fit on a FJ60 or a FJ62 column. I'm running a mini wheel on a FJ62 column in my FJ40.

Try it.
 

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