Smaller steering wheel for a 55 options?

[ScreaminJohnny]

Hello again everyone. Since yall are so helpful on this site and I can’t find this info anywhere I thought I’d ask here. Yes, I did try to search this site and I did try google but it seems there are only answers for 56/57 wheels. Every topic about the 55 wheels kinda just hits a dead end.

Anyways, I’m a taller + bigger guy and it is an awkward show to get into my bird. Once I’m in I can drive it alright, but for getting in and out and driving sake, I would like to explore my options on a different steering wheel.

Car is a 55, i have power steering and my steering column sliding mechanism works as it should. I would like a 15” steering wheel like I have on my 66 mustang. I’ve seen the 15” factory appearing steering wheels for 56/57 and as that would be ideal for me, but I’ve heard they won’t fit, plus they’re a concave style, not flat.

Edit: I found this part front Grant as well. Grant 4291. This part specifies it’s for 1955-57 thunderbirds.(Some websites say 55-57 others only say 56-57) The pictures between the 4291 and 4267 are identical. So not sure what’s with that. Link here:
https://partshawk.com/grant-4291-steeri ... n-kit.html



I came across this Grant 4267 Steering wheel adapter for 49-56 fords, and I’m wondering if anyone has any insight on if it would work for my car. Here’s a link: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Grant-42 ... 77921.html

I understand this would push the steering wheel closer to the drive an inch or two. But I’m willing to go this route if I can run a standard 3 bolt aftermarket wheel. I’m sure I can find a flat 15” wheel that suites my desires.

The only other inquiry I have is, can I get a aftermarket wheel with at least a tbird badge on it? A stock appearing smaller wheel would be ideal, but being a 55 I don’t have this option.

Thanks in advance.

[55blacktie]

ForeverSharp makes 2 or 3 steering-wheel adapters for 55-57 Tbirds. You'll want to get a wheel with minimal dish. The OEM wheel, although flatter than a 56-57 wheel, has a slight dish. I doubt you'll find an aftermarket wheel with the Tbird logo, but you should find one with a Ford logo. You might take a look at Grant's horn buttons.

[ScreaminJohnny]

Just checked out forever sharp. Good website, their vehicle adapter search says the B15 series is the adapter for a 1955 bird.

There’s basically 2 versions of B15. One is a 5 and/or 6 hole adapter. The other is a 3 hole adapter. The 3 hole adapter is a decent amount thinner than the 5/6 hole. I’m going to do some research and see if I can find a wheel I like in any of those bolt patterns. Preferably 3 hole due to the saved space I’d get.

Thanks for the help. I’ll probably post back here with wheel options in case someone comes across this in the future.

[ScreaminJohnny]

Well here’s my plan of action thanks to 55blacktie.

Going to get the 6 Bolt (p/n: B15) hub adapter from Forever Sharp. Link: https://fssteeringwheels.com/products/6 ... 1806379049

A CJ Classics 15” black wood grain wheel. (p/n: STW162) This is a flat dish design steering wheel, should be good. I like the wood grain because I have this exact steering wheel in my mustang, except that one is walnut, and this one is black like the car. Link: https://www.cjponyparts.com/cj-classics ... XMQAvD_BwE

And then lastly, I’ll probably get a horn button cover to make it more neat. I found this on eBay with the old Ford V8 logo. Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brushed-Steeri ... 568?_ul=IN

There’s also this blank one from CJ. It would be cool to find a Thunderbird 1 1/2” horn button logo. (p/n: HBG131) Link:https://www.cjponyparts.com/cj-classics ... &year=1982

I’ll try to post pictures when done if anyone is curious to see finished product.

[55blacktie]

I ordered my Forever sharp adapter from Amazon. Although I specifically ordered the 5-bolt adapter, a 5/6 adapter was sent. I was concerned, asked why they sent a 5/6 adapter, but it's fine. It could be that if use have either a 5 or 6-bolt wheel, they will ship a 5/6 adapter.

By the way, different sites will post different wheel specs for the same wheel; that was the case for the dish for the wheel I purchased. Make sure that the specs for the wheel you wish to purchase are correct.

[ScreaminJohnny]

I noticed the 6 bolt only adapter has 2 different 6 bolt steering wheel bolt patterns. A 2.75”and a 2.90”. The website doesn’t show which bolt pattern the steering wheel is, but in pretty sure that 2.75” is the most common. I’ll look at different websites to try and find out.