I can't thank you enough for this posting. The only thing that I had to redo was the orientation of the steering hub so that my steering wheel alignment was correct. Taping the screw holes was pretty easy and didn't hold me up too much. Thank you!
The vega gt steering wheel is the best factorywheel I've ever used. Been using them since the late 70s in 7 different cars. They come in many different colors to match your interior
I’ve used many Grant steering wheel install kits over the years. None as complicated as the factory swap over you just did. If I ever own a GM car with factory telescopic wheel and want to install a nicer steering wheel I’ll definitely be watching this video again. Thanks for the straight forward info on how that all goes together and works. Merry Christmas to you and your family Ben.
_Happy New Year 2019 to you and your lovely wife Jasmine. Another great _*_TH-cam video_*_ Ben, lots of great content and very informative on the '76 steering wheel swap._
Them steering wheels you’re calling Vega steering wheels are pretty good steering wheels. I had a 70 1/2 Camaro that had one. They might not be as prestigious as one of those aluminum spoked ones , but they work pretty well. It seems like Oldsmobile and Buick had some steering wheels that were a mixture, aluminum 4 spoke with a vinyl rim, that were a mixture of both. I used to see them at swap meets a lot.
One of the reasons I didn't care for the 76 Corvette. I had a co worker who's brother owned a 76. I liked the car and the steering wheel didn't bother me as much as his love for a set of white wall tires on the car. GM didn't want to spend the money necessary to tool and make a wheel just for a very limited number of vehicles. Things were pretty tight in the mid 70's. Dave McLellan was the chief engineer for the Corvette taking over from Zora in 1974. He discussed the topic of the wheel debacle in his book, Corvette from the Inside. Not sure why they changed from the 1975 steering wheel to begin with. Not sure why the bean counters at GM didn't realize that Corvette buyers would express their displeasure at sharing a steering wheel with the lowly Vega either. I had owned two 77 Trans Am and Pontiac knew how to make cars exciting. The Trans Am dash and steering wheel remained unchanged from 70-81. I did however buy a 1980 Camaro Z28 with a crack engine block. I quickly stuffed a 400 small block in the car and lost interest in it and sold it before I even got the vehicle tagged. It had the Vega wheel. Maybe that was part of it.
Great info Ben, the vid should be helpful to anyone who wants to swap out that ugly Vega. Those horn contacts seem to always be a pain in the butt! Have a Merry Christmas, take care. -Glen
Just an FYI but that steering wheel was an upgrade for the Vega, but indeed common for the Camaro. Most Vegas had a cheapie interior with a basic large-pad wheel, and the Camaro seats and wheel were an expensive upgrade and that wheel was mainly for the Vega GT. I had a Vega back in the day with the upgrade interior, but still had the lowly steering wheel.
I don't understand why everyone thinks the Camaro/Corvette steering wheel is ugly. You are correct, Chevy did use them in the GT Vega, not all Vegas. Anyway, I think they look really cool in the Corvette. Ben is right about them not aging very well though. I also noticed that no one has ever replicated them. One in good condition are very hard to find and very expensive.
Hey Ben FYI got a word from one of the guys about the corvette that finnegan of Mike Finnegan's garage bought, its been sold to a friend and will be on the show soon.
@@TheCorvetteBen I thought it was red? but yeah that one, the one his neaubor gave him that had the seized engine block from sitting I think as its been a very long time since its been on the show
Ben I been looking through your videos trying to find a front suspension rebuild on a c3 Corvette.. I got an 81 and the bushings tie rod ends a arms everything needs to be replaced let me know if you have a video that you did that is like that I haven't found it yet. By the way you have some great videos thank you very much for putting them on TH-cam
I have a similar column in my 31. I think out of a riv as it said buick on it . no shift lever. It was brown. I painted it black and got a bowtie emblem for it. Onluy thhing is it is not as fat as wheels today.
I'm looking for information about how to replace the signal lever. Is it a push-in and twist to remove and then install a new one? Do you have video that covers that by chance? I have a 1982.
First Ben thanks for doing a video on this wheel swap. Is this kit sold at all the Corvette stores as a 76 cheering wheel swap? Around $230 at Ecklers. And also what year cheering wheel will fit the 76 after you get this kit. Ecklers told me only a 77 to 82 would work. I have looked for a kit but I can't ever find one in stock. Any suggestions where I could buy all these parts at today? In stock? Thank you Sir. What's the chance you could do a video on those dreaded trailing arms?
Any wheel will work. 69-75 or 77-82. Just depends on what kind of look you want. I prefer the earlier wheel because they last longer and have a more old car feel. Look up column conversion
@@TheCorvetteBen I also l like the 68 to 75 steering wheel. Ecker told me not very many dealers ever have those conversion kits. The company that makes them only does it once a year. Willcox Corvette and Ecklers told me that and willcox would not let me order one. If you can tell me where I can get one without having to do a steering column swap I'd appreciate it. Also do you have a nice black steering wheel like in the video? Thanks Ben, I love your videos. I sure wish I lived closer to you. I live in Indianapolis and no one works on older Corvettes here. I found a place near Chicago I might take her to for the rear end, trailing arms and a few other things. I'm in need of a TH400 TRANSMISSION and love to get my engine rebuilt. I just bought a 350 block that's out of a 88 Corvette, 4 bolt main. I'm taking it to the machine shop in February for machining and I'm looking for some aluminum heads. Thank you Sir. rpmorgan3@gmail.com Instagram is, corvetteroy1976
You can buy every single one one of those items separate. You don't need to buy the "kit". I haven't seen if they give you a price discount when you do, but I doubt it
For, I think, $350 you can get a reproduction steering wheel from classic industries. That is if you want to keep the original look without the sticky steering wheel.
Great video,good information, great channel. I did not mean to be negative with my last comment ,just don't really know what the significance of being the first/second/last commenter is . Thanks Ben , keep it up.
I just did mine and this definitely helped. For the back spring I used self tapper screws and it worked great. Didn't have to tap them out.
I can't thank you enough for this posting. The only thing that I had to redo was the orientation of the steering hub so that my steering wheel alignment was correct. Taping the screw holes was pretty easy and didn't hold me up too much. Thank you!
Thanks for the video, a previous owner of my 73 swapped the wheel FOR a Vega wheel. Yeah....crazy world. Now I can switch it back
Just wanted to say thanks. I was having problems with my 77 horn but after watching your video I have found the problem! Thank you.
I actually like my 76 steering wheel, granted somehow it's in near perfect condition. Thanks for the upload cuz i put the horn button/spring in wrong.
All good information to know,Thank You for educating others.
Helpful for sure. One of the top things I want to do with my 76 once I get it road worthy again.
Always love a C3 video. Just binged watched some for a second time around
An excellent video update Ben. Thanks~
The vega gt steering wheel is the best factorywheel I've ever used. Been using them since the late 70s in 7 different cars. They come in many different colors to match your interior
I don't like Corvettes but, I like your presentations. Thanks.
I’ve used many Grant steering wheel install kits over the years. None as complicated as the factory swap over you just did. If I ever own a GM car with factory telescopic wheel and want to install a nicer steering wheel I’ll definitely be watching this video again. Thanks for the straight forward info on how that all goes together and works. Merry Christmas to you and your family Ben.
This was pretty helpful to see in advance of having to take the wheel and part of the column off to replace a multi-function stalk switch...
_Happy New Year 2019 to you and your lovely wife Jasmine. Another great _*_TH-cam video_*_ Ben, lots of great content and very informative on the '76 steering wheel swap._
Great video ..I did mine four years ago and it was a mental test for sure....,,,,,.Thanks...…,,,,,, you made it look easy....
Merry Christmas to you and your family. So appreciate your content and presentation...
love the wall behind you. kinda reminds me of home.
Awesome video! Will be doing this mod in the near future. Your channel has been a great help! Thanks
Thank you, I am doing mine today and this is a big help!
HAPPY NEW YEAR BEN! Hope 2019 brings joy and happiness to you and your family!
Excellent video. Thanks Ben
Hey Ben ! Merry Christmas to you and yours! 🎅
thanks for all of your videos, Ben. My kit was not tapped either. I assumed they just forgot.
I will definitely use this video.
Hey Ben, Happy New Year! Missing you and love to see a new video soon...
Merry Christmas Ben & Jasmine!
Educational as always Benjamin, you know...I really hate that.
Merry Christmas to you and your much better half Jasmine. :)
Them steering wheels you’re calling Vega steering wheels are pretty good steering wheels. I had a 70 1/2 Camaro that had one. They might not be as prestigious as one of those aluminum spoked ones , but they work pretty well. It seems like Oldsmobile and Buick had some steering wheels that were a mixture, aluminum 4 spoke with a vinyl rim, that were a mixture of both. I used to see them at swap meets a lot.
Once again, an awesome job Ben. You and yours have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. God Bless...
One of the reasons I didn't care for the 76 Corvette. I had a co worker who's brother owned a 76. I liked the car and the steering wheel didn't bother me as much as his love for a set of white wall tires on the car. GM didn't want to spend the money necessary to tool and make a wheel just for a very limited number of vehicles. Things were pretty tight in the mid 70's. Dave McLellan was the chief engineer for the Corvette taking over from Zora in 1974. He discussed the topic of the wheel debacle in his book, Corvette from the Inside. Not sure why they changed from the 1975 steering wheel to begin with.
Not sure why the bean counters at GM didn't realize that Corvette buyers would express their displeasure at sharing a steering wheel with the lowly Vega either. I had owned two 77 Trans Am and Pontiac knew how to make cars exciting. The Trans Am dash and steering wheel remained unchanged from 70-81. I did however buy a 1980 Camaro Z28 with a crack engine block. I quickly stuffed a 400 small block in the car and lost interest in it and sold it before I even got the vehicle tagged. It had the Vega wheel. Maybe that was part of it.
Great info Ben, the vid should be helpful to anyone who wants to swap out that ugly Vega. Those horn contacts seem to always be a pain in the butt! Have a Merry Christmas, take care. -Glen
Are you putting your dirty car parts on my nice brand new towels? 😐
Will this work in my Vega too? Just Kidding, good post. Happy Holidays Ben.
Great Video Thanks..
I believe the arm rest in some the eighty corvettes where from vegas or monza too
Donald Marland LOL!!
Great video! You never disappoint. You need some sleep my friend. ;)
Just an FYI but that steering wheel was an upgrade for the Vega, but indeed common for the Camaro. Most Vegas had a cheapie interior with a basic large-pad wheel, and the Camaro seats and wheel were an expensive upgrade and that wheel was mainly for the Vega GT. I had a Vega back in the day with the upgrade interior, but still had the lowly steering wheel.
I don't understand why everyone thinks the Camaro/Corvette steering wheel is ugly. You are correct, Chevy did use them in the GT Vega, not all Vegas. Anyway, I think they look really cool in the Corvette. Ben is right about them not aging very well though. I also noticed that no one has ever replicated them. One in good condition are very hard to find and very expensive.
And that cheering wheel does get very sticky after 42 years. I definitely want to do a swap..
Steering wheel not cheering wheel.
Hey Ben FYI got a word from one of the guys about the corvette that finnegan of Mike Finnegan's garage bought, its been sold to a friend and will be on the show soon.
The silver 75?
@@TheCorvetteBen I thought it was red? but yeah that one, the one his neaubor gave him that had the seized engine block from sitting I think
as its been a very long time since its been on the show
Hot rod garage did a red 74 recently
@@TheCorvetteBen Ah I havent watched any of that stuff since they went motortrend on demand so I wouldnt know.
Very informative. Thanks!
It looks awesome.
Those steering wheels were also featured in the Chevy Cavalier when they came out.
Ever done a video on changing tge unique 77's turn signal stalk (with cruise & intermittent wipers) by chance? Haven't found one so far. Thanks~
Ben I been looking through your videos trying to find a front suspension rebuild on a c3 Corvette.. I got an 81 and the bushings tie rod ends a arms everything needs to be replaced let me know if you have a video that you did that is like that I haven't found it yet. By the way you have some great videos thank you very much for putting them on TH-cam
I have a similar column in my 31. I think out of a riv as it said buick on it . no shift lever. It was brown. I painted it black and got a bowtie emblem for it. Onluy thhing is it is not as fat as wheels today.
Very informative.
Do you have a video on changing the wiring going through the column?
No, but that is a pretty easy job
thanx for the video.
How can I purchase one of the eight steering wheel Vegas Z 28 Camaro
Email me
Benjamin.friend56@yahoo.com
Merry christmas
Steering wheels that happen in Vegas should stay in Vegas.
Well I guess if I ever get a lobotomy and a nova, there will be lots of steering wheels out there to choose from!
I'm looking for information about how to replace the signal lever. Is it a push-in and twist to remove and then install a new one? Do you have video that covers that by chance? I have a 1982.
Been debating on finding a used column vs doing this mod. Whats the pros vs the cons?
Groovy pants ✌
I just want to use a nice grant steering wheel..would it be the same procedure
Nice.
What about those peace sign pajamas..................
I think Ben left out that you have to wear pajama pants when you do this swap.
Is it possible to wrap the steering wheel in leather like you have ?
does this work with a C2 steering wheel for this? as the C2's really had some nice steering wheels.
First Ben thanks for doing a video on this wheel swap. Is this kit sold at all the Corvette stores as a 76 cheering wheel swap? Around $230 at Ecklers. And also what year cheering wheel will fit the 76 after you get this kit. Ecklers told me only a 77 to 82 would work. I have looked for a kit but I can't ever find one in stock. Any suggestions where I could buy all these parts at today? In stock? Thank you Sir. What's the chance you could do a video on those dreaded trailing arms?
Any wheel will work. 69-75 or 77-82. Just depends on what kind of look you want. I prefer the earlier wheel because they last longer and have a more old car feel. Look up column conversion
@@TheCorvetteBen I also l like the 68 to 75 steering wheel. Ecker told me not very many dealers ever have those conversion kits. The company that makes them only does it once a year. Willcox Corvette and Ecklers told me that and willcox would not let me order one. If you can tell me where I can get one without having to do a steering column swap I'd appreciate it. Also do you have a nice black steering wheel like in the video? Thanks Ben, I love your videos. I sure wish I lived closer to you. I live in Indianapolis and no one works on older Corvettes here. I found a place near Chicago I might take her to for the rear end, trailing arms and a few other things. I'm in need of a TH400 TRANSMISSION and love to get my engine rebuilt. I just bought a 350 block that's out of a 88 Corvette, 4 bolt main. I'm taking it to the machine shop in February for machining and I'm looking for some aluminum heads. Thank you Sir.
rpmorgan3@gmail.com
Instagram is, corvetteroy1976
You can buy every single one one of those items separate. You don't need to buy the "kit". I haven't seen if they give you a price discount when you do, but I doubt it
@@TheCorvetteBen thanks for putting the order numbers in the video for Corvette America. I'll make a list and order them while it's free shipping.
Can I get a amazon link for the wheel hub?
will this also work for a 1977 vette?
Any recommendations on places to find a good used steering wheel? I’ve been planning on replacing my Vega wheel this winter.
eBay, or me!
What is the price of the steering wheel in this video? How can I get in touch with you about parts? I to have a 76 Corvette...
benjamin.friend56@yahoo.com email me
They also put the four spoke in the Camaro
Do all Tilt columns Telescope or is there a kit to upgrade that?
You can't upgrade a standard column to tilt and telescope. All you can do it replace
@@TheCorvetteBen Yes but, if it tilts it also telescopes?
It either does both or nothing
For, I think, $350 you can get a reproduction steering wheel from classic industries. That is if you want to keep the original look without the sticky steering wheel.
camaromhs amen to that! Hate that feeling on my 75 project car. My last 79 had a beautiful wooden wheel.
Is the 1975 corvette steering wheel a15 inch original
Yes
They put the Vega wheel om simply because they had them left over from the Vegas.
Good Video Ben, all well and good, but how about a photo of your bride?
Threeeeeeeeeeeee!
They were also in the 1987 Chevy Cavalier. I had one and they were ugly then.
Then are you sure you're not reincarnated I believe you were an engineer for GM in the past.
first
Great video,good information, great channel.
I did not mean to be negative with my last comment ,just don't really know what the significance of being the first/second/last commenter is .
Thanks Ben , keep it up.
I’ve been trying to find information about this but my 76 don’t have tilt
What steering wheel did you use?
Hey looking from a Switch the operates the turn signal headlights in wipers for 177 corvette Please contact me back
Second, I don't know why I care?