Is it possible to install a late model Golf steering wheel on a 74 beetle steering column?

Hi Guys

Is it possible to install a late model steering wheel from a Golf GTI on a beetle with a 74 steering column?

If not, then what aftermarket wheels are there that will direct fit and work etc that look similar to late model steering wheels?

If there a rule of thumb regarding using "flat" vs "dished" wheels?

Thanks Regards
Greg

You can fit an early model golf steering wheel onto an 74 bug according to this

http://au.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Momo-Steering-Wheel-Boss-Small-Spline-74-87-16mm-Spline-WC400MOSSB_act_shop.product_pID_45287508.htm?crumbStartPage=1

Probably not a late model wheel though.

Thanks Cam070

I found with the flat wheels I had very little clearance between the wheel and the indicator stalks. This was on my 70 model and 65 models. Real pain in the bum when you are doing tight 3 point turns or manoeuvring the car round in a carpark or something. I prefer the dished. Having said that I now recall the 74 had a flat wheel anyway so I guess all of the above may be null if the boss allows you to stand the wheel back far enough.

regards

Old Hutcho

If it's a late model wheel with the "big" splines, and your steering shaft is '74-up with the "small" splines, then VW used this as an OEM part to adapt the two..........
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=vw+191+419+514a&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=j6iVU4u2IMO1kgXE-oGgBg&ved=0CDMQsAQ&biw=1920&bih=934

Thanks again to Joel the Superbug king who told me. 👍

Thanks guys

Regards
Greg

Hi Modnrod,

Any idea where to get these adapters?

Regards
Greg

A mate made a Mk 3 golf column work and fit on his 65 beetle.

So if you want the airbag to deploy, you just touch a wire to live and one to earth immediately before impact? Shit that takes reflexes! 😂 Just kidding folks

regards

Old Hutcho

Hi Hutcho,

Thanks for your input 🙂 🙂

I want just the wheel and not the Air bags.

Regards
Greg

I have 77 GTI fitted to my 65 bug

Hi VW54

Can you please post a photo?

Any tips?

Regards
Greg

yep lots of work

removing old bolt area and weld in new flat sheet section, so the column fits flat against body work under dash

Hi guys,

I've gotten myself a wheel and adapter and the only problem is the wiper lever/stalk rubs against the wheel stopping it from fitting all the way down.

Any tips on modifying the wiper stalk or is there a stalk from another model that is "straighter" and will fit?

Thanks
Regards
Greg

I have a '68 with a sports steering wheel fitted which is flat, so I modified the indicator lever which I think is a similar shape to the later model wiper stalk. . It doesn't look real pretty but it works and has held up for years. The lever comes out from the steering column parallel to the dash, then is angled toward the driver then goes parallel to the dash again. I cut the lever through the middle of the angled part right through then overlapped the cut off piece on top of the stub from the steering column. I filed both flat and joined them with two 3mm stainless bolts and nylocs. I did this mod with the lever still on the car so it was quite fiddly cutting, filing and drilling so close to the column and the dash. So it can be done but I would be looking for a different model straighter lever if possible.
Cheers......Wayne

I bought a brand new set of switchgear from Antonio Trejo off TheSamba.
You can see it on the LH side of the parts here off the Ultima model........

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=614804

Trial-fitted perfect on my '73 with an '84 GTi wheel (no pics though, it's in bits, sorry), with plenty of clearance..

Thanks mate

Is it a straight plug and play replacement?

Regards
Greg

Aahhmmmm, aahhh........
dunno!

Haven't checked that bit yet, I just assumed the plugs were the same! 😀
It looks like it, but I'm not 100%. Can check later if you like when I get home.

The plugs are quite different on them and so is the wiring, they dont use a relay to switch between high and low baem, the switch itself does it.

just check the mounting points of the Golf switches, they normally use the 3 screw steering column not the beetle 4 screw ones.

Gday Joel, OK will do.
I'm an electrickery tech, so I figured I'd just make it all work when I re-wire the thing anyway, but I will check tonight and get back to you Greg.
Regards,
Dave

Thanks Dave and Joel

Joel, am I correct in thinking that in another post somewhere regarding this topic you mentioned something about a T25 wiper arm being able to be fitted?? V

Regards
Greg

Gday Greg.

The next time I say that something SHOULD fit, make sure you listen to Joel! 😂

I never doubted you Joel, which is why I took pics to prove you right.
Firstly, my '73 is 4-bolt mount........


........and the wiring plugs look like this.........


The Mexican Beetle is 3-bolt mount and it looks like this.......


.........with these wiring plugs........


But WAIT! 😀
The top 2 bolts line up. They also line up with the later Beetle fine-spline steering column I have (the one I was told would line up, and make the Mex switchgear a bolt-in, which is why I bought them. 😢 ). So, I'm fairly confident I could do a few mods and make the two work together, but having seen both set ups, I honestly would only do that if I had no other choice. Cutting the wiper arm and taking out an inch would be MUCH more betterer, and if the T25 arms fit, then I'm up for one as well.

Just as a side note, you're probably better off doing that anyway, the Mexican switchgear uses very, very soft plastics (read, probably easily broken). I'd look elsewhere.

Mate,

You're a legend!

Thanks for going to this much trouble...

Hopefully Joel will get back to us regarding the T25 arms....

If I figure any other option out I'll let you know.

Have a good weekend!

Regards
Greg

Lateral wrote:Have a good weekend!

Regards
Greg

I will. You too.
Dave

Hi Dave

I spent today hunting around and pulling stuff apart...always fun on a cold day in Sydney!

Anyway, I'm pretty sure I got the T25 thing wrong and it was in fact T2 Bay Window that should fit.

I'm trying to track down a set and will let you know.

Regards
Greg

Sorry guys, only just got home from Valla.

I was looking at some T25 switches at the swap meet (they have that same 3 mounting screw layout) and whilst they would work with a 3 screw steering column they are pretty long stalks to suit the Kenworth truck sized T25 steering wheel and would be too long for a bug I reckon.

Hi Joel,

What about a T2?

Regards
Greg

if you are talking late bay window Kombi, yes those can be used and are the easiest way around the wiper switch hitting the steering wheel.

They are the same as a Beetle one but have a much straighter stalk
I haven't done it myself but I worked on a friends Superbug which had one fitted.
Only trouble is its about the only wiper switch that isnt sold new to the best of my knowledge and used ones can be a bit of a crap shoot.

Hey guys call me a dodgy f$&k but I know from experience that the L bug indicator stalk can be carefully heated and bent - local vw shop did this on my 73 many moons ago. Stops you taking the skin off your knuckles.....

Thanks Guys

Hi Joel

The Stevens VW Spares site is being detected as a possible Malware site by my Malwarebytes software...

Regards
Greg