Extend Steering Wheel Column?

Oppressa Officially Full-On Dubber

367 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 15 Apr 2009, 5:56 pm

#707100

I'm after the easiest way to make more room between my steering wheel and the dash.

I plan on buying a head unit with a fold out 7 inch screen however the steering wheel would block it from coming out?

I have been told I can either get a 'dish' steering wheel (but I'd rather not change steering wheels) or get a new 'boss' which sits behind the steering wheel.

How easy would option 2 be? Are they easily available to buy? If so, from where?

Any other ideas?

1971 VW Beetle
Currently being restored - click here

General_Failure Use your head, don't abuse it!

1,036 posts · joined Jun 2004 · 16 Apr 2009, 9:56 pm

#707370

why not do a glovebox mount stereo / head unit? just don't pop the screen out with the glovebox closed.

Beyond that, yeah a boss and 'racing' wheel _may_ give you enough clearance but usually they only shift the steering wheel a smidge back.

If at first you don't succeed. Build, build again.
Vehicle: 1975 Special order delivery walkthrough panel based LCA pop-top camper. Motor: Nippon 1.8L Single port Wasserboxer, Transmission: 3 rib 002.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 16 Apr 2009, 10:48 pm

#707384

Oppressa wrote:I'm after the easiest way to make more room between my steering wheel and the dash.

I plan on buying a head unit with a fold out 7 inch screen however the steering wheel would block it from coming out?

I have been told I can either get a 'dish' steering wheel (but I'd rather not change steering wheels) or get a new 'boss' which sits behind the steering wheel.

How easy would option 2 be? Are they easily available to buy? If so, from where?

Any other ideas?

Yes, a boss maybe the way to go..
depends on what steering wheel You are using??
VW or an aftermarket??

A boss is usually 50 or 75mm thick...

the idea of a steering wheel boss is - to fit a non genuine steering wheel.. the boss will fit on to the original steering column... splines on VWs.. held on with large nut
then there are screw holes on the top...

Now, its common for bosses to be too short for a beetle non genuine steering wheel... the wheel is too close to the blinker switch arm...
so, an extra spacer the same size as the Boss is needed..
someone on here May be able to make you one..??

Give Mick motors or Vintage Vee dub supplies a phone call .. they should be able to help You...

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Oppressa Officially Full-On Dubber

367 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 21 Apr 2009, 8:49 pm

#708292

Thanks for the replies. Ended up going for simply a smaller Momo steering wheel (already have a Momo fitted). I've measured and it will work.

Going from 350mm to a 280mm Team wheel:
http://www.momo.it/products.php?id_cat=2&id_subcat=3&id_product=36&l=en

FYI I got this reply from Vintage Vee-Dub:
You might be best to take the steering wheel and the boss kit to a machine shop and get them to machine up a spacer which fits in between the wheel and the original boss. We don’t keep much in the way of sports steering wheels anymore due to you being able to purchase them so cheaply from general automotive shops these days.
Sorry we couldn’t be of any help to you. If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us.

1971 VW Beetle
Currently being restored - click here