Smaller Steering Wheel in a 57

[BPoland858]

I have been in love with this car for quite a while. However, It is not made for a person of size. I am 6'4", and weigh about 250, and not being able to enjoy the car is NOT an option, neither is a diet. How easy would it be to put a smaller steering wheel on for general cruising, and still be able to install the original for shows? My Lil' Bird will never be in a concourse (sp) show, although, it is an original restored car. Now the other thing I could / would like to do is to move the seat tracks back as far as I can without interfering with the soft top. It has the power seat (not the select-o-matic version) I have not been able to look at the car, since it is in route from Florida. But I remember the last time I drove it, the steering wheel was pulled out all the way (I didn't know it was adjustable), and even with the saet all the way back, it was very uncomfortable.
So I guess I'm looking for anything I can do to make it more tolerable for me. Smaller steering wheel, move the seat back, maybe even change the angle of the seat back. I also need to install seatbelts. they are not legally required but they are by me. They saved my life as a kid, so they are a must.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[DreemKiller]

Seatbelts should be no problem: I've had lap belts on my 56 for decades. I don't know about shoulder belts, though. I've never seen anything about them.
As far as a smaller steering wheel: I've seen ads in the Early Bird magazine (the publication of Classic Thunderbird Club International) for smaller, non-original steering wheels, as well as tilt steering wheel installations. I'll try to remember to look this evening when I get home and get you more information about those.
I don't know how easy it would be to switch between these steering wheels and the original would be, though.

 

[BPoland858]

I want to try and keep it as original as possible, but the steering wheel may be an area where a temporary change would be beneficial for my comfort. A smaller wheel will instantly give me more room for my legs. I know that there isn't an easy/quick way to perform the swap, but if I decided to enter the car in a show, I would go through the hassle of reinstalling the original steering wheel. As for the seat belts, I will look around and find some NOS belts to install. I know that this is the begining of a learning process, and remembering what it was like before all the computer controlled, self diagnosing, emmissions laden engines of today. The throaty rumble of a V8, instead of the high piched whine of a foreign import. atriot

 

[gbhrps]

Seat belts were an option on all 3 years of the little birds. The belts (repos) are available from most of the TBird suppliers in all colours to match the interior. The problem is finding original mounting bars. They are available on eBay from time to time, as I purchased as set just last year. Not cheap, but what on these cars is.

As far as the seats are concerned, your best bet may be to remove the seat from the power seat frame, and slide it back on the frame an inch or two to get the clearance you require. Obviously that will require some fashioning of fasteners of the seat to the frame, and careful measuring to see that the seatback will clear the back top panel that holds the curtain over the convertible top. Moving the seat back on the frame will save having to fashion new anchor points for the two power seat motors and all of the hassles involved. Another plus will be that everything will still look stock, particularly if you power the seat forward somewhat just for those judging events.

As for the steering wheel, man that's a tough one. I'm 6' 3" and 200 lbs and I find that I have to back into the car and place my behind on the seat, and then swing my legs under the wheel. I honestly can't recall where I have the steering wheel length set at, as the car is in storage for the winter. You may have hit upon your answer by changing the wheel. I'd check into seeing if there is a quick release steering wheel assembly (much like the Nascar guys use) that can be released with the push of a button. There may be some way to adapt it to the TBird steering shaft and still hide the button. The trick will be trying to get the horn setup to still work. Good Luck.

 

[DreemKiller]

Steering Wheel

So I looked up the ad about steering wheels:
Flaming River Steering Components
I can't vouch for the products, this is just an FYI. They don't appear to offer steering wheels, but they do offer a couple of varieties of tilt steering columns.

 

[BPoland858]

Since the car is so old, none of the aftermarket steering wheel manufacturers application charts go back far enough to show what will fit on the T-Bird. Does anyone know if a "Universal" would fit. As I said before, I'm hoping to go with a slightly smaller wheel, than the stock one. A 14 inch would give me some much needed leg room. I would retain the stock wheel, in case I wanted to put the car in a show, I could put it back on while prepping the car for the show. It would not be a frequent swap. I love the car, I just need a little more room.

 

[Insane 1]

I have a 56 that I just inherited, and the sterring wheel is going to be 1 of my 1'st things I do. You may want to contact these guys as they can make one smaller, but kinda pricey.

.: PearlCraft Steering Wheels :.

 

[BPoland858]

It looks like they simply re-finsh your steering wheel. Since I want to put a smaller wheel on mine for normal occasions, I don't think they would fit my needs.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[Insane 1]

It looks like they simply re-finsh your steering wheel. Since I want to put a smaller wheel on mine for normal occasions, I don't think they would fit my needs.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

Look under the modified gallery they can take your stock wheel and downsize to say a 15".

This is what I was refering...downsizing the stock wheel, but still look like a factory wheel. This is what I'll be doing. I doubt these guys will do mine because of the price, and I have the ability to do the work myself, but thought it might be an option for others.