[69goatboy]

I'm sure many have been down this road.
I've heard/read that the Grant wheels themselves are decent items, but the GM adapter kits are garbage and require rework to fit correctly. Is this still true? Are there better adapter kits out there?

Looking at this one (offered by our host) for my 69 GTO (black interior):

https://secure.amesperf.com/qilan/De...A&web_access=Y

The description says it includes "installation hardware". Since this is a Grant wheel, can I assume it's the same adapter kit that many seem to have problems with?

(I would contact the "Tech Help" on the Ames site, but it's still under construction.)

What other aftermarket wheels would look "right" for my car?

I like the Grant 1178 and the 1170 wheels also, but the wheel listed above has a similar look for about $50 less.

[Darth Menace]

I too was wondering that. I don't like my current steering wheel and grant steering wheels seem to have a good name at a decent price. I am leaning more towards the wood finish steering wheel though. I can't help about the installation of this though...this will be my first as well.

[north]

If the rest of the car is stock a factory or repro wood wheel may be worth the extra money down the road. What do those Grant wheels cost? The repro is about 400-500 I think?

[69goatboy]

Originally Posted by north

If the rest of the car is stock a factory or repro wood wheel may be worth the extra money down the road. What do those Grant wheels cost? The repro is about 400-500 I think?

My car is being put back together by a reputable shop and should be on the road by May. However, my car is far from original, as the body, frame and half the susp parts are about all that is left of the original makeup. It's being built as a decent driver, with aftermarket stuff in a few areas. A purist will be able to write a long laundry list of incorrect items. Car was originally Champagne/Champagne, std 400, auto, a/c, deluxe int, with wire wheels. Car will be roller 400, RA I heads, x pipe, black int, 4sp, and painted CR with a spoiler and hood tach (but no judge decals). Plus the biggest rubber that will fit. IOW's, something that would look at home in the 80's.

The kit I linked to is $135, the 1170 and 1178 wheels are about $175 plus $35 or so for the adapter kits.

Thanks for replying. I know there was someone on this board that documented their issues with the Grant kits, but I can't remember who. A forum search didn't yield anything useful.

[north]

For your situation the grant is probably your best bet. Unless you find a worn but undamaged original for similar money.

Can't help you with adapter issues but there are so many GTO's on eBay with them it can't be a big problem to get it on.

[JSPONT]

I bought an adapter from Forever sharp steering wheels for my 70 Lemans. I was way better than the momo adapter I had, it does not look so cheap. They have a big steering wheel choice too.

[popdella63]

Buy the factory wood wheel, either refurb or repro...you'll eventually regret the Grant junk. There's a reason they're so cheap!

I've successfully fixed cracked OEM wood wheels with plastic filler, then took a wirebrush to it to add "grain" then a quick shot of black wiped of lightly then wooodstain with poly to your color choice.

You can buy the bare OEM for around 125 shipped off ebay, 20 bucks and elbow grease and its all your's! Some repro horn parts and you're all in for far less than 250.00!!

My opinion. OR I'll sell you one

[Darth Menace]

I like the look of this one. Everything coming in a set vs me trying to piece things together sounds good to me.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-1969-1993...3af143&vxp=mtr

[popdella63]

Whatever your preference is that controls your wallet. OEM stuff is generally a better car investment than retro-aftermarket BUT YOU have to be happy.

Side note on the original topic: Grant's mounting kit is not penultimate (aluminum) and can fail (bend/break) under adverse conditions. Upgrade to steel!

[69goatboy]

Originally Posted by Darth Menace

I like the look of this one. Everything coming in a set vs me trying to piece things together sounds good to me.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-1969-1993...3af143&vxp=mtr

That's the exact one that Ames is selling and the one in my link, for $10 less than the eBay one.

If the Grant piece is alum. I'll simply have one made out of steel. I'm a mech engineer with a mach shop full of car guys at my disposal. It might cost me a lunch, though.

[gtohunter]

Wheel went on, no problems with adapter kit. I have the original wheel but i liked the grant.

[FirebirdHank]

There are so many Pontiacs out there with Grant wheels on that they are starting to look correct.
I like mine, after the mounting glitches.

[Darth Menace]

Originally Posted by 69goatboy

That's the exact one that Ames is selling and the one in my link, for $10 less than the eBay one.

If the Grant piece is alum. I'll simply have one made out of steel. I'm a mech engineer with a mach shop full of car guys at my disposal. It might cost me a lunch, though.

Oh, I didn't notice the Ames one came with the mounting kit. My bad. I do like the look of those for sure, but it appears going to wood is quite a jump in coin. Looks pretty bad as in my opinion. Anything beats the steering wheel that is on it now, in my opinion

[68pongto]

Grant wheels are great if you don't want a horn or want the cancel cam to work properly!

[Darth Menace]

Originally Posted by 68pongto

Grant wheels are great if you don't want a horn or want the cancel cam to work properly!

I want a horn...cancel cam isn't a big deal to me, I am used to cancelling it with my Caravan.

I thought you could get a horn kit for them though

[69goatboy]

Originally Posted by FirebirdHank

There are so many Pontiacs out there with Grant wheels on that they are starting to look correct.
I like mine, after the mounting glitches.

What sort of glitches did you have?

[FirebirdHank]

Originally Posted by 69goatboy

What sort of glitches did you have?

Same as others have mentioned, cancel cam and horn function. When I bought my first one the salesman gave me a mounting kit and said this is the one you need. The wheel could be mounted just fine but the cancel cam was in the wrong position. Modified the aluminum mounting piece and got it to work. The horn just took a lot of fiddeling around to get it to work but I just kept playing with it and finally got it to work. It has been mounted now for4 or 5 years with no more issues.