Vannin' Community and Forums Forums Chevy General Discussion Steering wheel / shifter dress up

Anyone changed out steering wheel or gear lever on a G series? Change the whole lever or put a knob on the stock stick? Any link recommendations on wheels or nice looking levers would also help

Yeah, the wheel, but not the shifter.

Changing the steering wheel is the same on all those 70s, 80s, and early 90s GM vehicles.
Once you get the wheel and the correct adapter, it's pretty straight forward.
Popping the stock wheel off the shaft with a puller is the hardest part.
The horn can sometimes be finicky, but I've had pretty good luck getting them to work correctly.

I put a Grant #969 on my van and am really happy with it.
It has similar dimensions to the stock wheel, so the steering wheel, turn signal lever, and shifter stayed in the same orientation as stock.

Changing the wheel out is pretty easy. I have done a few over the years. Most parts stores have the puller that they loan out. Check out Big Ron's wheels for some really awesome custom wheels. As far as the shifter goes, I have never done one.

I've seen several shifters changed, but I don't believe the shifter is threaded and the stock knob is glued on. It might need some heat to loosen up.

I put the lever in the vice and twist the knob off with channel locks,pipe wrench or vice grips.
Make your new knob fit and glue it on with epoxy.
You get the lever off by pushing up the pin at the bottom of the lever. Tape off the lever so you don't get epoxy when it sqeezes out the knob when you shove it on.

I threaded the end of the shifter lever with a die and fitted a skateboard wheel and bearings.
I also remade an old starcraft steering wheel into an octagon one with skateboard laminate inlays.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/53963195@N08/shares/9edQT0

I used a Modelo beer tap handle.

for shift knobs try twistedshifterz.com. Used them on all three of my vans, with the install kit they went on without a problem, One is a 76 chevy. They have a large selection.

I'm more of a do it your self guy myself. More original that way.

That big Ron's pentagram wheel is super dope. Lot of cool ideas for the shifter thanks ya'll! Some of the twisted shifters are cool if you do a search for van. Beer tap might fit the 87 vibe. Already got some cool local tap handles kicking around the house too. I'll have to see what'll look good in there.