ferretfixer Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 Jeep aficionados! There are two 'Standard' steering wheels available for Jeeps as far as I am aware! The thin spoked wartime pattern, & the thick Postwar Hotchkiss pattern. Can anyone tell me please. Are the diameters different at all? IE: Is a Wartime wheel slightly smaller, Than a Hotcho version? If so, by how much? Thanks in advance. Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 there are 3 basic ww2 versions , first the black bakelite version , 2nd olive drab plastic one , third tin spoked olive drab version , post war Hotchkiss is fatter in the center , but then there is an olive drab M38 version as well . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 I think the question relates to the distance between outside of the steering wheel to the seat back !! 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted January 1, 2020 Author Share Posted January 1, 2020 13 hours ago, Richard Farrant said: I think the question relates to the distance between outside of the steering wheel to the seat back !! 😉 Sort of Richard. I would very much like to know the width of a Thin Spoked wheel Diameter. IE: Edge to edge External Diameter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted January 1, 2020 Author Share Posted January 1, 2020 13 hours ago, Maurice said: there are 3 basic ww2 versions , first the black bakelite version , 2nd olive drab plastic one , third tin spoked olive drab version , post war Hotchkiss is fatter in the center , but then there is an olive drab M38 version as well . Yes, but WHICH is the SMALLEST diameter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Johns Posted January 1, 2020 Share Posted January 1, 2020 (edited) All types of Jeep steering wheels are similar diameter Edited January 1, 2020 by Nick Johns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted January 1, 2020 Author Share Posted January 1, 2020 3 hours ago, Nick Johns said: All types of Jeep steering wheels are similar diameter So could you explain why there is a roumer that the Wartime Wheels are smaller at all Nick? I have heard this a few times in the past. & it is only NOW that I need to know the exact diameter! 😏 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted January 1, 2020 Share Posted January 1, 2020 I can measure the diameter of my 42 GPWs Black Shellar steering wheel if it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted January 2, 2020 Author Share Posted January 2, 2020 9 hours ago, Chris Hall said: I can measure the diameter of my 42 GPWs Black Shellar steering wheel if it helps. Hi Chris, Is it a Thin Spoked WARTIME variant at all? I have a Black Hotcho Wheel on Mine at present. (Thick Spoked) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 No it’s the earlier 1942 black Shellar wheel. As mentioned above, the 1941 and early 42 Willys MB and the Jan to April 42 VEP Ford GPWs has a black Shellar plastic steering wheel. The the early to mid 42 Jeeps had a mixture of Green Shellar steering wheels thrown in. Next was the thin steering wheel from probably mid 42 to cease production. is yours definitely a Hotchkiss? Just be sure it’s not an original Shellar as they are scarce in good condition and are valued way above a thin spoke. a check on line suggests these are 17.2 to 17.3” in diameter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 Here’s a photo of a correct 1942 Black thick spoke Shellar steering wheel. if yours says SHELLAR on the back of one of the spokes and has a solid boss on the top, then it will likely be original. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted January 2, 2020 Author Share Posted January 2, 2020 Thanks Chris, I will have to look underneath mine. It is a Matt Black Finish, So most likely Hotcho? My Jeep is a '45 Willys. But Magnificently refurbished to Hotcho specs, & brings all of that Marques Benifit's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian43 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Mike, My thin spoke steering wheel measures 17" 1/8 diameter. Hope this helps. Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted January 5, 2020 Author Share Posted January 5, 2020 Ian, That's great! Thank you VERY Much indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 It would appear the thin spoke wheel is .075” narrower in diameter suggesting the plastic is 0.0375” thick over the steel core (I’m surmising there is a steel core and it’s not solid plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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