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TR4/4A Opinions on a TR4 steering wheel replacement?

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TR4nut

TR4nut

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Hi-

I've had my TR4 on the road for a couple of months now. Enjoying every minute of it, but I noticed that the stock 16" steering wheel is just too big for my legs - I never remember having the problem with my old TR6.

I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on a 15" 14"? wood rim wheel. Any one have strong opinions on Moto Lita versus Tourist Trophy? Any other good alternatives.

I tried to go cheap and bought an old Grant wheel off ebay. Hub works but it is too steeply dished and well, pretty cheap looking so if you need one let me know or scan ebay again in the coming months..

Thanks,
Randy
 
Randy, I have a Moto Lita and I'm happy with it. I'm not familiar with the TT wheel. One thing you'll want to consider is switching the water temp and fuel guage locations as the more important one (water temp) will be blocked by the steering wheel spoke configuration on the replacement wheel.
Bob
 
Randy,
Consider that when you decrease the diameter of the steering wheel, you will distinctly increase the amount of effort it takes to steer at low speed and parking. Great way to keep the wife from wanting to drive the car. I would stay away from a 14" steering wheel. A real bear to handle.

Bill
 
Thanks for the comments. I put 14" as a question mark because I thought that was probably wishful thinking on my part. I had no trouble with my TR6, which I think is 15" - hopefully that will give me the leg room I need. Right now my left leg is pretty much crammed between the door and the wheel.

Tourist trophy looks to be a pretty close knockoff to Mota lita, I think it can use the same steering boss at least from Moss's website. After ebay though, I'm not sure it will pay to go the cheap route.

Randy
 
Keep in mind that any steering wheel from any TR4-6, or Herald/Vitesse, or GT6, or any Spitfire through 1976, will fit. I seem to recall that later TR6 wheels were smaller, and Spitfire steering wheels got progressively smaller through the years (some Mk3 wheels only 15" and some Spitfire 1500 wheels as small as 13"). And they're easy to change, of course. It might be worth trying to find some fellow Triumph owners locally and see if you couldn't literally "swap wheels" to see what you might like!
 
I replaced the wheel in my TR4 years ago with one from the Roadster Factory. Part no. 313150. I reused the horn push assembly, brush and clip. I did not get the sorround pad, although it wouldn't hurt to do so (I like my car to look a little on the "raw" side). I think the wheel is a direct replacement for the TR6 no hubs are needed. Spokes are gray and rim is black; very basic like the car. Diameter is 14 1/2 inches.
 
Hi,

I've been using a late TR250 or early TR6 steering wheel on my TR4 ever since the original "banjo" broke in an accident (1978?). The TR250/6 wheel is 15" dia. with minimal dish (less than 1") and has always seemed about right to me. Now, even though it's all metal and an improvement over the plastic/bakelite of the original, the TR250/6 wheel can get warped and bent too. The spokes and outer rim are aluminum and the grip area might be a little smaller cross section than modern standards (actually, the grip is about the same as the orginal). I bought a spare off eBay a few months ago and sometime plan to weld up a new outer rim made from something a little sturdier, and possibly take the remaining dish out of the spokes at the same time.

Using this wheel means using its hub as well, but that hub mates up very nicely with the original TR4 steering column in my car. The horn button is the same as original on TR4, too. Photos at https://www.triumphowners.com/640
if you want to see the steering wheel as it is temporarily installed on my "work in progress".

I think this TR250/6 steering wheel originally had silver spokes (sort of a brushed natural aluminum), but I've also seen it painted, anodized or powder-coated with low gloss black and it looks good that way too, IMHO.

Over the years I've seen a number of great looking wooden steering wheels on various TRs. They especially look superb if the car is fitted with a matching wood dash.

But, please note that most racing organizations, vintage and otherwise, strictly prohibit wood-rimmed steering wheels of any type. This might be something to consider even if you never plan to take the car racing, since safety is the reason they are prohibited by those sanctioning bodies. In the past there have been accidents with injuries that resulted from broken wooden steering wheels. It's probably a relatively minor risk for a street car, but still something I think is worth mentioning.

Have fun shopping!
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Alan-

That steering wheel you have does look nice - I had the same one on my 69 TR6. Not that it matters, but I believe they came originally painted, mine was anyway. I think I like the polished look better. Hang on to that surround pad, it is unique to that wheel so they are likely scarcer than average.

Randy
 
My banjo wheel was broken on my TR4A when I bought it. I picked up a used TR6 wheel from a British car restorer for 20 bucks , this allowed me to move the car. When I restored my interior to it's original glory I cleaned up the wheel, painted it wrinkle black and fitted a leather wheel glove, it looked good and drove it like that last summer. recently I was fortunate enough to pick up a brand new, still in box, TT wheel and hub and installed it this weekend. I think it looks great. As for the wheel I removed I like it so much I am switching it out with the one currently on my TR6.

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Just a quick thought on your steering wheel problem. Would you consider moving the wheel back towards you? The column is adjustable, and moving it back an inch really gives you more knee room. I was always banging the wheel when I autocrossed and moving it back helped. Of course if you like the classic "Sterling Moss" driving position, this may be right for you.
 
Good idea! I had been thinking of moving the wheel up but I didn't have much play in that direction. Didn't look on the steering linkage to see how much play I have backward, it might help.

Thanks!
Randy
 
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