There are substantial benefits to aftermarket steering wheels in certain cars. Still, most drivers never even consider removing the steering wheel that came with their vehicle and replacing it with another one. The plastic steering wheel of a historic automobile doesn’t seem right next to the wood and chrome elegance. Even in performance vehicles, manufacturers often choose the simple solution rather than offering a more helpful steering wheel by adding a grippier fabric to the original one.
Changing a steering wheel’s materials, thickness, and diameter for track days, off-roading, and other enthusiast uses might improve a driver’s ability to get the most out of a vehicle. Many aftermarket wheels include fast-release mechanisms that enable the wheel removal for more straightforward entry and exit or more adaptability. In earlier sports vehicles like Alfa Romeo Spiders, Austin-Healeys, or the well-known Japanese Kei cars and trucks, the ability to remove the steering wheel may also act as an anti-theft mechanism, and some aftermarket wheels assist in freeing up room in the cramped interiors.
An airbag cannot be installed on any of the wheels on this list for safety reasons. All vehicles built after 1999 are required by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to have working airbags. Check your local laws before altering your steering wheel since states have different regulations regarding removing airbags, which were standard equipment on the majority of 1990s vehicles and even some 1980s vehicles. The wheels suggested here are for use in cars exclusively on a racetrack or without a steering wheel-mounted airbag when they leave the factory.
Regarding new and old technology, remember that you won’t find the steering wheel controls for the radio, cruise control, or other features here. We’ve selected five outstanding aftermarket steering wheels for diverse budgets and uses.
Momo Heritage Grand Prix
Best Retro Steering Wheel
Momo is a well-known brand among steering wheel manufacturers, and the Heritage Indy is a lovely, straightforward design that pays homage to the company’s origins. Gianpiero Moretti, an Italian racing driver, started the business in 1964, and this wheel would fit in nicely with any of the slick sports cars of the time. Genuine mahogany with a glossy finish, finger grooves on the rear of the wheel, and drilled aluminium spokes make up the construction of the wheel. Although the Heritage Grand Prix is not inexpensive, you will undoubtedly get a high-quality item and a work of art in exchange.
Cons & Pros
- High calibre
- And the attractive design seems old.
- Simple to install
- Expensive
- Some cars need adaptors for installation.
- The additional hub is required to maintain horn functionality.
Deep Corn Nardi
Best Steering Wheel For Drifting
Another famous manufacturer of steering wheels is Nardi. Its origins may be traced back to the Italian racer Enrico Nardi, who produced racing automobiles before and after World War II. After the war, the company’s emphasis progressively switched to performance components, and in 1951, Nardi steering wheels were released. The spokes of the Nardi Deep Corn wheel dive inward to the hub from the rim of the revolution, forming a deep cone. Drifters use this design to prevent spokes from contacting their fingertips when the steering wheel re-centres after a slide. The rim is designed to keep horn control from the hub and may be coated in leather or suede.
Cons & Pros
- high caliber
- Maintains the centre of the wheel horn function.
- The deep design protects fingers when the wheel re-centers after a drift.
- costly compared to rival products
- Horn functionality requires an additional adaptor.
- The wheel attachment screws are included with the separately delivered adaptor.
Grant 8511 Gripper Series
Outstanding Off-Road Steering Wheel
The Grant Gripper Series’ textured vinyl rim coating comes true to its name. That material offers more extended wear and endurance in the harsh, dusty circumstances associated with off-roading than genuine leather. A plus for Jeep owners: a hub with the accurate Jeep logo is available (at an additional cost). If you want a functioning horn button, you must pay extra for an installation kit.
Cons & Pros
- affordable price
- Extremes of heat, cold, sun, and dust should not be able to break down materials.
- Grippy materials are advantageous for driving off-road.
- Extra fees apply for the operational horn button and installation kit.
- simple appearance
- Sales literature implies that the horn button is standard, although it is not.
Classic 12-inch steering wheel from Speedway Motors
Best Budget Steering Wheel
It’s difficult to top the Speedway Motors 12-inch for that vintage American muscle or 1970s street machine appearance. The rim is smooth, basic black, hefty, and rubber-wrapped. Three sizable holes have been bored into each of the three chrome spokes. Users claim that despite the product’s startlingly cheap price, it feels and looks more premium. The converter kit to convert the chrome hub into a functional horn costs extra, just as on other inexpensive wheels. Little-diameter wheels take more steering effort, particularly in cars without power steering, so bear that in mind if you have a tiny automobile like an Austin-Healey Sprite.
Cons & Pros
- Low cost
- Strong and enduring
- classical style
- The horn button retainer must be bought individually and will cost more due to its small diameter.
- The 1970s will not mesh with more modern cars or some older ones.
NRG Innovations ST-006BK-Y
Best Performance Mid-Priced Steering Wheel
NRG Innovations is one of the more recent producers, founded by fans and racing drivers in 2003. Its wheels are designed for track day warriors and are performance-oriented. The ST-006BK-Y is an aluminum device with a horn button and grippy leather wrapping. Some cars may need a hub adapter, which can be purchased separately, and a fast-release adaptor. Because of this, some drivers have had to wait to install the wheel that came first. However, this is common with many aftermarket performance components. Sewn into the leather, the top of the wheel’s yellow pointer line has further drawn criticism for being off-center.
Cons & Pros
- Affordable price
- Simple to install,
- retains the horn function of the steering wheel
- Some consumers said they had to wait for the hub adaptor separately.
- Some users complain that their horns don’t always function.
- The wheel’s yellow line could not be precisely in the middle.
Verdict
When deciding which steering wheels to recommend, we considered performance, price, and value as the most widely available models to customers in the United States. We also took into account a variety of end-user ratings and assessments made by other testers. By examining the quality and aesthetics of premium models, we also considered real-world experiences with some of the companies and goods. In analyzing wheels for racing and off-roading, functionality was crucial.
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Question and Answer
How can I choose a steering wheel that is aftermarket?
The ideal wheels for a specific vehicle and purpose must be considered. Examples include improving the appearance of a vintage automobile, racing, and off-roading. Quality, the manufacturer’s standing, the wheel’s look in the car, and price come next.
Do steering wheels from aftermarket manufacturers differ?
Yes. It goes beyond mere aesthetics. The driving experience may be significantly altered by altering a steering wheel’s diameter, design, and materials. Additionally, many aftermarket steering wheels include fast releases that simplify taking the steering wheel off. That may be useful for getting into and out of a cramped cockpit and acting as the vehicle’s anti-theft system.
Which wheel size is ideal for drifting?
The most popular wheel sizes are 330 to 350 mm. Drifters prefer a center hub that is deeply recessed to prevent the wheel spokes from getting in the way when the wheel centers. Remember that smaller wheels take more significant steering effort to turn in vehicles without power steering.
Is it permissible to swap out an airbag-equipped steering wheel for one without one?
All vehicles built after 1999 are required by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to have working airbags. Most automobiles in the 1990s featured airbags, and some models from the late 1980s had as well. Before upgrading to an aftermarket wheel, please verify with your local DMV or highway police since state rules on their removal differ.
Will all steering wheels fit all cars?
No. The manufacturer’s specs should be reviewed. For usage in certain cars, some wheels need adapter kits. A few wheel-vehicle combinations cannot be used together due to size, design, or adaptor availability differences.
