 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > What is achieved by changing steering wheel? |
 
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| bm52 Member Since: 04 Apr 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 2189   
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For us long limbed people much needed elbow room
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7th Jan 2017 7:20pm |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069 
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Security layer when used with a removable boss
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7th Jan 2017 7:37pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 19535
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And asthetics mainly, the look and feel. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧
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7th Jan 2017 7:38pm |
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| gilarion Member Since: 05 Dec 2013 Location: Wales Posts: 5084  
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In my opinion it handles better with a smaller steering wheel, particularly on winding country lanes. Also one thing I immediately noticed when i changed mine is you do not have to be constantly moving the wheel on the straights on motorway journeys as you do with what I now call the original big truck wheel that Land Rover fits. For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..
http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1 |
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7th Jan 2017 8:11pm |
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| ian series 1 Member Since: 17 Nov 2014 Location: south Posts: 3127 
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Being 6'5" I find them very restricted to drive with the standard wheel, best mod I did was to replace the steering wheel.
 80" 80" 86" 88" 90"
Wanted, Forward Control Anything considered. |
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7th Jan 2017 8:15pm |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069
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Driving around windy Tuscan lanes, the startech make the driving easy
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7th Jan 2017 8:24pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 19535
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Have heard a lot of good things about the Startech. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧
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7th Jan 2017 8:26pm |
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| JAY BOY Member Since: 04 May 2010 Location: Not here Posts: 1706
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Startech is the best one to fit, i've tried a few and its the best by far.
Much better and easier to drive. I drove a standard Defender last week for a mile or so and then left it in the yard and took another car home. |
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7th Jan 2017 8:30pm |
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| RED-DOT Member Since: 29 Jun 2009 Location: stirling Posts: 2363 
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....or like a Cocaine habit just another way of proving to yourself you have too much money. Yet to see a Defender with a small steering wheel that doesn't look a bit Halfords?
(tin hat on) 2008 RS4 gone, 123d M Sport, and a Puma 90 XS.. |
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8th Jan 2017 8:08am |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7873 
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Smaller wheel makes it easier climbing in and out, detachable for added layer of security, feels so much better in your hands and nicer to drive. IMO the Startech looks far superior than the standard wheel with its fake airbag, not at all Halfords
 James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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8th Jan 2017 9:14am |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069
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What's Halfords?
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8th Jan 2017 9:29am |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 7682 
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 Cheers
James 110 XS Utility 130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making) 90 Puma Hardtop |
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8th Jan 2017 9:53am |
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| Wild Card 90 Member Since: 03 Dec 2014 Location: Gerlingen Posts: 1060  
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I wont let myself be distracted by RDs usual banter, apart form wishing a happy new year
  .
To answer the K.Ms question, the majority of aftermarket wheels are about 1-2" smaller in diameter than the archaaic looking factory one. In combination with the adaption boss, the smaller wheel is usually and inch or so nearer to the driver. This frees up some leg room and generally makes the vehicle feel a little lighter to handle. It also offers a little more space between the sideglass and the drivers elbow. The adaquate power steering means there is no need for the larger wheel. Even in off road situations, where considerable kick-back can be dangerous (never wrap thumbs around the spokes, they tell you at off road school) anyone with normal strength can deal with the forces generated, and the likelyhood of clouting your elbow on the window frame is reduced. Just like so many aspects of the Defender that didnt moved on with the times, its ergonomics off were the scale. Most drivers over six foot and wearing any amount winter clothing appreciate seat rail extensions and the smaller, higher positioned wheel just to be able sit in the cabin. An attractive looking and well finished leather wheel like the Startech one could have been fitted at the factory as standard. It would have suited the last generation of Defender well. Thats all without touching on the fact that an aftermarket steering wheel used to be, in the finest days of the motor vehicle, one of the first steps to personalising a vehicle. The airbag put a stop to that. Why do Defender drivers fit aftermarket steering wheels? Because they can! Stephen 1998 Tdi 90 SW, 2008 Td4 90 SW, 2012 2.2 90 SW, 2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma Heavy Track Raids, 255 MTs, Recaro CSs, anorak, wellingtons |
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8th Jan 2017 10:09am |
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| Sulisuli Member Since: 30 Oct 2016 Location: South west Posts: 4789 
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Wildcard 90
2015 HT XS 90
2008 SVX 90 2000 XS TD5 90 |
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8th Jan 2017 10:32am |
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