Defender 300 TDI replacement steering wheel

[jimbo110]

For those of us wanting a smaller steering wheel to give us a bit more elbow room and not get a miniature after market car wheel we can raid the BLMC parts bin and get the factory wheel from a Morris Marina 1700. It's a perfect fit, same splines etc and sits at about the same reach as the Landrover one. The difference is it is a 15" wheel and is concentric with the shaft, unlike the Landrover one that goes up and down as you turn the wheel. The only alteration required is to extend the drive pegs for the indicator cancelling as the Marina wheels ones are about 5mm shorter. I did this with 2 panel pins bent over into a staple shape and drilled 4 holes in the wheels pegs to insert the pins into, about 10 mins work. No mods are done the the truck at all so the original wheel can just be bolted back on at any time. The difference in driving is much more elbow room when turning and much faster steering response, not so truck like to drive.

The top of the wheel is much lower, so my right hand no longer obscures the rev counter on the top of the dash. The bottom of the wheel remains about the same height.



The reach is almost identical




The plastic shrouds line up perfectly, and the finish is exactly the same.



The difference in the size of the original






I did the same years ago on my old pre-defender 110 (county) this was it's wheel, different size spline so alot more work involved.



It now just needs a wheel cover to give it a soft feel again and were done.

[jimbo110]

New soft cover stitched into place, same feel as the original wheel, just more responsive steering and elbows away from the door.

[defmec]

nice job it makes a world of difference to have a smaller wheel i put in a sas racing wheel (really small) and love it

[jimbo110]

nice job it makes a world of difference to have a smaller wheel i put in a sas racing wheel (really small) and love it

Yep, I know what you mean. This ones not too much smaller, just standard car size. I cant understand why they still fit such a large wheel to a vehicle with power steering. I can now spin from lock to lock with just my right hand on the wheel and not smack my arm on the door

[eksjay]

How did you re-connect the airbag when you threw out the old wheel?

[jimbo110]

How did you re-connect the airbag when you threw out the old wheel?

Nah, didn't have to touch the airbag, she's still in the passengers seat...........

[4x4x2]

Hi
Nice how much did the wheel cost?.
and how do you get them.

[jimbo110]

Hi
Nice how much did the wheel cost?.
and how do you get them.

Mine cost $35 delivered from a guy wrecking a Marina on Trade me. Just check your local leyland/BMC wrecker. I think only the 1700 model uses this wheel.

[nzlandies]

Thought you may like to know that the wheels off Minis Maestros Montegos and Metros will fit series landrovers and defenders late 200tdi and 300tdi. They even work the indicators. td5 and early 90 110 use the range rover type spline.

[rar110]

where about did you buy the cover?

thanks