Early Bronco Steering Wheels

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Early Bronco Steering Wheels: Stock vs. Aftermarket

Swapping or restoring a 1966-77 Ford Bronco steering wheel is more than just an interior upgrade - it’s a decision that affects comfort, style, and drivability. Whether you're chasing period-correct restoration or building a restomod trail rig, understanding the differences between stock and aftermarket steering wheels will help steer you in the right direction.

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OEM 1966-77 Ford Bronco Steering Wheel Information

1966–73 Ford Bronco: Two-Spoke Steering Wheel
The early Broncos rolled off the line with a black two-spoke steering wheel featuring a thin grip ring. It had a simple, vintage look that fit the utilitarian nature of the Bronco. Ford offered two horn button finishes - argent silver and chrome - plus an upgraded version with an integrated horn ring built right into the center button.

1974 Ford Bronco: Transition Year
In 1974, Ford updated the steering column design to include a hazard switch. To use up remaining stock of the 66–73 style wheels, Ford retooled them slightly to work with the new column. These hybrid wheels retained the older look but had internal adjustments to mate with the new setup.

1974–77 Ford Bronco: Truck-Style Steering Wheel
Eventually, about mid-way through the 1974 Bronco model year, Ford adopted a bulkier, more padded steering wheel design from the F-series truck line to use on the Bronco. These later wheels had a larger grip, broader spokes, and a padded center horn pad instead of the traditional metal horn ring or button. They matched the evolving look of Ford’s light truck interiors, and added a chunkier feel behind the wheel.

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Strengths and Weaknesses of OEM Early Bronco Steering Wheels

Advantages

• Factory-correct for restoration projects

• Large diameter aids in low-speed control with manual steering

• Classic Bronco styling that completes the vintage interior look

Drawbacks

• Takes up more room, reducing driver leg space

• Longer steering throw feels slow compared to modern vehicles

• Limited in style and material options

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Aftermarket Steering Wheels: A Modern Touch with Classic Character

Aftermarket steering wheels offer a fresh look, tighter feel, and updated ergonomics - especially for Broncos equipped with power steering. They typically have smaller diameters, making them more responsive and freeing up space behind the wheel. Many feature soft leather wraps, polished spokes, and custom center caps that match your interior style.

These wheels often draw inspiration from high-end custom steering wheels known for their clean, compact, and functional design - thin grip, stitched leather, and a smooth-turning feel that suits both off-road trails and daily driving.

Advantages

• Smaller diameter is perfect for Broncos with power steering

• Opens up legroom and improves seating comfort

• Faster steering response and tighter handling

• Wide variety of styles, colors, and materials to personalize your interior

Drawbacks

• Can feel twitchy or heavy with manual steering due to less leverage

• Not ideal for owners seeking 100% original appearance

• Requires adapters to mate to your factory steering column

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Stock vs. Aftermarket 66-77 Bronco Steering Wheels at a Glance

Feature	OEM Steering Wheel	Aftermarket Steering Wheel
Diameter	Large (great for manual steering)	Smaller (best with power steering)
Styling	Factory-correct, vintage look	Custom designs, leather wraps, polished spokes
Driver Comfort	Takes up more cabin space	More legroom and ergonomic grip
Steering Feel	Slower, longer throw	Quicker response with tighter feel
Customization	Very limited	Many options for color, style, and finish

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Choosing the Right Steering Wheel for Your Early Bronco

If you're restoring a Bronco to showroom specs or running manual steering, the stock wheel makes sense. Its larger size helps you muscle through turns - especially in parking lots or at slow speeds - and it keeps the cabin looking like it just rolled off the assembly line.

But if you've added power steering or simply want more comfort and space, an aftermarket wheel is a worthy upgrade. It modernizes the driving feel while letting you dial in the interior style to match your build.

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Final Thoughts

Early Bronco steering wheels - whether stock or aftermarket - set the tone for how your truck feels from the driver’s seat. The OEM wheels offer nostalgic value and practicality for manual setups, while aftermarket designs provide a tighter, more modern experience with room for customization. As always, the best choice depends on how you drive and what you want your Bronco to say when you open that door.

Take command with an Early Bronco steering wheel that fits your build - from OEM-type to our custom Billet Aluminum designs, we have the steering wheel for you.

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