Steering wheel swaps

Discussion in '1998 - 2011 Ford Ranger' started by portert, Oct 2, 2013.

  1. portert

    portert New Member

    I am looking to swap out my 2002 ranger steering wheel with a newer one that has the harder (to break) cruise control buttons. Does anyone know if this is possible or advised? OR, does anyone have a better idea about improving the cruise control buttons?
     
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  3. Shawn

    Shawn Cranky old man

    What years do you have in mind? The airbags MAY have a different controller.
     
  4. OP
    portert

    portert New Member

    I have a 2002 and I wanted to swap to 06+ to take advantage of the improved cruise control
     
  5. Shawn

    Shawn Cranky old man

    Pretty good bet the airbags are different electrically. Best to swap the airbag controller also. A matched set will be safest.
    Next step is get a diagram for both years and compare the resistances of the switches. The 2003 Aviator wheel I put in my 2003 Ranger had different resistances. I had to mod in different resistors.
    Hold on...I have those wiring manuals right here...
    Resistances are the same so the newer cruise switches will work.

    I have seen guys wire switches in the console or dash also. 4 small push button switches and 4 resistors. A creative guy could use a small game pad...Up could be set..back could be resume...etc.....
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2013
  6. OP
    portert

    portert New Member

    So, to sum it up, I should be able to swap out steering wheels? I don't really want the airbag to deploy in my face while tightening the last bolt.

    I also see that you swapped out the gauge cluster on your truck to the white one. What did you do to correct the odo?
     
  7. Shawn

    Shawn Cranky old man

    Provided you get the airbag controller to go with the steering wheel and airbag. YES.

    I took the cluster apart and manually reset the odometer to match.
     
  8. djfllmn

    djfllmn ^^^ I am Mr. Clean!

    member on FRF actually did the 04 wheel swap...all you have to do is trim a little ear off the airbag connector on the wheel and it plugs right in..has a very good write up on how to do it
     
  9. Scrambler82

    Scrambler82 Old Guy User

    What happens if you take the air bag out completely ?
     
  10. djfllmn

    djfllmn ^^^ I am Mr. Clean!

    highly illegal
     
  11. gcextreme

    gcextreme GCEXTREME Vendor


    In most states there is NO SUCH LAW..
    There is a federal law, but your state may not enforce it.

    You need to check with your state's laws...specially if the vehicle is going to be driven on public roads.

    You can't pay to have them removed, like at a shop, but you are free to remove them yourself, and if u want u can put in a custom steering wheel with no airbag....but your insurance rate may go up!
    And if u get into an accident and your vehicle originally had airbags but you removed them...u could be in trouble.

    There are tons of custom cars out there with no airbags in their steering wheels, especially OFF-ROAD vehicles!!!
    Hell cars in NASCAR dont even have steering wheel airbags!!

    It all depends on your setup.
    My uncle has a custom 95 Corvette...with no steering wheel airbag..he has a custom steering wheel..

    Also, check with your state to see what is required to be a legal road worthy vehicle.
    Here in Minnesota, its crazy, there is no law that says your vehicle has to have a windshield, but it if does have a windshield, it must have windshield wipers!!

    But i think there is a way to file "EXEMPT" on certain things, federally. If you were to build a brand new custom hotrod, you must have certain thing to make it road legal, and airbags are not one of those things! So you can build a custom rig with no airbags, but you cant legally take an already built rig and remove the airbags, well yeah you can, u just have to file alot of paperwork, lol.

    For more info:
    http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/adaptive/Inoper/Fre_ask_Ques.htm
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2013
  12. Shawn

    Shawn Cranky old man


    Is it the same airbag computer? I know there are single and dual stage airbags that require different computers. Do you have a link??
     
  13. djfllmn

    djfllmn ^^^ I am Mr. Clean!

    Apple's to oranges here Glenn...you are removing a federally mandated safety device...if the feds find out about your uncles vette hes gonna be in deep ****
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2013
  14. djfllmn

    djfllmn ^^^ I am Mr. Clean!

    Yea I can get one...and yea it is still a single stage airbag
     
  15. djfllmn

    djfllmn ^^^ I am Mr. Clean!

  16. Shawn

    Shawn Cranky old man

    Good read...thanks
     
  17. Scrambler82

    Scrambler82 Old Guy User

    Interesting swap and it doesn’t look too bad.
    With a leather wrap on the outer rim it would look even better.
     
  18. OP
    portert

    portert New Member

    Thanks, looks like I have to be on the look out for a newer steering wheel from my local jy. I don't think it would matter if it comes from an explorer or a ranger.
     

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