Steering wheel swaps

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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?
 
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.....
 
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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?
 
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.
 
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
 
djfllmn said:
highly illegal
Click to expand...


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
 
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djfllmn said:
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
Click to expand...


Is it the same airbag computer? I know there are single and dual stage airbags that require different computers. Do you have a link??
 
gcextreme said:
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
Click to expand...

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 ****
 
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Shawn said:
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.
Click to expand...

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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