I followed RACERX7775's lead and installed a 2002 Navigator steering wheel on the X a few days ago. Since I saw his I've always admired it and was hoping to find a Lincoln Blackwood (black leather) steering wheel.

Well, finding a decently priced Blackwood wheel is next to impossible... A Navigator wheel was much easier. I've seen the "other" wood steering wheels marketed on Ebay but they do not have the "grips" at the 2 & 10 o'clock position like the Nav & Blackwood do. I'm kinda particular about what I want... aren't we all???

Here a couple of pics...






Prior to installing the Nav wheel I compared the switch harness wire colors (both sides) and noticed that although the plug was the same, the wire colors were different... I was hoping everything would match up... I was prepared to do a switcheroo with the switch harness... But, when I took the X for a test drive after installing the Nav wheel, all the buttons worked on the wheel and they luminated when the lights are on.

Since my X is an EB it has a black airbag and black "behind the wheel trim"... and since the EB has the two-tone theme... I used those pieces and... Bingo... custom EB steering wheel!!!

I wasn't quite sure how it would look before I installed it. I thought it might be too "choppy" or mismatched... But, after installing it, I like it.

I'll still keep my eyes open for a Blackwood wheel though.

 

sweet. i need wood too.

 

Looks good, this has been something I've always wanted to do.

Try to find someone that can reupholster it for you or try to look for a Navigator wheel in charcoal. I think it would so much better if it had black/charcoal leather.

 

I too would like to add the Nav Steering Wheel.

Where did you get it and how much was it?

 

Got it on ebay... big dealer of used parts LKQonline... Paid $89.95 + $15.00 s+h. Very happy with the transaction. Very quick ship too.

There was another one I was watching prior to purchasing this one with "Buy it now"... I was willing to pay $200 for that one but the seller sold it early and ended the auction (I hate that ) I contacted the dude and he said he sold it for $175... too bad for him

"All's well that ends well"

 

I never could find a clean one for sale when I looked for one. I really want one of these! The top of my wheel is getting a lil beat up as I like to hold the top usually and I guess I have a tight grip or someting. I always beat up the top of my leather steering wheels. The wood would be great for me, unless I wore the finish off or something lol.

 

Well after looking at your steering wheel swap I can only say:
I like it, I like it like that........... Great job.

I personally think its the best bang for the buck mod that can be done to the interior.

 

What year Navi steering wheel ?

 

 

Do you know if the wiring harness is the same for the steering wheel without all the controls? In other words, I want to upgrade to the steering wheel with all the controls. The current steering wheel only has half the controls.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

 

To be honest with you... I don't know.

If I were guessing... I'd say the harness is not the same. I would think that the internal "clock spring" is different for both applications.

Welcome to FTE!!!

 

Thank you for the welcome and info, Bob. I would really love to upgrade the steering wheel.

 

Wonder if this would work for me. Your stereo looks the same as mine. Did you have stereo controls before? If not, do they control your stereo as well?

 

Well, from reading your profile (you should put what you drive on your signature) I see you have a 2000.

If you have stereo controls on your wheel now... unsure if it will work. Mine is a 2005. Yes, I did have stereo controls on my original wheel.

 

revive the thread post

My 2005 EB cruise control on off button just fell into my lap

Did you pull the airbag, controls, etc. off your old wheel and install on this one ?

You say plug and play, but how hard is it really, need a wheel puller, schematics, engineering degree to make it plug and play ?