Steering wheel swap
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Harford County, MD
Steering wheel swap
I think its been about a year since I last checked so I thought I would take another shot.
Does anyone have any experience or information on swapping a steering wheel with the hvac and audio controls in to an EX without controls? I have had the new steering wheel for well over a year but have been hesitant to tear in to the swap because I have never found any definitive info. on here about it.
Thanks for any help,
Tom
Does anyone have any experience or information on swapping a steering wheel with the hvac and audio controls in to an EX without controls? I have had the new steering wheel for well over a year but have been hesitant to tear in to the swap because I have never found any definitive info. on here about it.
Thanks for any help,
Tom
Excursion Fleet Manager
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 5
From: Green Oak, MI
I know what you mean. I took a shot in the dark here, and so far so good. I intend to take the radio out of my new Ex and put it in this one to see if the radio controls will work.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...xs-how-to.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...xs-how-to.html
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 33
From: Sacramento Area
I think its been about a year since I last checked so I thought I would take another shot.
Does anyone have any experience or information on swapping a steering wheel with the hvac and audio controls in to an EX without controls? I have had the new steering wheel for well over a year but have been hesitant to tear in to the swap because I have never found any definitive info. on here about it.
Thanks for any help,
Tom
Does anyone have any experience or information on swapping a steering wheel with the hvac and audio controls in to an EX without controls? I have had the new steering wheel for well over a year but have been hesitant to tear in to the swap because I have never found any definitive info. on here about it.
Thanks for any help,
Tom
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 149
From: SE Georgia
1. You have to have the harness inside the steering column...or install them like Sunline Fan did
2. The harness has to run from the column to the radio
3. Your radio has to be capable of this
It's really not that hard to do. just make sure you have all 3 of the above. The link above is good reading. I've been prepping a similar swap for my 06 F-250 to use a F-150 wheel. Some day I'll tear into it and do the darn thing
2. The harness has to run from the column to the radio
3. Your radio has to be capable of this
It's really not that hard to do. just make sure you have all 3 of the above. The link above is good reading. I've been prepping a similar swap for my 06 F-250 to use a F-150 wheel. Some day I'll tear into it and do the darn thing
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 33
From: Sacramento Area
1. You have to have the harness inside the steering column...or install them like Sunline Fan did
2. The harness has to run from the column to the radio
3. Your radio has to be capable of this
It's really not that hard to do. just make sure you have all 3 of the above. The link above is good reading. I've been prepping a similar swap for my 06 F-250 to use a F-150 wheel. Some day I'll tear into it and do the darn thing
2. The harness has to run from the column to the radio
3. Your radio has to be capable of this
It's really not that hard to do. just make sure you have all 3 of the above. The link above is good reading. I've been prepping a similar swap for my 06 F-250 to use a F-150 wheel. Some day I'll tear into it and do the darn thing
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Harford County, MD
I am assuming I have the electronic HVAC system even though I don't have the steering wheel controls. It has the auto temp feature and you set the desired temperature with digital readout on the dash?
I find it hard to believe that the necessary harness would not already be in place for the steering wheel controls. Can't believe they would wire each truck differently based on which steering wheel it receives but maybe that's just wishful thinking??
One of these days I will dig the box out with the new steering wheel in it and just dive in!...........(Just need to make sure I won't need to drive the EX for a couple of days in case I have problems.)
I find it hard to believe that the necessary harness would not already be in place for the steering wheel controls. Can't believe they would wire each truck differently based on which steering wheel it receives but maybe that's just wishful thinking??
One of these days I will dig the box out with the new steering wheel in it and just dive in!...........(Just need to make sure I won't need to drive the EX for a couple of days in case I have problems.)
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 33
From: Sacramento Area
I am assuming I have the electronic HVAC system even though I don't have the steering wheel controls. It has the auto temp feature and you set the desired temperature with digital readout on the dash?
I find it hard to believe that the necessary harness would not already be in place for the steering wheel controls. Can't believe they would wire each truck differently based on which steering wheel it receives but maybe that's just wishful thinking??
One of these days I will dig the box out with the new steering wheel in it and just dive in!...........(Just need to make sure I won't need to drive the EX for a couple of days in case I have problems.)
I find it hard to believe that the necessary harness would not already be in place for the steering wheel controls. Can't believe they would wire each truck differently based on which steering wheel it receives but maybe that's just wishful thinking??
One of these days I will dig the box out with the new steering wheel in it and just dive in!...........(Just need to make sure I won't need to drive the EX for a couple of days in case I have problems.)
Think of it...you pay the raw material cost, then additional time (labor) making the harness just to not use it. Why do that if you don't need to?
In any event, if the wires are NOT there, then you should still be able to add the harness leads. Not saying it would be easy (might be fairly difficult in the 'cut knuckles' department), but it could be done. I'd imagine so long as it doesn't have to go through the main computer (GEM/ECM/some other acronym) that it can be added.
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Senior User
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From: Harford County, MD
I am sure you are correct......if they can save $1 per vehicle they will. I guess I just need to do more research and try to have everything on hand that I could possibly need before I open her up.
Thanks for your input!
Thanks for your input!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
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From: Sacramento Area
So long as you don't destroy parts or steal anything, I'd imagine the owner wouldn't have a problem with you operating on a cadaver truck to learn what you are going to get into on your own.
Excursion Fleet Manager
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 5
From: Green Oak, MI
I am assuming I have the electronic HVAC system even though I don't have the steering wheel controls. It has the auto temp feature and you set the desired temperature with digital readout on the dash?
I find it hard to believe that the necessary harness would not already be in place for the steering wheel controls. Can't believe they would wire each truck differently based on which steering wheel it receives but maybe that's just wishful thinking??
One of these days I will dig the box out with the new steering wheel in it and just dive in!...........(Just need to make sure I won't need to drive the EX for a couple of days in case I have problems.)
I find it hard to believe that the necessary harness would not already be in place for the steering wheel controls. Can't believe they would wire each truck differently based on which steering wheel it receives but maybe that's just wishful thinking??
One of these days I will dig the box out with the new steering wheel in it and just dive in!...........(Just need to make sure I won't need to drive the EX for a couple of days in case I have problems.)
As long as you take the time to disconnect the battery, pull the airbag, pull the steering wheel, pull the clockspring, and then replace with the new clockspring, steering wheel, and then the airbag, you can leave the wiring for later. The plugs for the airbag parts are the same between the two, so you can still drive the truck complete with airbags. You'll just not have horn, cruise, or any of your new buttons until you wire it up.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Sacramento Area
Yes, you have the electronic HVAC. The other style has three manual *****, one for fan, one for temp, and one for where the air comes out and if it does. They put that style in the earlier Limiteds, but it remained in the XLT when the electronic version came out.
As long as you take the time to disconnect the battery, pull the airbag, pull the steering wheel, pull the clockspring, and then replace with the new clockspring, steering wheel, and then the airbag, you can leave the wiring for later. The plugs for the airbag parts are the same between the two, so you can still drive the truck complete with airbags. You'll just not have horn, cruise, or any of your new buttons until you wire it up.
As long as you take the time to disconnect the battery, pull the airbag, pull the steering wheel, pull the clockspring, and then replace with the new clockspring, steering wheel, and then the airbag, you can leave the wiring for later. The plugs for the airbag parts are the same between the two, so you can still drive the truck complete with airbags. You'll just not have horn, cruise, or any of your new buttons until you wire it up.
Excursion Fleet Manager
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 5
From: Green Oak, MI
That I don't know. I imagine it would be somewhat difficult, but I really have no idea how the manual style works. I've never had one. If the manual style doesn't have vacuum operated blend doors (are they cable driven to the *****?), then it would be really involved. If they are vacuum operated doors that are computer controlled and the ***** are just a different way to input what you want, then it might be possible without major mods.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Harford County, MD
Does anyone know the correct Ford part # for the clock spring that works with the steering wheel controls?
"If I were you, I'd check the Ford parts web site and get as many exploded views that you can...and if you are lucky you can find a crashed X at a pick and pull and do a little 'exploratory surgery' while you are there."
Is there a specific web site that you are referring to?
Thanks for all of the replies thus far!
"If I were you, I'd check the Ford parts web site and get as many exploded views that you can...and if you are lucky you can find a crashed X at a pick and pull and do a little 'exploratory surgery' while you are there."
Is there a specific web site that you are referring to?
Thanks for all of the replies thus far!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 33
From: Sacramento Area
Does anyone know the correct Ford part # for the clock spring that works with the steering wheel controls?
"If I were you, I'd check the Ford parts web site and get as many exploded views that you can...and if you are lucky you can find a crashed X at a pick and pull and do a little 'exploratory surgery' while you are there."
Is there a specific web site that you are referring to?
Thanks for all of the replies thus far!
"If I were you, I'd check the Ford parts web site and get as many exploded views that you can...and if you are lucky you can find a crashed X at a pick and pull and do a little 'exploratory surgery' while you are there."
Is there a specific web site that you are referring to?
Thanks for all of the replies thus far!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 33
From: Sacramento Area
That I don't know. I imagine it would be somewhat difficult, but I really have no idea how the manual style works. I've never had one. If the manual style doesn't have vacuum operated blend doors (are they cable driven to the *****?), then it would be really involved. If they are vacuum operated doors that are computer controlled and the ***** are just a different way to input what you want, then it might be possible without major mods.
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JerzyFresh
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Sep 23, 2012 08:54 PM
