My Ranger is a 98 and the airbag module on the steering wheel rubber cover has separated I guess from age and wear from driving so much. It hasn't ever been deployed. I was wondering if I can get another unused one from a 98-01 Ranger or does it have to be from a 98 only? Is it a just unscrew, unplug, and bolt in or will anything have to be reprogrammed? Of course I will have had the battery totally disconnected for 5+ minutes before I mess with it. I've taken it out before to fix something and I remember it not being anything difficult to remove, just two screws on the side.

 

With the VIN# in hand, maybe call your local salvage yard, or the local Ford parts man to see what's compatible with your year model vehicle.

 

I was able to get the airbag off of another 1998 Ford Ranger 2.5 yesterday and swapped it out with mine. It was a simple swap. Now what to do with my old one. The junkyard wouldn't take the old one. Is it ok to have it sitting on the shelf of my garage? I doubt the recycle center will take it. Can't it still go off or explode? It's no good. It never has been deployed it's just the cut on the cover has come apart.