Change the steering wheel?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Change the steering wheel?
I'm thinking about getting another SD and I HATE the standard steering wheel. After having the sport wheel in my 350, I will need it from now on. 
SO, what does it take to swap the steering wheel as far as the airbag goes? Is it just unplug it, unbolt the wheel, or is it a bigger deal(ie need a body shop to do it)?
SO, what does it take to swap the steering wheel as far as the airbag goes? Is it just unplug it, unbolt the wheel, or is it a bigger deal(ie need a body shop to do it)?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
We shade tree mechanics are discouraged from working on and around air bags.
If you do attempt to swap the wheels, disconnect the battery and please use a wrist grounding strap. Stray static electricity discharge will cause an inadvertant air bag deployment.
I've worked with a lot of explosives and I know how easy it can be to set off the squibs that cause the air bag deployment. Be safe, you don't want this thing going off in your face.
If you do attempt to swap the wheels, disconnect the battery and please use a wrist grounding strap. Stray static electricity discharge will cause an inadvertant air bag deployment.
I've worked with a lot of explosives and I know how easy it can be to set off the squibs that cause the air bag deployment. Be safe, you don't want this thing going off in your face.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 63
Likes: 1
From: Milwaukee, WI
You can swap steering wheels yourself. Borrow a steering wheel puller from AutoZone to pull the old wheel. Then disco the battery. The airbag is held in by 2 bolts behind the wheel. Remove them. Next, disconnect the one wire connector for the airbag and remove the airbag. Don't be afraid - you don't need a hermetically sealed white room to take it out yourself - it's not going to go off in your face. Now use the steering wheel puller and pull the wheel. Now disconnect the wires for the cruise and if you have them the radio controls. Installing the new steering wheel is the opposite of removal.
I've replaced the worn leather steering wheel on a Grand Cherokee and also swapped the standard steering wheel with a leather wheel bought from EBay for my '05 F250.
I've replaced the worn leather steering wheel on a Grand Cherokee and also swapped the standard steering wheel with a leather wheel bought from EBay for my '05 F250.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,620
Likes: 3
From: WARRINGTON, PA
thr radio controls work because i got a harness and the adapter to use factory contrls with an aftermarket radio. the climate control buttons dont because my X is an 01 and it has the manual a/c controls. i mainly did it for looks because my factory wheel was looking crapy.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lower Hudson Valley, N.Y.
If you know, is there a harness that will control the factory in-dash 6-CD AM/FM Stereo? Also, is the wiring compatible with my present cruise control? [All I have is cruise control on the wheel now.] This is on an '05 SD F250 Crew Cab.
Also, was that price including the air bag?
Later...
Brewster...
Also, was that price including the air bag?
Later...
Brewster...
Last edited by Citypol86; Jan 5, 2008 at 07:47 PM. Reason: Additional question
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 63
Likes: 1
From: Milwaukee, WI
Originally Posted by Citypol86
If you know, is there a harness that will control the factory in-dash 6-CD AM/FM Stereo? Also, is the wiring compatible with my present cruise control? [All I have is cruise control on the wheel now.] This is on an '05 SD F250 Crew Cab.
Also, was that price including the air bag?
Later...
Brewster...
Also, was that price including the air bag?
Later...
Brewster...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Lower Hudson Valley, N.Y.
Originally Posted by JEB70
You remove the switches from your old wheel and put them into the new wheel - very simple to do.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 63
Likes: 1
From: Milwaukee, WI
Originally Posted by Citypol86
But like I said, I only have cruise right now. Is there a harness needed to connect the wheel to the column or is the wiring in the column already and just needs the wheel to be plugged into it?
