Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 5
From: Stillwater, OK
Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls
Toyed with this idea a little while back when I swapped my radio, but ran into a bunch of dead ends.
2008 F250 XL - No tilt, no cruise
Anybody know what would be involved with adding steering wheel controls for the radio? Would it be a full column swap, or can the be added to the non-tilt wheel?
2008 F250 XL - No tilt, no cruise
Anybody know what would be involved with adding steering wheel controls for the radio? Would it be a full column swap, or can the be added to the non-tilt wheel?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,424
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From: Albemarle, NC
I wonder if the wiring is there? That I think is the main question. The rest would be just swapping parts.
I just did some searching for sir coils (clock spring) and it only lists one with or without cruise, none of them say anything about with or without steering wheel controls. Obviously a truck without cruise wont have wheel controls, so I guess as long as you get a coil for a truck with cruise it should work. Luckil I have cruise so I may be in luck? Im just speculating though lol
I just did some searching for sir coils (clock spring) and it only lists one with or without cruise, none of them say anything about with or without steering wheel controls. Obviously a truck without cruise wont have wheel controls, so I guess as long as you get a coil for a truck with cruise it should work. Luckil I have cruise so I may be in luck? Im just speculating though lol
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
I haven't inspected something with steering wheel controls to know what the wiring looks like, but I would assume it would be either in the same plug as the cruise, or would be next to that and the air bag plug since the wires from the clock spring all come out of the column at the same place.
I know the Expedition has had steering wheel controls for years. Maybe if you venture over to that section someone could post a pic of what their factory wiring looks like under the dash so you can determine what you do or don't have.
From what I remember, the cruise plug is larger and has more pins in the connector than is needed for just cruise operation. You're comment about only 2 clock springs being available leads me to believe the clock spring may come with it's share of the wiring. If so, you should be able to verify the truck wiring by simply counting wires on the clock spring side of the plug compared to the dash side of the plug to see if anything is missing, if that makes sense.
I know the Expedition has had steering wheel controls for years. Maybe if you venture over to that section someone could post a pic of what their factory wiring looks like under the dash so you can determine what you do or don't have.
From what I remember, the cruise plug is larger and has more pins in the connector than is needed for just cruise operation. You're comment about only 2 clock springs being available leads me to believe the clock spring may come with it's share of the wiring. If so, you should be able to verify the truck wiring by simply counting wires on the clock spring side of the plug compared to the dash side of the plug to see if anything is missing, if that makes sense.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 2
From: Albemarle, NC
I haven't inspected something with steering wheel controls to know what the wiring looks like, but I would assume it would be either in the same plug as the cruise, or would be next to that and the air bag plug since the wires from the clock spring all come out of the column at the same place.
I know the Expedition has had steering wheel controls for years. Maybe if you venture over to that section someone could post a pic of what their factory wiring looks like under the dash so you can determine what you do or don't have.
From what I remember, the cruise plug is larger and has more pins in the connector than is needed for just cruise operation. You're comment about only 2 clock springs being available leads me to believe the clock spring may come with it's share of the wiring. If so, you should be able to verify the truck wiring by simply counting wires on the clock spring side of the plug compared to the dash side of the plug to see if anything is missing, if that makes sense.
I know the Expedition has had steering wheel controls for years. Maybe if you venture over to that section someone could post a pic of what their factory wiring looks like under the dash so you can determine what you do or don't have.
From what I remember, the cruise plug is larger and has more pins in the connector than is needed for just cruise operation. You're comment about only 2 clock springs being available leads me to believe the clock spring may come with it's share of the wiring. If so, you should be able to verify the truck wiring by simply counting wires on the clock spring side of the plug compared to the dash side of the plug to see if anything is missing, if that makes sense.
My thoughts exactly. Hopefully this weekend I will get time and remember to investigate.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Stillwater, OK
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
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From: Stillwater, OK
So I found a cruise control "kit" for a 2008 F250...
It is just a set of switches (on/off, set, res, accel) and says you must have your cruise control "turned on" at the dealership...
if this is true, I have very little doubt that the radio controls are just as simple... Just have to find a new steering wheel now.
It is just a set of switches (on/off, set, res, accel) and says you must have your cruise control "turned on" at the dealership...
if this is true, I have very little doubt that the radio controls are just as simple... Just have to find a new steering wheel now.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
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What is a "clock spring"?
I have an '04, and was interested in doing the same thing, only taking it a step sideways and using an adapter to control an aftermarket radio. Hopefully I could just plug the adapter into thew wires coming out of the column.
I, too, am curious if my existing column harness has the wires necessary that will plug into a wheel with the control buttons.
I have an '04, and was interested in doing the same thing, only taking it a step sideways and using an adapter to control an aftermarket radio. Hopefully I could just plug the adapter into thew wires coming out of the column.
I, too, am curious if my existing column harness has the wires necessary that will plug into a wheel with the control buttons.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Stillwater, OK
This is a basic example of a true clockspring
The clockspring in a steering column is generally the same, except without emphasis on the spring constant. The inner end is connected to the steering shaft, while the outer end is connected to the steering column. This makes a constant electrical connection to your steering wheel.
I don't know how the cruise control logic is set up, but the radio controls each have a different resistance value which return different voltage differences to the vehicle's computer. The computer knows what to do with the different voltages (vol +/-, tune +/-, etc)
A clockspring is called a clockspring because of their use in mechanical clocks. The spring steel has a constant "k value" from one end to the other, and can be wound intoitself quite a bit. This allows close to constant pressure on the clock drive gear for at least a day. Clocksprings saved quite a bit of room over weights... and paved the way for watches to fit into your pocket.
The clockspring in a steering column is generally the same, except without emphasis on the spring constant. The inner end is connected to the steering shaft, while the outer end is connected to the steering column. This makes a constant electrical connection to your steering wheel.
I don't know how the cruise control logic is set up, but the radio controls each have a different resistance value which return different voltage differences to the vehicle's computer. The computer knows what to do with the different voltages (vol +/-, tune +/-, etc)
A clockspring is called a clockspring because of their use in mechanical clocks. The spring steel has a constant "k value" from one end to the other, and can be wound intoitself quite a bit. This allows close to constant pressure on the clock drive gear for at least a day. Clocksprings saved quite a bit of room over weights... and paved the way for watches to fit into your pocket.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
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What is involved is as posted:
New steering wheel $$$
Clockspring $$$$
Any wiring from clockspring to radio if it is not on your truck.
Best way is to head to dealer and see what all the parts cost.
They will turn on the cruise for you for a fee..
New steering wheel $$$
Clockspring $$$$
Any wiring from clockspring to radio if it is not on your truck.
Best way is to head to dealer and see what all the parts cost.
They will turn on the cruise for you for a fee..
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Sorry, couldn't resist taking an Aggie jab.
Now that you've seen the technical answer, the clockspring is the device that allows the electrical signal to pass from the steering wheel buttons and horn down to the wiring in the steering column. If you simply ran hard wires all the way, turning the steering wheel would eventually crimp and damage the wires. The clockspring allows the wheel to turn, but provides a sort of pivot point for the electrical connections.
Hangin 10 bra
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 11,216
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From: Bartlett TN
You know I would love to do this to my king ranch. I know it has to have the wiring, as many my year models came with it. I just cant believe a loaded truck such as mine, didnt come with it.....grr. My new radio has the plug ready for it, just need to find a king ranch wheel with it and see.