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Installing later model steering wheel

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proftomda

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June 21, 2006
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City, State
ga
Year, Model & Trim Level
1998
Anyone installed a steering wheel from a later model ranger? My wheel is thin and the leather covering is very loose. Looked at a couple 2002 2003 rangers in the junkyard that had much more substantial wheels but the guy there said that the airbags are different and would trip off the airbag light. Anybody tried this?
 



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[old thread] I'm curious also, I like the look of the 03 Ranger wheel with the blue Ford logo.. any information on air bag compatibility? They appear to be the same wheel, same buttons.. same assembly for the airbag...
 






The early generation airbags have a different electrical connector than the "second generation" bags, which had a stepped deployment. Some have rewired the bags, but I can't find the thread.
 






LMAO @ your display picture. That poor kid, wait until he realizes he's become big on the internet because he was high from the dentist... haha

Any information on dates of changes to the system?

I know around 99 or so for the Explorers they added side impact airbags.. which would most likely call for the stepped deployment?/more improvised system. I don't believe I've seen any side bags in Rangers, usually they're pretty easy to spot with the plastic cover imprinted with SRS but I could have missed them. Which year did they add the newer style wheel? 98-02/3 doesn't seem like a huge jump.. if anything the connector is just different. My 98 is pretty basic as it only has the standard front air bags.. I'm thinking since [afaik] Rangers only have the same setup with no added side bags.. it'll be a lot easier to do than trying to take the wheel/bag from a later model year Explorer... I'm just not sure.. Ford does weird things sometimes when it comes to wire harnesses I've noticed.
 






storlied said:
That poor kid, wait until he realizes he's become big on the internet because he was high from the dentist...
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry about David... He's cashin' in...



Then 17 seconds in, David cashes in on a superbowl commercial...




His website: www.davidafterdentist.com

Besides- Even I bought the t-shirt... (which was perfect for the night I got my first AARP mailer...) :p:

DSCF2011.jpg
 






Joe Dirt said:
DSCF2011.jpg
Click to expand...

:D LMAO


Are you pointing to the envelope, or does that represent the gun you want to shoot yourself with, after realising you're old enough for the AARP to mail you crap?
 






Lmfao thats great Joe.


...Back to the thread though, I agree, I love the Ranger wheel that has the blue logo, and would be very interested in doing the swap if someone else does it sucessfully LOL I dont want my damn airbag light on :D
 






I'm 36. AARP? No. With the way the American economy is, I'll never retire anyway! :D
 






omfg lmfao joe your my hero lol
 






LMAO!... oh man.. I love this forum... hahaha..

The only reason I'd be weary about this is like... I once changed my multifunction switch with a unit from a 99 Sport... well.. I had magic windshield wipers that wouldn't turn off, and when I'd put them to the fast position, I'd get windshield washer fluid for no reason... not to mention the blinkers Still weren't working. >.< I don't need a bag in my face because they wanted to change a single wire/pin on the connector or something....
 






They did- there are more pins on the '95-98 MFS. Same deal- found a nice one on a 2000 Mounty. All fubar'd when I plugged it in. lol!
 






Im learning more everytime i read this thread :D
 






I just got a little confused for a moment, either you were referring to the multifunction switch or you got an airbag in your face?.. haha.. I'm gonna assume the switch.. I'ma look into this a bit more.. I might swing by Ford sometime soon to get some diagrams and part numbers.
 






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