Airbag Question

[Henyaman]

Hello all!
I am the proud new owner of a 1998 black explorer sport! BUT It needs airbags. What all ones fit (Ranger, etc...) and what years are interchangeable?
Thanks!!!
-Ryan

 

[RiverRat]

Hey,
The ranger air bags will fit. I'm not sure but 1996- should work as the dash is the same.

 

[MONMIX]

suspension air bags or supplimental restrsaint air bags ?

 

[Henyaman]

Oh oops. SRS airbags. Sorry!

One more odd question-
On the tailgate, the light that is on the top of the glass (Third brake light I think) is fine while driving, but when I lock the car up, it starts blinking really fast. Is that an alarm warning or something? If I unlock it it stops
THanks!!
-R

 

[MONMIX]

My question is WHY do you need air bags for your 98 ?
Is there some thing wrong with the ones in there ?

ONLY the ones designed for that year should be used.

 

[Henyaman]

It was side-swiped and they deployed. It is a present for my girlfriend, so I am fixing it up. I already ordered the ones from like a 97 or so, I dont see why they wouldnt fit. Thanks!
-R

 

[MONMIX]

It is likely you'll still carry a SRS code ( air bag light )
Take it down to the dealer or a decent body shop they will need to clear it for you.

Make sure when you connect the bags you have the battery disconected.

When you go to start the truck again pull the seat all the way back incase the module still is containing a deploy code. Most manufactures require you to replace the control module when ever air bags are deployed.

Sorry I did not say it earlier but welcome to the site !!

 

[Henyaman]

Cool. THANKS! I did get the module as well, so its all good. This truck is alot nice than I thought it would be. Its loaded and has the power dual lumbar and junk. Very cool. Thanks guys
-R

 

[X~FACTOR]

If I were you (which I am obviously not ) I'd use that as an excuse to get me an aftermarket steering wheel. They're much much nicer. But ofcourse, still no Air Bag.

 

[Lemondrop]

Sometimes the clock spring gets wasted during a bag deploy also . The clock spring is inside the steering columb , under the steering wheel . It if a "joint" for the wiring so you can turn the wheel yet still have the airbag/horn/cruise switches still attached
As I said sometimes it gets broken . Also the horn button(s) get WASTED when the airbag deploys . You won't be able to put the bag back into the wheel unless you get new buttons . They are 2 long metal pieces that are inside the steering wheel under the airbag (with wires attached to them) . When the bag explodes it pulls the center of the buttons out as the airbag attaches to the horn buttons . The little plastic plugs in the side of the steering wheel are the covers for the blots to remove the airbag . When the bag has gone off it is very hard to get to the bolts to remove the busted bag , but can be done . The pass side bag can be accessed by simply swinging the glovebox down . It has 2 plastic tabs that you push towards the inside of the glove box and it will release and swing towards the floor . There are a couple bolts up inside the dash that screw up into the airbag . Remove them and the airbag will slide out of the dash . Once it starts sliding out a little , disconnect the wiring .
As someone said when you put the bags in install a new module or have your checked to see if it's good , and do everything with the battery disconnected !!!!!!!!!!
Also if the front end took a lick which ever side got hit will need a new airbag sensor there is one on each side .

 

[Lemondrop]

Oh , I forgot ...
If you get the bags and module used from a vehicle it shoudl not matter if ranger or explorer and waht year as long as they are the same dash style . Make sure of you do it that way you get all 3 from the same vehicle so the module matches the bags .
You might want a shop to do this for you ....