Steering Wheel Modification

[Titan08.5]

Okay I have a 98 explorer, My question is can you install a 2006 steering wheel on a 98. Reason i ask is because of the radio control and overall newer look.

Help me out here I know there are some smart people on here... someone has to of tried it already.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

There is no wiring in the second gen Explorers to support the radio controls.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Didn't the Limited/Premier have stereo controls on the steering wheel?

If that were the case, you would have to add those circuits to the dash harness....NOT easy...but it CAN be done.

Ryan

 

[BrianDye]

DK about the radio controls, but that would look pretty sweet....lets see some pics and all that if you do it

 

[Titan08.5]

I know the steering wheel colum does not have the wireing to handle it but lets just say for a sec that you was able to get the wiring from the 2006 explorer and was able to run it to your radio. Now my radio supports well you have to buy a steering wheel control box with all the wires so I think it might be worth a shot. But the question is does the airbag need different wiring or with some soder will it all work. or did Ford decide to change the grooves on the 2006 where you mount your steering wheel.

 

[mvw2k2]

I've done this myself to my 1996 Limited, it wasn't that much of a ideal, but I used a steering wheel out of a 1999 EB, which had the auxiliary controls (stereo/temp buttons). It was slightly harder in a 96 cause of the difference in the radio and EATC head unit. So All i did was get a EATC from a 1998+ and the radio from a 1998+, and wire them up. I then got the steering wheel from the 1999 EB, including the clockspring as well as harness it attached to.

The difference between the cruise only steering wheels and cruise + aux controls steering wheels is two wires. So you would need the plug that the clockspring plugs into under the dash. Then run the audio wire to your radio and the EATC wire to your EATC. The cruise wires are the same. I assume you have EATC, if not you will need to add this. There is a write up on here about how to go about that feat.

I'm sure what I have suggested would probably work for a 2006, but the wiring is most likely different. Also 2002+ use a different EATC controller, and radio. Not to mention the airbag differences.

Feel free to ask any questions.