Steering wheel switch out

[scottswierenga]

I've got the factory wheel with the cruise control buttons in the wheel and want to put on a Grant brand wheel or some other. The question is two fold..."Can I remove the factory wheel, put on another, and still have the truck run?" And..."Is there any way to retain the cruise control?"

The parts guy at a store says if I disconnect the old wheel the EX will no longer run because of it not haveing a colmpeted electrical curcuit. I think he is smoking something. If I could retain the cruise I would need to remake the connections and fab a bracket for the 6 buttons to relocate it to the dash. Gimme your input. :thumbdwn:

 

[FROADER]

the parts guys is smoking something really good to say that. You can mount your cruise control buttons on the dash and use the Grant wheel you want. I'll try to find some pictures of my friend's ranger that he put the cruise buttons on the pillar.

 

[DeerSlayer]

Actually I think the parts guy knew what he was alking about, for once. There is a special connector to electric signals through the rotating part of the steering wheel. If you remove that you will have to find a new way of connecting those wires, even if you remount them somewhere else.

 

[Rustydog]

i just ordered a hub mount kit to add my grant gt....not trying to post jack...i was going to mount the switches to a 1/4 abs plate that will be mounted under the wheel and over the hub. and i will be drilling the grant hub with a drill press to fit the factory wire clip. hope this helps, post pics

 

[Robb]

Actually I think the parts guy knew what he was alking about, for once. There is a special connector to electric signals through the rotating part of the steering wheel. If you remove that you will have to find a new way of connecting those wires, even if you remount them somewhere else.

Outside of the cruise and horn................what is this "special connector" you are referring to? What "electrical signals" will be disrupted?

 

[scottswierenga]

Robb, the "special connector" is a disc shaped electrical connection that is used so that the circuit is completed (for the cruise buttons) as the wheel is is rotated. It's not like there are just some wires that twist and untwist in the wheel as you corner. I forget its textbook name though. The electrical signal is that which is made when you press the cruise function buttons.

Does anyone know what exactly it looks like behind the cover on the wheel or have a pic of it? I haven't ripped into it yet to see what I am in for.

 

[Jason94sport]

I have pulled my wheel off. I didn't see any special connector.

 

[Spdrcer34]

My X started right up when I had the steering wheel off.

I was doing dash swap, and in order to check the wiring before I installed the `wheel, I wanted to start the X....

And it started.

I think you guys are forgetting how 'dumb' our OBD1/EEC4 vehicles are....now then, if we were talking about a 2nd gen X, with OBD II, but more importantly.......AIR BAGS! I can understand a car not starting due to no air bag 'signal'.....but obviously THAT can be over ridden too, appearantly.


Ryan

 

[Robb]

The airbags and cruise functions work off of simple wires and plugs, nothing special. The horn is the only thing that makes it's connection through any spectacular means.

 

[94explorer2x4]

scottswierenga If you are still interested

You can replace the steering wheel, the car will start after. He may have ben talking about the insturment panel in newer cars if the odometer is disconnected the vehicle will not start but I think this is not until cars made in the late 90s. If the srs (suplimential restraint system) detects a fault with an airbag or some module/sensor it dose not disable the ignition it will turn on the air bag light and disable the air bags. The 93 I dont belive has air bags as my 94 dose not either. Also the "text book" name for that part is a "slide contact" and on newer vehicles it is a "Clock Spring". You will have to look at the wires going into the slide contact and figure out wich wires they mate up with on the other side of the slide contact where they come out so that when you re-locate the buttons you can splice the wires together.My buddy also has a grant wheel in his 86 ranger and I really like the way it looks and feels in my opinion a good mod! Sorry I dont have a picture but if you need it here is the "text book" explination on how to remove the steering wheel.

1)Disconnect battery ground cable

2)From the underside of the steering wheel , remove the screws that hold the steering wheel pad horn switch to the steering wheel spokes.

3)Lift up the steering wheel pad horn switch and disconnect the horn wires from the steering wheel pad horn switch by pulling the spade terminal from the blade connectors. Remove the steering wheel pad horn switch .

CAUTION: Tilt columns have a compression spring under the steering wheel that can "pop up" the steering wheel if bolt is removed while using the puller.

4)Loosen the bolt on the steering shaft, but do not remove bolt, so steering wheel is captured when using steering wheel puller.

CAUTION: Do not hammer on the steering wheel or steering shaft or use a slide hammer type steering wheel puller as either procedure will damage the steering column bearings.

5)Remove the steering wheel using Steering Wheel Puller






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