96firephoenix
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- March 14, 2015
- Messages
- 646
- Reaction score
- 55
- City, State
- Indianapolis, IN
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 Ford Explorer XLT
Just a friendly FYI:
If you have the Base model Steering wheel switches that only have cruise control (on/off on one side, and Res/+/- on the other), you can upgrade to the higher trim switches that have cruise control on the left, and climate and radio on the right. This is a mostly plug-and-play modification.
The stereo switches work, but the climate switches won't work unless you have the electronic climate control, which I think would mean that you already have the steering wheel switches.
I for one love having the cruise control inputs all on the same side of the steering wheel. I know it's a petty little thing, but since our trucks are wired to need the cruise control turned on every time you start the car, I was getting kinda ticked off having to use both hands every time I turned on and set the cruise control. And I have the radio controls.
Standard warning that modifying your car is done at your own risk, and neither I nor ExplorerForum bear any liability for damage to your vehicle or injury to your person subsequent to following these instructions. Airbags are dangerous, and you should always exercise caution when working with or near airbags.
In order to swap them over, you'll need to swap the switch harness as well.
If you have the Base model Steering wheel switches that only have cruise control (on/off on one side, and Res/+/- on the other), you can upgrade to the higher trim switches that have cruise control on the left, and climate and radio on the right. This is a mostly plug-and-play modification.
The stereo switches work, but the climate switches won't work unless you have the electronic climate control, which I think would mean that you already have the steering wheel switches.
I for one love having the cruise control inputs all on the same side of the steering wheel. I know it's a petty little thing, but since our trucks are wired to need the cruise control turned on every time you start the car, I was getting kinda ticked off having to use both hands every time I turned on and set the cruise control. And I have the radio controls.
Standard warning that modifying your car is done at your own risk, and neither I nor ExplorerForum bear any liability for damage to your vehicle or injury to your person subsequent to following these instructions. Airbags are dangerous, and you should always exercise caution when working with or near airbags.
In order to swap them over, you'll need to swap the switch harness as well.
- Disconnect the battery and wait 15 minutes to reduce the risk of airbag deployment.
- Remove the two access panels on the back of the steering wheel and remove the two bolts that secure the Airbag.
- Disconnect the horn switch from the back of the airbag, and disconnect the airbag harness from the clockspring.
- This is a locked connector - use a glasses screwdriver to unlock the connector by pulling the red tab away from the steering column, then release the catch on the connector.
- Remove the airbag.
- Disconnect the switches from the switch harness, remove the screws that secure the switches, and remove the switches
- Disconnect the switch harness from the clockspring, and remove it from the steering wheel.
- Do the above in reverse to install the new switches.