After Market Steering Wheels?

Dany77 · Nov 28, 2008

Hey all,

I wanted to upgrade my stock steering wheel (w/airbag but no cruise control buttons) to an after market Grant wheel. However, when I looked at the Grant website I couldn't find an adaptor that would fit my truck, 1995 Ford Ranger XLT. I e-mailed them and got a response back from their Customer Service Manager saying ;

"Sorry, but we do not make any installation kits for vehicles that came equipped with an airbag regardless if the bags have been removed or deployed it is against FEDERAL LAW for us to even inspect them"

Are there any companies out there that make an adaptor and steering wheel for my truck? Anyone got pictures of their aftermarket steering wheels they can post?

If I can't find one I might just resort to buying a new one from Ford... or maybe check out the wreckers again. But most of the time the wheels in the wreckers are in the same condition as mine. My grip is pretty much gone, it's as smooth as... well, you know :icon_confused:

4LO 4.O · Nov 28, 2008

No one makes a steering wheel adapter for airbag equipped vehicles, as it's against the law to remove any factory installed safety equipment.

You might be able to find one that will work but your going to just look at them and check it out.

Here's what I found with a little searching.

http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237539&highlight=steering+adapter

Dany77 · Nov 29, 2008

Thanks for the link.
Guess I'll just buy a new stock one. will probably get a new shift knob at the same time. I'll check ebay as well. Cheers

ghost_rader · Nov 29, 2008

most of the time the adapter for an older range i the same. i did one on a celia with an airbag. the only downfall was that the horn didn't work. i have a 96 ranger and an adapter from an 86, and i am planning on putting it on tomorrow, so i'll let you know if it works or not.

ghost_rader · Nov 30, 2008

installed today

i installed the steering wheel in my 96 today. i used a grant adapter out of an 86 ranger. (this does need to be modified)
here's what i statrted with

first remove the airbag. there are 2 covers on the side of the steeting wheel with 2 - 8mm bolts behind.

next remove the steering wheel its self. to do that you need a t-50 torx (the bolt in the center.)

then pull, wiggle it off(if you don't have a puller)

now that the wheel is off, you need to modify the adapter
from this,

to this to make the wires fit

and this

you also need to take the horn wires off the old steering wheel

also depending on the kit you get, you will most likely need to modify the filler gaurd to fit over the wires and the wire spool(white thing on the colum)
this will be a trial and error. could take fome time to get it perfect.

its not perfect yet, but the horn works and it stears the truck.
now it just needs some finishing touches, but thats probable the easiedst way to install an aftermarket wheel on a newer ranger with an airbag.

Dany77 · Nov 30, 2008

Hey that was a great post to help prepare me for my swap. Thanks man. I think i'm going to try it. If it doesn't work then I'll just put my old wheel back on and go buy a new one from Ford. I'll try to post pics of the progress. Thanks again.

Cheers

ghost_rader · Nov 30, 2008

no prob any time

woodyedmiston · Dec 26, 2008

You might want to look at this site as an alternative, too: http://www.drivingcomfort.com/index.cfm?fa=p&pid=1793&sc=6478

4LO 4.O · Dec 27, 2008

woodyedmiston said:
You might want to look at this site as an alternative, too: http://www.drivingcomfort.com/index.cfm?fa=p&pid=1793&sc=6478

Steering wheel covers are gay!

chvlfrk · Dec 27, 2008

Curious......

ghost_rader said:
most of the time the adapter for an older range i the same. i did one on a celia with an airbag. the only downfall was that the horn didn't work. i have a 96 ranger and an adapter from an 86, and i am planning on putting it on tomorrow, so i'll let you know if it works or not.

============================================
Fairly old post, but new interest............

I would think an adapter for a 93-94 Ranger would be the same, as they are the same body style 93-97, just 95 they added air bags......

woodyedmiston · Dec 27, 2008

Dear Gay Reader

The site to which the original inquirer was directed was to a site that has "lace-on" leather steering wheel covers - which is exactly what the Ranger XLT comes equipped with at the factory.

I had no idea that Ford was gay. Thanks for the clarification based on your experience.

4LO 4.O · Dec 28, 2008

super cool lace up guy.

woodyedmiston said:
The site to which the original inquirer was directed was to a site that has "lace-on" leather steering wheel covers - which is exactly what the Ranger XLT comes equipped with at the factory.

I had no idea that Ford was gay. Thanks for the clarification based on your experience.

No problem, glad I could clear that up for you. :icon_thumby:

My XLT did not come factory with a lace up cover, and had it I would have removed it before I even test drove the truck!
Do you think there might be a reason why Ford quit putting them in vehicles? and exactly when did they stop doing this?

As far as the lace on covers, my granny had one way back in 1985, but the original question was aftermarket steering wheel adapters, not silly lace up covers.

You may be right though, lets see how many people on any modding site anywhere that has one of those outdated and ugly lace up covers. Come on prove me wrong...Anybody?

woodyedmiston · Dec 28, 2008

Steering Wheels

I'd just like to see you explain how Ford or any other car manufacturer offers real leather steering wheels without them being laced on? The site I referenced offers the material to replace or update your steering wheel to something that looks like a factory steering wheel.

What you are talking about is a J C Whitney perforated plastic - usually brown- and laced on with something called "gimp". The heavy duty string that holds on a leather steering wheel is called lacing. The 2008 Ford Truck I parked beside this morning had a laced on, leather steering wheel.

As for the original question - the individual that posted the thread wanted to upgrade his wheel with an aftermarket wheel - but was willing to pay Ford at last resort for a new wheel. Simply replacing the leather on his original wheel, might be cheaper, or better, or . . . and by the way, the red wheel in the pictures are laced on.

ZMan · Dec 28, 2008

woodyedmiston said:
I'd just like to see you explain how Ford or any other car manufacturer offers real leather steering wheels without them being laced on? The site I referenced offers the material to replace or update your steering wheel to something that looks like a factory steering wheel.

What you are talking about is a J C Whitney perforated plastic - usually brown- and laced on with something called "gimp". The heavy duty string that holds on a leather steering wheel is called lacing. The 2008 Ford Truck I parked beside this morning had a laced on, leather steering wheel.

As for the original question - the individual that posted the thread wanted to upgrade his wheel with an aftermarket wheel - but was willing to pay Ford at last resort for a new wheel. Simply replacing the leather on his original wheel, might be cheaper, or better, or . . . and by the way, the red wheel in the pictures are laced on.

I have that exact same Grant wheel in my ranger (same color even), and its definitely machine stitched with nylon thread, no lacing there.

4LO 4.O · Dec 29, 2008

You have no idea what your talking about, and I assure you that Grant wheel is NOT laced on.

The factory leather wheels are NOT laced on either, rather they are bonded then stitched with a sewing machine.

After Market Steering Wheels?

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