Need question answered about 94/95 Ranger steering wheel ASAP

[Trailrated92]

Hey guys,

I have an appointment coming up a week from Saturday to get the door and ignition lock cylinders changed out, the drivers side door cylinder has never worked and the ignition cylinder is so sloppy its not even funny.

Anyway, when the guy told me he had to pull the steering wheel to change the ignition cylinder I figured that would be a perfect time to have my Grant Formula 1 ( PN 1066) steering wheel installed that I took off my now junked 92.

Here's the rub. The truck is titled and tagged as a 1994, and the VIN comes back to a 1994, but I've discovered several 1995 features since I bought it last May. Which leads me to believe it was a VERY late 94 production. Its got the 1995 dash and instrument cluster layout, 1995 grill and 1994 front brake rotors did NOT fit when we did them, but 1995 brake rotors DID. I've heard from several people that Ford is well known for making such mid year production changes sooooo....

1995 was the first year for drivers side airbag in rangers, yes mine has one. (Another clue its a 1995) When I called Grant to order a new install kit, he said they didnt offer one because of the airbag issue and that Ford MAY have made some changes to the steering wheel shaft to accommodate the airbag. He gave me the PN
s for a 1994 Ranger, but wouldnt promise they would be correct.

Im hoping someone has run into this before and can offer some advice or can tell me if the steering wheel shaft IS different than on a 1994 or offer an alternative Grant Install Kit part number that they have used to install a wheel on a 95 to 97 Ranger.

 

[Andy D]

According to a stamp on the radiator support , the Rat has a build date of Feb 94 It is in yellow ink

 

[Trailrated92]

According to a stamp on the radiator support , the Rat has a build date of Feb 94 It is in yellow ink

Ok, but what is this information supposed to tell ME ? I dont have any idea what "the rat" is

 

[97RangerXLT]

The "Rat" would by Andy D's 94 Ranger. so you might get an idea of when the actual manufacturing date of your 94 by looking at your radiator support for a date stamp. If I recall, there is a metal plate stapled to the radiator support just behind the grille/ drivers headlight area... maybe this is what Andy is referring to.

since you have the new style dash, I am assuming that your steering wheel from the 92 will not work with your Ranger. You might be able to cobble it on somehow, but you will be losing your airbag if you do.

AJ