Steering Wheel help needed.

[JoshT]

Hey folks hit a little bit of a snag yesterday. Apparently I don't know my own strength and not the right cruise control pod is hanging by the wires. Since I've got to replace it and my steering wheel looks like crap due to years of wear I just want to replace the whole assembly. Now my airbag is fine no need to replace it so I'm looking for a better condition steering wheel and possibly better looking upgrade that had lighted cruise control pods and will accept my 99 Ranger's airbag. Any suggestions at to what vehicles I may be able to scavenge one off of? Also if anyone has a spare with the lighted pods that they could sell I might be interested, the junkyards here royally suck!

Thanks,
-Josh

 

[JoshT]

Any chance that a 94-04 Mustang steering wheel would fit?

 

[JoshT]

Shameless bump!

Does anyone know what is under the leather on these factory leather wheels? Is it a standard vinyl steering wheel under there? If so I'll probably just pull off the leather and get one of those vinyl lace on covers for it, or maybe spend some money on a Wheelskins Europref leather cover.

 

[Mark_88]

If you have junkyard nearby, it might be worth your while to go and take the steering wheel off a few vehicles and just compare them...once you know how your steering wheel is attached you can find ones that will work with your steering column...

But you will need a wheel puller either way unless you have other tools to do the job...I have a few pullers that I bought for various things but I've never tried them on a steering wheel...

When I replaced my steering wheel (went from tilt/cruise control to standard) I just disconnected the entire column and swapped in the other one...and with the exception of the trim not matching up (because tilt steering uses a shorter trim piece) it worked out well...

Kinda wishing that I'd left the power steering in though...

 

[JoshT]

I wish. If I had any good yards here I wouldn't be posting. Well I have got one more I am going to try since I did see a few newer rangers, but if they are like the others only wanting to sell the complete column for $150 they can keep what ever they have. I'm not even sure if that yard will even let me go back on my own. They have a few times but only to look, then I had to get their guy to do the removal. Last time I said I was going to get a complete rear axle in a week or two, and haven't been back since.

 

[Mark_88]

I guess it depends on where you are...here in Canada they let us wander about without too much intervention...I've spent whole days in the yards taking things apart just to see how they work...and that is the best learning experience you'll ever get...

The wheels themselves usually attach to the column with a single nut and are covered by the center padding...they are actually easy to remove with the right wheel puller...