im fed up with my steering wheel oozing black glue on my clothes/ interior.
im looking around to find a guy to rewrap it and in the same process make it a wider grip. i dont want an aftermarket wheel because i will loose my cruise controls (which is all there is between me and johnny popo)
i like the 4 spoke 94-0x wheel that came in the gt's and cobras (black or grey leather) that has the cruise buttons up each side of the airbag
is it possible to fit this sucker into my 88 bird? also, since i dont have nor want airbags... does anyone make dummy airbags or covers to fill the spot in the middle of the wheel? like a cover or maybe an airbag that cant explode?
someone here will know what im looking for i hope
I hate to suggest something that's been done a million times already, but have you considered swapping a TC/Sport/XR-7 steering wheel into the car?
You lose the goo but keep the cruise buttons. Plus, it looks cool.
If you could swap an SN95 or MN12 wheel into the car, I don't see why you can't remove the airbag and put the cover (horn pad) back onto the wheel.
The airbag is the cover on Sn95's. UPR makes an airbag delete for around $70-80 that looks pretty good.
Well, since these cars never had an airbag, and thus no airbag sensors or wiring...why even worry about it!? ;)
Also, the shafts may or may not be the same. Another thing to consider is that different steering wheels have different offstes and depths.
For example: a base/lx Tbird wheel will physically fit an Escort GT column, but not enough to be able to bolt down, or turn.
I'd not worry about the airbag whatsoever, as long as the wheel fits and looks good. :D
PS, i have a decent wheel from my base Bird...needs a horn button.
(http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/FR500wheel/FR500wheel1.jpg)
like that, only i dont care if it says cobra or not, just the style
yeah im not concerned with the airbag system whatso ever (since the car dosent have one)
i just dont want something explosive sitting in front of me, so the delete kit is a must.
honestly i like my wheel design i have now out of the 87-88 fox steering wheels, it fits the bland design of the dash.
if i were going to keep that style wheel ill just get mine rewrapped and fitted with a thicker grip. i just thought it would be totally sweet to have a new wheel. especailly a 4 spoke design (cause ive never seen another bird with a new ford wheel)
plus it looks like the same thickness and design of the steering wheel of my dads land cruiser, which i think is comfey.
Trust me...with no sensors, and no wiring to it..it will NOT explode.
All the airbag module contains is the bag and the sodium powder.
It has to have a signal to make it go off. For that matter...you can take it apart, and cut it all out..but then again, those things sell for a few bucks..you may be money ahead to buy the delete piece, and sell the 'bag module. :D
ill go for the delete lol
how hard is it to get my current wheel off?
it looks like its a giant bolt and a few wires under my horn pad... but i know its not that easy (cause its a ford)
its that easy. pull the horn button, loosen the bolt a little, pull and give it a whack with a hammer, and it should pop loose. If not pull the bolt and get a puller.
sweetness..
okay, what do i need to measure to cross reference wheels?
also, are all the cruise buttons the same wireing wise? like will a newer wheel (if it fits) hook right into my system if it has the same buttons?
these wheels have a set of pr0ngs that run on a disc on the column, I doubt a new wheel will work. Look into wheels out of older mustangs.
'87 or '88 Mustang GT steering wheel.Slightly different than a Turbo Coupe steering wheel,but just as thick and it also has the cruise buttons.
I got it backwards. The wheel has the disc, which rides on pr0ngs on the column.
Might leave an old socket (or your friend's best socket lol) on the bolt before you smack the piss out of it.
Make sure to put a dab of Loc-Tite on there again...not cool when your wheel comes off in your hand while going 65 down a highway lol
As far as what fits...not real sure...personally, i think the wheel out of '91 or '92 Stang would look good, myself.
I'd be willing to bet that a majority of wheels would interchange as far as the cruise controls were concerned.
Ford most likely kept the same general layout of the steering column across the board.
Have you thought of a Grant GT wheel? Thunderchicken put one in his car, and installed cruise buttons in the lower trim on the dash.
I thought it was tits-up, myself. :D
I need to see a picure of Thunderchicken's setup.
Here's the thread, but it's been awhile, the pics aren't showing up anymore. Maybe Carmen will put em up again, lol
THREAD! (http://"http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=4622&highlight=cruise+buttons") :hick:
you guys are rednecks... DONT beat on the steering shaft!!! use a puller! the loctite, isn't a bad Idea but unnessasary, think about how difficult it will be to change the wheel if you have to again..... not fun.... I am using an '87-'88 Stang wheel with CC. the newer style have a deeper height and make your arms feel weird and out of wack. I tried an MN12 supercharged XR-7 wheel before and it fit, but moved the position of my hands closer to my body and didn't feel comfortable at all.
There is no reason to beat on the shaft. Just use a puller.
now i'm not 100% sure but i thought i heard if you use an airbag wheel on a non airbag wheel column the wheel will be upside down
Somebody called my name? :D
Yes, I did install a Grant GT wheel and relocated the cruise buttons. Pics are below. When I did it, it was out of necessity - my original stock steering wheel's contact rings had come apart. It was easy to do and worked perfectly, but I decided I didn't like the Grant wheel and have since reverted to a stock TC wheel with the cruise buttons where God intended 'em.
From what I've read you can swap the clockspring out and put the old style connection disc in its place. Then all would be well. Also for a non air-bag horn pad. Head over to the Junk yard and find a blown air bag that fits the wheel your using then fill the old air bag spot with old towels and such. Then glue it closed. Worked for me on my 94 cougar no more air bag until I get the cash for a new one.
screw it, ill just try and find some guy to rewrap mine and add some foam. a new one sounds like a royal pain to find and match, plus id rather spend big bucks on mechanicals and important stuff instead of the interior.
I will admit, if i had to relocate my cruise buttons, thats where theyd be going lol.
thanks for all the help, ill be sure to write up whatever it is i end up doing..
ill be sure to get a puller, i may be half redneck but i know beating on a ford only breaks it more lol
Shhhh....that's what I do to fix mine! :hick:
nah I did it to mine poped right off. Beat a chevy and it breaks, beat a ford it beats you back!
To which I say, being a good deal redneck myself, lol...
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb278/CheroTags/FordForum/e034f04e.jpg)
I have the same wheel in my 95 and it already has a Bird logo ;)
reminds me of the time i pulled the wheel off my old 75 van. Didn't have a puller when i was 19. and clocked myself with it as i was pulling to get it off. lol
Pow right in the kisser!
that would look good in my car (and the matching tbird logo would be great)
too bad it wont work haha
pics?
i guess i coulda googled it before i replyed, but is it like this?
(http://www-act.ucsd.edu/staff/mrandolp/95SC_9.jpg)
Yep like that :D
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa33/thunderjet302/95%20tbird/95birdintfrnt.jpg?t=1196268253)
Hey Thunderchicken,how hard is it to re-route the wires for the cruise buttons?That's one of those little things about the car I've never had to mess with.
Not hard at all - drop the plastic shroud on the column and the wires are there. You don't have to cut any wires - just tap into them and run wires to the new location.
Check that - if using a stock-style steering wheel or an adapter with three rings you don't have to cut any. If using an adapter like the one I have (two rings - one wide and one skinny) you have to cut the blue wire. Otherwise every time you press a cruise button the horn will honk :hick: And yes, I found that out by experience.
Thanks a lot.