2001 to 2004 Steering Wheel and Air Bag swap w/ cruise controls.
 

Note: Anyone considering this modification may want to investigate the airbag recall mentioned here: http://www.fordrangerforum.com/inter...ghlight=airbag

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So... I had a fun morning.

I have heard that swapping the steering wheel in a 2001 truck to a 2004-2006 style steering wheel was and wasn't possible, mostly due to electronics and the airbag connectors being different. Well... today I found out that it is totally doable.

I purchased a brand new 2004 Ford Ranger steering wheel w/ cruise controls on eBay as well as an airbag from a 2004 Ranger to see if I could give it a shot. Rented a steering wheel puller from O'Reilly's this morning, removed the airbag and pulled off my original steering wheel, which turned out to be a simple process. Grabbed my new 2004 steering wheel, fed the airbag connector through and slid it on to the shaft partially - perfect fit. Put the Torx head bolt back on and tightened it down. Connected the cruise control plug to my clockspring and it was a PERFECT fit. Turned on my parking lights, and the pods lit up. Got ready to connect my 2004 airbag.. and had a slight issue. It uses the SAME connector, but if you look closely on the male connector coming from the clockspring, you'll notice that there is a little "fin" leading down the side that is in a different spot than the 2004 connector. I took a utility knife and carefully shaved off that fin until the fin was gone. Tried plugging it in to the airbag again, and what do you know - it clicked into place perfectly. Mounted the airbag into the steering wheel with the two bolts in the sides of the wheel, started up my truck and low and behold... no airbag faults! Light came on for a few seconds like usual and went out. Drove down the road, to work and back today and gave the cruise control a spin. No issues whatsoever, all of the buttons work beautifully.

So if you're interested in doing the swap... I can confirm that it is 100% possible for 2001-2003 Ford Rangers with the slight modification to the airbag connector (removing the fin from the male end coming from the clockspring). Might work for some previous years, but I am not sure.

Gotta admit, I like the style of the new wheel better. Plus it's a newer style airbag that's a bit safer than the older models.

Before:
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/attac...10215-1913-jpg

After:
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/attac...36907758_n-jpg

Now i wonder if its possible for a 99

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Re: 2001 to 2004 Steering Wheel and Air Bag swap w/ cruise controls.
 

+1

+2

Re: 2001 to 2004 Steering Wheel and Air Bag swap w/ cruise controls.
 

I'll be heading to the JY (heaven) pretty soon, so I'll pull an airbag from a 99 Ranger and see what the cruise control plug and shaft splines look like. If they're the same as mine (very possible) then it'll work. If you don't have cruise controls, then all you'll have to worry about is the shaft splines. I believe they are the same from 95 and up, but don't quote me on that just yet.

If it works for a 99. I will definitely be adding to my to do list. I love that 04-06 style steering wheel.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD to your Potato III

I would love the 04 steering wheel on mine, I hate the cruise control buttons on mine

Much appreciated!

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD to your Potato III

X2

Sent from my iPhone 5 so I can tell you to search wherever I may be

Hmmmm. Subscribed.

Re: 2001 to 2004 Steering Wheel and Air Bag swap w/ cruise controls.
 

Looking good!

Now to find the black leather version.......

Re: 2001 to 2004 Steering Wheel and Air Bag swap w/ cruise controls.
 

Awesome! I almost bought one but no one could tell me if they would work, now i know.

Re: 2001 to 2004 Steering Wheel and Air Bag swap w/ cruise controls.
 

Guys - -start searching those junkyards!!!

Grab an extra one for me - I'm in the market ;)

Lol

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Re: 2001 to 2004 Steering Wheel and Air Bag swap w/ cruise controls.