Back in the day it was very simple to replace the steering wheel. Take out one big nut and that was it. Airbags changed all that but I still see modern Jeeps with aftermarket steering wheels. How is it done?
I'd rather have an airbag in front of me than a cool aftermarket steering wheel. I can live with the OE steering wheel, I would rather worry about function than form. I'd feel especially stupid and pissed at myself if I had removed my airbag and found myself in intensive care in the hospital with major face/chest injuries after some kind of a major frontal accident.
You can buy the factory replacement steering wheels that are not wrapped in leather (so its just plastic) for about 60$. That's my plan of action as I've pretty much worn a hole in the top of my steering wheel.
I can't link to it, but go to dontfearthejeeper.com. Put in your jeep info, choose steering column, then steering wheel and then look for steering wheel w/o leather. They have it for 53$.
The only type I like are the leather covers that are laced on. They fit so well and are so tight that they don't feel like a cheap cover, they feel and look good. Which reminds me I would like to get one for my '04 like I had on my previous '97.
i have an aftermarket wheel in my jeep... personally i like it better... i asked my insurance about it and they did not say anything about throwing a fit about it. so, i did it.
anyways, you have to pull out the airbag, steering wheel and i had to pull out the clockspring (adapter interfered with it) and sold it.
use the steering wheel adapter for a YJ, it will fit a TJ. its what i have on mine.
Just try to get something in writing from the insurance company that they will cover your and your passengers injuries when you happen to have a major accident and your airbags were removed because you do not like the look of the steering wheel.
use an ohm meter and test the airbags resistance, then put a resistor of the same resistance in the airbag plug in, so the computer doesent know it gone
If you're looking for information on how to remove the airbag / steer wheel. It's a intermediate task.
I'm not reliable for how you use my information-
I strongly suggest disconnecting the battery and possibly the fuses as well.
There are two bolts behide the steer wheel. Remove those and Carefully Lift horn/airbag out. There should be two wires on there if It's just a basic Jeep Steering wheel with no cruise control or Toggles.
One is in the center which is alittle had to unclamp and one that mounted under a bolt.
After that you should be at the bolt and under that is a clock spring, Which it's easy to break its three points that snaps it in place.
I hope this may help. But I suggest asking and looking at diagrams or talking to another member who is more experienced than I am on this....and I'm not reliable.
Once again im the odd one. I put a Grant steering wheel in my 01. Take the airbag out...removed the passenger one as well, then replacing the steering wheel is as simple as on the older vehicles. There is some important precautions to take if you do this to keep the airbag from deploying, but nothing hard about it. Not to mention i sold the airbags as well as the controller for 300 a piece on fleabay. I have no use for airbags personally, been a career firefighter for 12 years so be careful before flaming me on this. On my new 06 i will prolly leave the stock wheel as its got my cruise and all that tied into it. But eventually im sure ill design a way around that. Its all personnel preference of c ourse just sharing what i personally do. To each his own
Once again im the odd one. I put a Grant steering wheel in my 01. Take the airbag out...removed the passenger one as well, then replacing the steering wheel is as simple as on the older vehicles. There is some important precautions to take if you do this to keep the airbag from deploying, but nothing hard about it. Not to mention i sold the airbags as well as the controller for 300 a piece on fleabay. I have no use for airbags personally, been a career firefighter for 12 years so be careful before flaming me on this. On my new 06 i will prolly leave the stock wheel as its got my cruise and all that tied into it. But eventually im sure ill design a way around that. Its all personnel preference of c ourse just sharing what i personally do. To each his own
I have seen guys bottom out on cars and air bags go off. if you a real jeeper.... then you remove your airbag. because you certainly don't want it going off on the trail at wrong time and possibly killing you. those of you who are not REAL jeepers and driving on street...have no valid points...go back and turn on your AC and radio.
genright are the real jeep guys...check this one out they did.
Not to mention no amount of up/down impact will set the airbag off. Not many truly understand the airbag system and what is required to set it off. Like the above.
So I do like the look of the KJ Liberty steering wheel and the little horn hub with the bag in it. Harkens back to the AMC era. So here is my question:
Has anyone put a JK steering wheel into a TJ with a fully operational airbag/horn system?
Is the spline count between the two shafts the same?
I was actually trying to get the info together about whether a Wj steering wheel would work in my 2002. Can't find too much info on this. Was going to use the same model year.
was this post about how to put a different steering wheel on a TJ? I am going to put a Grant on my TJ and glad to know that I can use a YJ adapter to get it to work. Start another thread about "safety issues" , but keep this one about how to put a steering wheel on a TJ. And if you must know yes my air bag is bad, and so is the wiring, and computer. Just my 2 cents.
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