As some of you have seen in an earlier post, I have been working on my interior. The problem is that all the new stuff now makes my not-so-new stuff show its age. I am mainly referring to my seatbelts and my steering wheel.

I am planning on replacing my seatbelts with black/ebony 4th gen belts. So, that problem is pretty much solved. However, the main problem is the steering wheel. As we all well know, the airbag was standard in the Camaro in 1991. IMO, I don't think an airbag wheel looks that sporty. Also, I sure as heck ain't gonna pay $500 for a reconditioned OEM steering wheel! So, I am wanting to replace the OEM airbag wheel with a non-airbag wheel that fits the appearance of my car better.

[Step onto soapbox]
Yeah, yeah. I know it is against federal law to remove an airbag from a vehicle that was originally equipped with one from the factory. However, you can tell from the lack of my catalytic converters that I don't give a rats-a$$ about what the feds think.....it my car! Now that we have discussed this, there's no need to take this post on the ole' "airbag" tangent. OK?
[Step off soapbox]

continued.....

 

Alrighty then...where were we? Oh yes....my new non-airbag steering wheel!

Question #1:
I have noticed that some places, such as Grant, do not have an installation kit for my 91 Camaro. However, I have seen many cars originally equipped with airbags with custom non-airbag wheels. I talked to Roy Fender about this once and he said he had to mill approximately 1/4" from the back of the steering wheel. Has anyone here have any experience with this?

Question #2:
I would LOVE to have a custom Boyd steering wheel to match my wheels, but that is financially out of the question at this time. So, I am looking for a more moderatly price wheel. I would like something to flow well with my new interior (pic below). What is your opions on these two wheels?

Grant #1067 - Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price: $137.27


Grant #1146 - Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price: $117.74 [eBay = $45.00]


As said earlier, it is important to me that the wheel flows well with my interior. As a reference to those who have not yet seen it, below is a pic of my interior.


Thanks for your opinions! ...and sorry for such a long post!

 

Just use the install kit for an older model, the columns are pretty much all the same for camaros through their run. I have the standard 4 spoker grant in my 91.. I didn't have to do jack aside from yanking the airbag wiring (and the obvious install of the new wheel). Just my experience though...

 

I also have a 4 spoke grant. It began its life in my Black 84' and has moved out into my White 91' (Formerly with an airbag) Same install kit for the 84' as the 91'

 

So, does anyone have any opinions regarding the red/black steering wheels? Think either of these will look good with my interior? Think it would look better with solid black, etc?

I think I am leaning more toward the first one (Grant #1067).

 

I relplaced my airbag wheel with a stock 87 firebird 3 spoke wheel.
I would go for an all black wheel on your car myself.

 

as far as wire removal, what all is involved with that? ive been thinking about a momo myself because everytime it gets humid here my wheel cracks apart in my hand even more.

its a little known fact that the same wheel used in the 91-92 birds were also used in the Lotus Espirit through 97 i believe.

 

90 had the airbag wheel too

I removed the sensor under the center console (i was swapping to a 96 T/A console) and just unplugged it and left the wires, i just cut the wire coming out of the steering column.

 

have you tried any shops in your area to see what it would cost to redo your stock wheel? i personally strongly disagree with you on the looks. the 91-92 wheel is the most modern and best looking wheel out of all of the 3rdgen wheels and when in newer condition has a much greater appeal over any grant wheel you could put in your car. i do agree with you about matching your wheels but that is a pricey investment.

forgetting the fact that your insurance is slightly lower by almost 10% because of the airbag i would try to fix your stock one first before putting a cheaper looking wheel. an older stock wheel will not only date your car but cost you more money down the road and if your insurance isn't giving you a price break you better check because i know i was saving almost 300 a year because of it which is well worth it to me and i had one of the more stingy insurance companies.

 

Kandied91z - That's a great point regarding the insurance. I had not really thought about that. That in itself might make it worth looking more into restoring my stock wheel.

So far the only places that I know where you can purchase a recovered stock wheel has outragous prices! For example, ThirgenResource is $450, Year one is $463, and Hawks is a whopping $520!

 

I recently bought a pristine factory airbag steering wheel off ebay for $32.00 +s/h. Great buy. A friend said I could get the original unit recovered for about 150.00 at an upholstery shop. I don't know about that, but you could ask.

 

Don't forget... some of us don't really care about the car enough for full coverage so, an airbag doesn't mean squat to rates in that case.

 

it's funny you point that out....however airbag's decrease your insurance in any bracket your in just like your alarm and other safety features so if you care about saving money it should matter.



9T1 Z-28 i was told 350 to have mine redone in any style combination possible. it was pricey but it would be very factory looking. i could get you just the wheel from gm for 350 but you would have to pay shipping so it may not be worth it to you. unfortunately they cost a fortune but when they are new they really do look good and the decrease in insurance cost was worth it enough for me. unfortunately when i switched over to a "joyride" insurance coverage the savings aren't as great but it's still around $50 a year.

 

You might wanna check and see if you can find good used one . the one in my car looks just like new aside from plastic corners around the air bag pulling back a tiny amount, not noticable tho

 

a new wheel won't even solve that....the airbag is separate.

 

I know I was saying he could probably find a used one that would look almost as good as reconditioned for a much cheaper price. On a side note, anyone know how to get the corners of the rubber airbag cover back around the "frame" of the airbag. Ive taken it out before and tried to pull it and it doesnt stay..

 

that's pretty much next to impossible beyond heating it up and trying to stretch it. most people cover the actual airbag with some sort of black tape or otherwise so it's less noticeable.