Are there any caveats to swapping out my Airbag-filled Factory Steering Wheel for an older Non-Airbag Steering Wheel or other 3rd party Steering Wheels?

My main concern(s) are either setting off the airbag or having an indicator light staying on.

Steve C - RI

 

Before you begin, pull the SRS fuse. That will prevent an accidental deployment.
Right off the top of my head I can think of the horn buttons. Totally different setup.
Seems like there's also a pin so that the wheel will only go on one way, and that pin is different between the 2 different styles.

Can I ask how come you would consider going to the old style wheel? They're large and skinny looking, in the new style interior of your 91.

 

I took off my ugly stock wheel in favor of a Grant wheel. Pull the SIR fuse and after yoiu remove the air bag, store it with the face up. You will need to remove the SIR coil (be very careful and don't break it if you ever plan on putting your original wheel back on) and buy the Grant 82-89 mount kit. To turn the indicator light off, you'll have to remove the gauge cluster and pull the bulb.

 

Not really looking at the older wheel as much as entertaining a somewhat stock option for getting rid of the airbag wheel.

Steve C - RI

 

How swappable are the 3rd gen steering columns?

I know my ignition key has what looks to be a security add-on (Brass Looking Raised "-" on the Key).

My Tilt Knuckle is a little sloppy as well, so if I could swap out the whole column and kill two birds with one stone, that'd work.

Steve C - RI

 

Swappable as in for another 3RD gen column? Pretty easily. Like 5 bolts and a few plugs once the interior panel and its brace is off. That brass piece on your key is a resistor that you will need. It's the resistor that the VATS system looks for before engaging the starter and injectors. You can do a search on here for "VATS" and find the ways to bypass it. There is one more thing. If you do decide to go with an older style column, the wipers are going to be an issue. I'm not sure how to get around that, as when I swapped mine (I too did the whole column) my wipers worked fine, as they did not, with the older column in it. Hell come to think of it I have the older column and wheel still, so if you need any of it, pay for shipping and it's yours. I don't have the center cap for the wheel though, just so you know.

 

PM Sent

 

Because it's a bulky ugly looking steering wheel and airbags are horrible. The steering wheel in my 82 was excellent.

 

You might want to look into the legal issue with tampering with a passive restraint/air bag.

 

I find it UNCONSCIONABLE any one would want to disable or remove an SRS.

As far as aftermarket steering wheels, every used vehicle I have purchased with an aftermarket steering wheel had problems. Ether the horn didn't work, blinkers didn't cancel, etc. Not to mention the Jury-Rigged aftermarket mounting hardware, that would NEVER pass Federal Regulations! Come on guys, were talking about the device that connects the drivers HANDS to the steering system!

My 89 IROC Z Vert came w/ an aftermarket steering wheel. I purchased a stock wheel and will install it, just like I did with EVERY vehicle I have bought, with aftermarket steering wheels.

 

LOL Gen 1 airbags are as dangerous as no airbag at all. They're a violent explosive device.

Generally on my nicer thirdgens I leave the airbag alone, but on the beaters and projects the airbag is disconnected as soon as possible. The more time passes, the more I doubt the safety of a 30 year old airbag.

Pull the airbag fuse and the system is disarmed. Remove the bulb from the cluster and the warning light goes away (duh). Pull the clock spring assembly out of the column and clip the wire, pull the rest of the harness out the bottom of the column, throw the parts away.

Went a step further on my latest project. Stripped the airbag harness and all the sensors from the entire car. Fark that garbage.



Photo doesn't do this cancerous crap justice. The harness goes everywhere in the car, lots of bulk.

 

Drew, how about a link to studies supporting your claim? I recall some early air bags being too powerful for small women, who tend to sit too close to the steering wheel, but I never any stats showing them to be worse than none at all.

 

Replaced the airbag wheel twenty years ago with a used MOMO wheel I had...used their adapter. Removed all the yellow wire harness from the column when I did it. Still have all the old parts in a crate in the shed. Have never seen a reason to change from the MOMO wheel I installed...it's still in good shape and is a better wheel for track/autocross.
-Rich

 

Anyone try using a 94/96 truck wheel & air bag??
Yes, leather. Looks possible unless i blow the bag on reconnect.