I would like to swap the big ugly airbag wheel on my 90 IROC for the 85-89 style 3-spoke wheel.
Does anyone know if the older wheel will mate up with the 90 column, if the horn button lead is the same, and if there are any tips to the process like how not to blow the airbag or fitment issues.

 

There's a fuse in the fuse box for the airbag - pull it. Also, there's a yellow wire under driver side dash - it will be marked as being the airbag wire, has a connector in it, disconnect that. Then there are 4 screws on the back of the steering wheel to remove, and the air bag comes right off the wheel as a whole unit - there's another plug under the airbag to disconnect.

If you'd like to retain an airbag for safety, a whole 4th gen steering wheel is a direct replacement - the only difference is the air bag connector is a different size, and you have to connect the wires by soldering or crimping.

 

Thanks for the info!
Do you know if the 89 and older wheel will bolt up right as well?

 

I would like to know also. My wheel is off for other work but do not want to put it back on.

 

You have to remove the steering wheel, and the coil for the airbag. Then the old style steering wheel will slip right on, and the horn hook up is exactly the same. The only catch is that the plastic collar on the old steering wheel seems to rub the plastic column housing sometimes. Well, that and every 3 spoke leather steering wheel is wore out.

 

Thanks Drew!
Think Im going to go with a refurbished wheel then, kinda expensive but keeps the factory look vs. an afermarket prod.

 

+1 for the plastic cover being too long. Just grab one of those from a JY column too and you're set

 

i got mine off, and got the 3 spoke in but it seems to be to tight? if i can say that? a buddy of my dads works at a caddy dealership as a mechanic he put it on and said i needed an adaptor of some sort

 

If the plastic at the base is rubbing you may need to trim it a little. Or trim the plastic column cover a little bigger. It does fit but will not bolt down tight with out doing the trimming.

 

How do i go about doing this?

 

What I did was guestimate how much actually needed to come off the plastic collar and carefully put a piece of masking tape, with the edge at that distance, and sanded carefully up to the masking tape. When close I stopped using power tools and went to sanding blocks for a straighter finished edge. I believe I took about 3/16 off but am not sure anymore. I wanted a minimal gap between the column plastic and steering wheel collar.

 

A word of caution, it is illegal to remove a vehicle's saftey restraints/mechanisms. If you have to pass a visual safety inspection by your state, there would exist a "small" possibility that you could fail. Also, if you were to be in an accident where you were injured and an insurance adjuster knew about the car missing an airbag, they may not pay out. All that being said, I still plan on installing a Grant wheel.