Steering Wheel Interchangability
 

I'm curious as to what my options are when it comes to steering wheels. I have a '92 so I have the airbag wheel. I'd like to have a wheel with radio controls built in, and I want to keep airbag functionality for safety and insurance reasons. I know 4th gen wheels bolt in and they had radio controls 2000-2002, but IMO the are uglyyyyyy.

I did some searching and I'd really like to put in a wheel from the SSR. My main concerns are 1, will it be able to bolt on and 2, will I be able to adapt airbag functionality.

Does anyone have any information about steering wheel compatibility from various model cars (preferably chevys or ones without other maker's logos) or aftermarket wheels with airbag and radio controls?

Re: Steering Wheel Interchangability
 

Airbag should just be a matter of connecting the two wires for it - might have different connectors, but you can splice together the wires yourself with or without connectors. I have no idea on radio controls, or whether an SSR wheel would even fit - it should be same with the metal parts (collar and splines), but the plastics may need altered. It the end, like all mods, big enough hammer and hot enough welder can make anything happen.

Re: Steering Wheel Interchangability
 

Grant makes nice looking aribag wheels now with radio controls. Kinda pricey and Airbag isnt included of course. Im sure they use a newer style GM bag (smaller than the stock ones).

Re: Steering Wheel Interchangability
 

I want to say that an SSR wheel is NOT going to fit/be functional for several reasons.

1. The SSR uses the much larger "keyless" style steering column, which was not around until the late 90s/early 2000s. Steering wheels for these columns are usually much larger than the 1970-02 F-Body style columns, so even if it did bolt up, it'd probably look pretty goofy since the hub of the steering wheel where it mounts to the column is probably several inches wider than the column itself.

2. Different airbag generations. Your Camaro has what's called a first generation airbag system, before they apparently re-did some sort of programming for them, which would be present in an SSR wheel. Additionally, in order for airbag systems to work, you'll also need to get the related airbag electronic module, usually located under the driver's seat in trucks. Then there's the complication of OBD I vs OBD II. Not sure if/how airbags are tied into the diagnostic system, but that's definitely another thing I'd research before attempting this.

I would've liked an airbag and steering wheel controls too, but I ended up settling on a base model Firebird 1985-86 wheel (not knowing that vinyl could crack and look like leather, or else I would've got an 85-86 T/A wheel).

All speculation here; I might be completely wrong in all of my assumptions, but these are nonetheless things I would look into before purchasing.

Re: Steering Wheel Interchangability
 

I'm assuming the two wires are just a ground wire and one the supplies +12v when in an accident? So basically, all steering wheels use the same actual connection?

From what I can tell they don't make any airbag wheels but you can send yours in to them and for $600 they'll recover it and put their logo on it.

1. The stock wheel is already slightly bigger than the column and I don't really think that would look too goofy, plus it's hardly seen from the side anyway.

2. Assuming that the two wires for my current airbag are ground and +12v (when the sensor detects an accident) I could hook up any airbag with the same two wires and everything would still work exactly the same. If it's like a two stage airbag or something like that which requires additional wires I would have to look at a wiring diagram to see if I could still just hook it up with the two and have it work like the one I have now. I wouldn't need the airbag module because I can use the one that I already have. I really have no idea about the technical aspects or airbags but I know the have an explosive charge that sets them off. I'm assuming it just gets +12v and BAM, which would mean that the OBD wouldn't be able to diagnose the airbag itself at all besides if it's connected because it's a "dumb" component, only the sensor and such. Plus the SSR wheel is from like 2002-2006 if I remember correctly, and the Camaro wheels with radio controls were available in 2002 so the bags may be pretty much the same.



I'll try to find wiring diagrams for the airbag stuff for Camaros and SSRs and see what I can figure out. Electronic stuff I can work with...I've pretty much re-wired the whole car and have been modernizing a lot, adding convenience things. etc so that's not a problem, my biggest question was if it would bolt on.

Re: Steering Wheel Interchangability
 

Let us know what you find out for sure -- guess there would be no cost-effective way to test and see if the airbag is actually functional once it's in, but still interested to know what you find out and if this is feasible.

Re: Steering Wheel Interchangability
 

http://www.grantproducts.com/product...ns/automotive/

grants line of airbag wheels

Re: Steering Wheel Interchangability
 

I do not know if it would bolt on or not but it very well might. May or may not need trimming. I do know that our airbags are exactly as you think one + 12v and one ground in the connector. Apply 12 V and good ground and poof it will go off. Mine was splitting with age and got a different wheel so I gave it away and the friend immediately hooked it up to a battery. If that works then you would need to fish the steering wheel control wires for the radio down the column. As some non airbag cars had them I would assume that there is room for the wires but you may have to fish individual wires down if the connector doesn't fit then properly repin the connector.

Re: Steering Wheel Interchangability
 

Maybe they don't send back the wheel you send them but still, all they are doing is recovering factory wheels.