3rd Gen Steering Wheel Swap?

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I went on a search for 4Runner steering wheel swaps. There are wheels out there from Toyota that seem a lot nicer than our current wheels, and well, mines cracking anyway. Searched Yotatech, found a thread from 03 about the same idea. I can imagine that Toyota, with their consistency of using the same style parts, would have another steering wheel that could directly swap into a 3rd gen.

My reasoning behind it is that I'd like to keep an airbag and I'd like to have steering wheel controls, all the while having a nicer, sportier wheel. My mom has a 4th gen, some suggested using that wheel. After some thought, I've decided the steering wheel in it is atrocious. Aftermarket radios, such as the Kenwood DNX7100 installed in that same 4th gen, accept steering wheel controls from any brand vehicle. I believe it's a 3.5mm jack, anyway.

For example: This is the Corolla, Celica, Matrix wheel. I have seen these swapped into Tacomas before. It is cool, though it does not have steering wheel controls.

My favorite and #1 choice so far is a new Rav4 Steering wheel. If I could swap this into a 3rd Gen 4Runner, I think we could have a new mod here. It's a sweet looking wheel, and I'd be able to utilize the steering wheel controls with my aftermarket radio. Sure, it's got a lot of other buttons we wouldn't be able to use, but it still looks good. Maybe a Toyota Technician might know this answer.

Do these, or any other Toyota wheels with controls, fit the spline shaft (or whatever the wheel connects to) for our existing steering wheel, etc? I've never had my steering wheel off, mind you.

Obviously, any other knowledge of steering wheel fitment is appreciated.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

bumpity bump.

No interest in steering wheel swaps?

I read this thread of Custom Tacos and apparently it IS doable.

http://www.customtacos.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100634

 

[JohnsD90]

Good luck, i hope the airbag plug is the same on all of the wheels, other than that, pull your mom's wheel off and see if it fits, thats what i would do. Wiring the steering wheel controls will be a ***** but it is possible.

 

[JWaldz]

It may be do-able but only to those willing to go through it all. I'd like to see it done, but I probably wouldn't spend the money to do it.

 

[nrgwar]

I would not mind swapping out my old nasty wheel for a newer one with radio control buttons keep us posted on what you find!!!

 

[A.Wilson013]

I feel like I have seen someone on here with a GX470 wheel... I could be crazy though.

Where there is a will, COB, there is a way. I would say that if anyone could accomplish making this a reality, it would be you.

 

[Montreal2013]

interested as well

 

[Ed_C]

Splines are the same,use a PAC SWI-JACK to utilize the steering wheel controls.

 

[bpowa]

I already asked a question about a wheel swap.. search my postings.

 

[pattycakes77]

The air bag is what I would be worried about. Compatibility between a new air bag and any old sensors and airbag control modules could be an issue. Working in a body shop, whenever we have to replace airbags we defer to manufacture recommendations which usually results in swapping out bags, modules, and sometimes sensors.

I like the 3rd gen wheel, but the leather on mine is toast. Wheelskins steering wheel covers are a nice replacement and fairly inexpensive (compared to a new wheel), but radio controls would be a nice addition.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I already asked a question about a wheel swap.. search my postings.

If you look at the date of this thread, you'll see that I asked this question years before you joined the site.

 

[MadRunner]

I said keep it stock.

 

[IBallEngineer]

The air bag is what I would be worried about. Compatibility between a new air bag and any old sensors and airbag control modules could be an issue. Working in a body shop, whenever we have to replace airbags we defer to manufacture recommendations which usually results in swapping out bags, modules, and sometimes sensors.

.

I know this is an older thread, but I just couldn't NOT comment on this. The manufacturer recommendations are only of use to parts sales persons. Mercedes recommends you replace the steering column after the air bag deploys on some models. Pffft. They want the cars to total, they want to sell you modules and seat belts and anything else they can find if you don't total it. It's total bull. And for reference I owned my own body shop for 14 yrs.
OK< sorry for the mini hijack, as you were.

Remember if it works, don't just fix it, take it apart and find out why!

 

[bpowa]

If you look at the date of this thread, you'll see that I asked this question years before you joined the site.

I did not say it to be an ass. Just sharing info if on my thread. I still wonder if anyone did this and what steering works. With what outcome. I don't think anyone actually did a swap and shared it.

 

[pattycakes77]

I know this is an older thread, but I just couldn't NOT comment on this. The manufacturer recommendations are only of use to parts sales persons. Mercedes recommends you replace the steering column after the air bag deploys on some models. Pffft. They want the cars to total, they want to sell you modules and seat belts and anything else they can find if you don't total it. It's total bull. And for reference I owned my own body shop for 14 yrs.
OK< sorry for the mini hijack, as you were.

Remember if it works, don't just fix it, take it apart and find out why!

I agree with most of what you say. But, swapping a steering wheel from a 2013 into say a 1998, I could foresee there being compatibility issues between airbag systems with a 15 year difference. I would just hate to find out that the airbag systems weren't compatible by not deploying when I needed it to.

Insurance companies require us to replace things if there is a little scratch or chip even if it's still in working order, it's wasteful. And then you see the price of some of these things! I had to replace a grille on a newer Mazda the other day because one tab was broken that didn't really even affect anything, cost of the grille was almost $600! But, we get in trouble if we don't fix things back to like new where the accident damage occurred.

In this day and age of lawsuits and lawyers I can understand why they want everything to be replaced to keep their liabilities down in case of litigation. It's sad that there is so much waste and needless parts replacement just because people will use any excuse to sue and get a payday.

 

[TheArkMaster]

That'd be nice to have. I love the controls on my mom's maxima! So easy.

 

[Canuckrz]

My concern would be the differences in the clockspring/spiral cable and its fitment not so much the spline and so fourth.

 

[Useless Hashtag]

did this ever happen?

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

did this ever happen?

I never did. Friend of mine gave me a leather wheel from an SR5 and I eventually got over the steering wheel control idea.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

I can confirm that Celica and MR2 wheels fit from a similar age..

I also can confirm that a '99 LS400 wheel fits.

I fitted the steering wheel from my LS400 donor car as I thought it'd be kinda nice to "drive" the engine with the same steering wheel... that and I still had the disguising plastic 2 spoke one.

On swapping them, right over, the airbag plug is different on the Hilux/4Runner spiral cable thingy (for want of a better name) so I swapped the spiral cable thingy over from the LS400 and it was all a direct swap. It also provided wires for the horn, cruise, and other steering wheel mounted buttons, which I have not yet done anything with.

Luckily the colour match was perfect for my interior, and the LS400 wheel is exactly the same diameter as the factory Hilux one.. (although everyone says it looks bigger)