Steering Wheel Swap Mod

Mytoy4

Mytoy4

New member
Does anyone know if this mod can be done and how hard it would be?

While my 4Runner's been in the shop getting the hail damage fixed, I've been driving a rental (2013 Ford Escape). I really like the steering wheel with the controls on them and thought it'd be a nice upgrade to mine if it wasn't too much trouble.





 
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Wood grain is for classic cars, wood really has no business on modern cars. Even some of the higher end luxury cars look tacky with wood IMHO.

I don't know what the spline count/size of the steering shaft in the Escape is. Nor do I know how they manage their controls and airbags.

It'd be a ridiculously difficult endevour to try and fit that on the 4Runner and make it work without disabling the airbag among other issues.
 
BlackWorksInc said:
Wood grain is for classic cars, wood really has no business on modern cars. Even some of the higher end luxury cars look tacky with wood IMHO.

I don't know what the spline count/size of the steering shaft in the Escape is. Nor do I know how they manage their controls and airbags.

It'd be a ridiculously difficult endevour to try and fit that on the 4Runner and make it work without disabling the airbag among other issues.
Click to expand...

Oh gosh, I should have elaborated. I'm sorry!

I want to switch out my 07 steering wheel for a 4R 08-09 steering wheel. Not a steering wheel from the Escape.
 
Mytoy4 said:
Oh gosh, I should have elaborated. I'm sorry!

I want to switch out my 07 steering wheel for a 4R 08-09 steering wheel. Not a steering wheel from the Escape.
Click to expand...

You should be able to switch but it's NOT cheap. Unless you can find one from a junk yard.
 
Oh, if you're going 4th gen to 4th gen it shouldn't be an issue. Though the steering wheel itself is expensive...

Did I miss something? an '07 Steering wheel should be the same as an '03-'09. Very little changed in regards to the steering wheel on the 4th gen, save for buttons which I think you can buy seperately and install as long as your steering wheel has the blank spots.
 
BlackWorksInc said:
Oh, if you're going 4th gen to 4th gen it shouldn't be an issue. Though the steering wheel itself is expensive...

Did I miss something? an '07 Steering wheel should be the same as an '03-'09. Very little changed in regards to the steering wheel on the 4th gen, save for buttons which I think you can buy seperately and install as long as your steering wheel has the blank spots.
Click to expand...

If If you look at the pictures I posted, you'll see that the top one has no spot for buttons. This is what mine looks like. The bottom one is an 09. I was also curious if the wiring and all could be done to the sterio to make it work. Does that make sense?
 
97BlackAckCL said:
It's doable Terri, but you're going to have to get a new airbag as well
Click to expand...

I understand that part. I won't have any issue buying what I need. I guess my main question is - is will an 09 steering wheel fit an 07. Because they added the buttons for later models, I didn't know if they changed the design at all causing it not to fit an 07.
Also, I'm sure there will be some wiring that will need to be done so that the steering wheel buttons control the radio and such. Does the 07 have the capability to handle this?
I don't want to buy this new steering wheel and it just be for looks. I need it to properly function.
 
Mytoy4, if you really want those steering controls, I believe you can. Here are some thread I found with some information.

As far as your belief that wood doesn't belong on our trucks, I agree!! There is a kit out there that in place of the wood grain on the steering wheel, it's a "grain" (gray wood) that comes very close to matching the interior grain that on the console and doors. Very cool.

link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...4-woodgrain-steering-wheel-5.html#post1308143

Anyway, hope these help:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/52854-want-order-steering-wheel-controls-toyota.html

Adding audio controls to steering wheel - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...grade-steering-wheel-have-radio-controls.html

In short, you can get it down in theory, but looks very expensive. Hope these threads help!

:yo:

EDIT: 09 steering wheel WILL fit 07 4R. Only changes in this generation 4Runner was the addition of BT buttons (right side) in 2005. Otherwise the steering wheels are all pretty much the same (mounting and all).
 
Last edited:
Wood grain is the shit! I love my steering wheel. It may not "match" the look of the interior but it feels oh so good when I'm driving it!
 
CookieRoe said:
Mytoy4, if you really want those steering controls, I believe you can. Here are some thread I found with some information.

As far as your belief that wood doesn't belong on our trucks, I agree!! There is a kit out there that in place of the wood grain on the steering wheel, it's a "grain" (gray wood) that comes very close to matching the interior grain that on the console and doors. Very cool.

link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...4-woodgrain-steering-wheel-5.html#post1308143

Anyway, hope these help:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/52854-want-order-steering-wheel-controls-toyota.html

Adding audio controls to steering wheel - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...grade-steering-wheel-have-radio-controls.html

In short, you can get it down in theory, but looks very expensive. Hope these threads help!

:yo:

EDIT: 09 steering wheel WILL fit 07 4R. Only changes in this generation 4Runner was the addition of BT buttons (right side) in 2005. Otherwise the steering wheels are all pretty much the same (mounting and all).
Click to expand...

Thank you! This is exactly what I needed.
 
JustSomeName said:
Wood grain is the shit! I love my steering wheel. It may not "match" the look of the interior but it feels oh so good when I'm driving it!
Click to expand...

Can you post a photo?



As far as doing a steering wheel swap i have seen a really cool looking wheel that has some weird curves, I will see if I can find a picture
 
kevinpt said:
Can you post a photo?

As far as doing a steering wheel swap i have seen a really cool looking wheel that has some weird curves, I will see if I can find a picture
Click to expand...

I'm at my work computer right now and don't have a good picture of it, but here's a smaller version of my setup, I'll post a high quality picture when I get home, I've got many more images of it on my personal computer

7460.jpg


Here's the thread for more info about the mod:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...ccessories/5984-woodgrain-steering-wheel.html
 
Mytoy4 said:
I understand that part. I won't have any issue buying what I need. I guess my main question is - is will an 09 steering wheel fit an 07. Because they added the buttons for later models, I didn't know if they changed the design at all causing it not to fit an 07.
Also, I'm sure there will be some wiring that will need to be done so that the steering wheel buttons control the radio and such. Does the 07 have the capability to handle this?
I don't want to buy this new steering wheel and it just be for looks. I need it to properly function.
Click to expand...

Yep shouldn't be an issue, my 03 had the same steering wheel buttons that my 08 has
 
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