Steering Wheel Swap?

I want this wheel in my Riviera. I bet it would be an easy job. What do you guys think?

but why...?

stan wrote:

but why...?

the stereo and temp controls

The Riv already has them. I would be concerned about airbag being compatible to the Riv.

If I was going to swap, I would find a PA wheel with the Cruise Controls on it as well. I hate the little buttons on the stalk. I am not sure if it would work though because you have to have something to receive the signal from the steering wheel.

Has anyone replaced their steering wheel with an aftermarket one? Like a Grant or a Billet Specialties? What kind of adapter would i need? Is it even possible?

I just really dislike the stock wheel in the Riv and want to change it to something sportier, especially since the controls dont even work with my new stereo.

Thanks for any help!

(AA, my apologies if this thread already exists and i couldnt find it.)

I'm preeeeettty sure turtleman (Codith) replaced his with an aftermarket one. This is the first page I came across in his showroom thread showing the wheel, not sure it's the kind of thing you're thinking of: https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t5402p270-turtle

Thats exactly what i was looking for! Oddly enough, almost the same wheel i was looking at too haha. On page two he actually mentioned the wheel but never really got into specifics. If no one else chimes in maybe ill PM him.

I wanna say the adapter 'steering wheel installation kit' is a Grant 3196 available in pretty much all Oreilly's and probably Pepboys. It was a really long time ago I got it but that should be it. It doesn't explicitly show compatibility to our cars because it doesn't support the factory airbag obviously.

What is everyone's thoughts on the airbag issue? Is it safer WITHOUT? Are you CRAZY for omitting it?

How do you feel about it? One way or the other.

charlieRobinson wrote:

What is everyone's thoughts on the airbag issue? Is it safer WITHOUT? Are you CRAZY for omitting it?

How do you feel about it? One way or the other.

I definitely don't really like that I don't have one anymore lol but I was willing to give it up because the black junk coming off my original steering wheel onto my hands every time I drove the car was frustrating enough to do it and now I have a sportier very customizable wheel - not lookin' back. I jumped the airbag plug with a resistor so that the SIR system isn't faulting and the passenger side will still deploy. Screw it - cars have been around for a long time without airbags and I wear my seatbelt religiously.

Awesome! Thank you! Ill check that out.

I'm thinking about changing my steeling wheel as well. I really love the factory one but my horn is now stuck and I'm not going to replace to whole airbag assembly just to have a horn

i hate airbags. they hurt!!!!!!!

LOL what did you do??

Yeah tell us what did u do?

this in my old accord

My old Thunderbird didnt have a single airbag in the car! Ive seen plenty of people get messed up worse by the airbag than the actual impact haha

We all thought you were trying to swap out the wheel and got popped by the air bag!! Hope everybody was alright.

Sir Psycho Sexy wrote:

My old Thunderbird didnt have a single airbag in the car! Ive seen plenty of people get messed up worse by the airbag than the actual impact haha

The first airbag systems didn't have any stages, so it was all or nothing. Still better than slamming into the steering wheel and windshield and getting your collarbone and face broken.

New airbag systems have staged deployment (based on speed, speed of impact, etc) and do much less damage to your face.

Still, I'd rather have a broken nose or jaw than become a vegetable from the brian injury.

Remember, in a car crash, there is the car hitting an object, then you hitting your seatbelt (or the car or airbag or whatever), then your brain hitting the inside of your skull and other organ damage. The point of the airbag is to cushion some of the 'you and your organs' impact. Nose and face bruising be damned.

Ya, im guessing if i ever get in an accident i will appreciate air bags a lot more! (knock on wood!)

We had the airbags deploy in our Pilot back in 2005 when were hit at 80mph in the A pillar broadside by Ford Expedition.... happened incredibly fast and was over before we knew it had happened.  We had a few minor "rug burns" from the airbags, but nothing serious.  I am certain it kept us from more serious injuries.

Also once saw a video where some guys hid an airbag in some old tires and set it off when their buddy sat down on the tires to eat his lunch.  It blew him right off the tires.  I was surprised he wasn't injured, but he laughed it off.

mine deployed at the end of the wreck, broke my nose and gave me a concussion. before that my face and head was fine just a few bruised ribs from the seatbelt

When I took a 2005 taurus head on, I was sitting too far back for the bag to touch me. The only thing I WISH I HAD was a better harness holding me back. A better seat and a better seat belt.


If you're a grandma or pregnant then maybe I can see how a bag might save your face. But if you're tall or otherwise cruise laid back like a goon, I dont see much purpose for front bags unless you love broken windshields and the smell of sulfur.

joshuadalegrimes wrote:

mine deployed at the end of the wreck, broke my nose and gave me a concussion. before that my face and head was fine just a few bruised ribs from the seatbelt

sounds defective.