Anyone swap out their steering wheel?

[Ohiobenz]

Has anyone done a steering column swap, or partial swap in order to eliminate adapters and maybe have a center horn button, other options for controls?
I've been thinking about that as part of the upgrade to a less military look and function.

 

[Blairg]

Dorman provided this info:
Dorman 924-5234 Specs
36 spline, 23.62mm OD

This is the steering that Sean has on his truck Abel.

This is the one that I just put on. Much better than the old one. However my seats are aftermarket and they are mounted 2 inches higher than stock.
So far so good.
Blair

 

[Third From Texas]

Has anyone done a steering column swap, or partial swap in order to eliminate adapters and maybe have a center horn button, other options for controls?
I've been thinking about that as part of the upgrade to a less military look and function.

It's on my to-do list.

I was told on here that it couldn't be done.

If you've ever peeked up the steering column from under the cab, you see that it most certainly can be done.

I've built plenty of off-road cars back in the day. You can run a steering column pretty much anywhere you want on a vehicle with the right geometry.

Modifying a truck to something nicer will be a piece of cake. A bit of fab work and you'll have *real* tilt and telescope, cruise control, horn, p2t mic key, cel phone control, etc, etc, etc...

 

[charlesrg]

I also wanted to go with buttons on the wheel. Looks like VIP Wheels has some options that could work but I'm still trying to get an answer from VIP Wheels,
So far a quick option is to get a Modular Hub/ Steering wheel from Steering Creations:
HUB https://www.steeringcreations.com/search.php?search_query=830
Wheel https://www.steeringcreations.com/steering-wheel-1/
However they don't have the same raise that the VIP wheel does.

For buttons I was thinking about just wiring the wheels buttons to a wireless sender and putting a receiver under the dash. There are wireless receivers that the battery last for years so this way I could add cruise control and horn to the wheel.

 

[Third From Texas]

I'm a retired IT system admin and one thing has never changed. If you can avoid wireless in *any* situation, then you hard-wire it. Wireless presents all sorts of failure and interference problems (dead battery, lost signal, device not connected, yada, yada). Wire it and be done with it.

For situations where no wiring is channeled thru the steering column I've used this approach on a number of off-road cars. Sort of an old-school hack, but it works great.

I basically take an old 5-pin mic plug with a coiled cord (any number of pins depending on the number of buttons, etc). Mount the female connector to the dash (near the steering column) and wire the cord to the switches on the wheel.

Plug it in and done.

*the disconnect is to allow steering wheel removal (a lot of off-road cars use quick-disconnect steering wheels)

 

[Third From Texas]

Here's a simple concept to add buttons to a wheel. Basically just add something with holes.

 

[Third From Texas]

If you are really set on wireless, there are some stupid expensive ways to go. But again, I'm not a fan personally.

Cartek Wireless Steering Wheel Controls - Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies

Add pushbutton controls to your racing steering wheel, without cords or connectors, while keeping your current quick-release steering wheel hub!

www.pegasusautoracing.com

 

[charlesrg]

Not really set on wireless, the wired option looks good too, our wheels need a couple more turns than the racing cars but it should be fine.
If using wireless I would use something like an ESP32 with Zigbee for ultra low power and just put items that are not mission critical like the cruise control start, maybe a volume/up/down.

I just noticed there is a option for horn in the end of the turn signal.

 

[spankybear]

Not really set on wireless, the wired option looks good too, our wheels need a couple more turns than the racing cars but it should be fine.
If using wireless I would use something like an ESP32 with Zigbee for ultra low power and just put items that are not mission critical like the cruise control start, maybe a volume/up/down.

I just noticed there is a option for horn in the end of the turn signal.
View attachment 819140

OK... That hash has me intrigued . Can you tell me about it?

 

[flyfishtrailer]

This is the one that I just put on. Much better than the old one. However my seats are aftermarket and they are mounted 2 inches higher than stock.
So far so good.
Blair

Was it a direct fit or did you need adapters?

 

[Blairg]

Was it a direct fit or did you need adapters?

Direct fit. My only problem is I tried painting with vinyl spray it it came out horrible. I should have left it grey.

 

[flyfishtrailer]

Direct fit. My only problem is I tried painting with vinyl spray it it came out horrible. I shou look d have left it grey.

Thanks