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Steering Wheels and Airbags and Swapping and Stuff

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    Steering Wheels and Airbags and Swapping and Stuff

    Short story, then to my point/ question.

    So my buddy's '96 Grand Marq was destroyed a couple weeks ago in a late-night drunk driver vs. parked Mercury type accident. Today, he bought himself a lovely '97 Town Car Cartier and I got to drive it.

    I never particularly cared for the style wheel in the '96, but I did like it marginally more than the brick wheel in my '91. However, I loved the feel of the "new" style wheel in the Townie, and am scouring eBay for a deal on a used red one, to no avail. I also preferred the wheel in my mom's temporary 1989 over the brick airbag wheel.

    To my point!

    The airbag system in my car is most likely not functional, since the light has been blinking long enough that the previous owner put electrical tape over the lamp. Is there any reason (as far as insurance is concerned) to worry about replacing the wheel with an airbag equipped one? There are no safety or emissions inspections in Michigan.

    If I were to put a wheel from a Townie or something like the same (want a red one if I'm gonna bother), would it fit the column without too much finagling?

    Also, as a conclusion to another one of my signature rambling posts that usually don't go too far, I have to say I was honestly impressed by the Cartier, and luxury cars don't usually do anything for me. (The fact the wagon has ruined all other cars for me notwithstanding.)
    "Now it's over; I'm dead, and I haven't done anything that I want, or I'm still alive and there's nothing I want to do." -TMBG

    1991 Grand Marquis GS Colony Park Towing -Dead-Stock & Tired LoPo 5.0

    1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera International -I'm kind of sorry to admit it's still mine. In temporary custody of a friend who was desperate for a car.

    #2
    Wow, this thread really didn't go too far..

    Anyway, my thought is that yes, it should fit the column. After all, these cars used the same column from '90 to '04, with no real changes OTHER than the wheel. The trick will be wiring in the horn and cruise control, but swapping the clock spring should take car of that I'd think. I guess if I ever find a woodgrain steering wheel for the Town Car, we'll have to try this swap in the Wagon.
    -Steve

    2006 Audi A6 S-Line FWD ~132k miles, stock.
    1998 Mercury Grand Marquis LS HPP ~102k miles, slowly acquiring modifications.
    1997 Lincoln Town Car Cartier ~145k miles, Ported Plenum, Gutted Airbox, Mechanical Fan Delete, Contour E-fan Retrofit, Dual exhaust, Cats ran away, KYB Gas-A-Justs, P71 front sway bar, air ride reinstalled, Blinker Mod, Projector headlight retrofit, Caddy 4-note horn retrofit, Wood rim steering wheel, rustbelt diet plan..
    1996 Mercury Grand Marquis GS 117,485mi. R.I.P. 7/14/12

    Comment


      #3
      Yeah your right , for the most part . The hardest part would be the wiring and it shouldn't be to horrible. And if I don't want the airbag don't install it back in there , the early 2000's cars had nicer wheels in them and most were leather rapped
      sigpicTHE H.I.D MASTER
      87 mercury grand marquis
      88 crown vic lx
      89 mercury colony park ls (sold)
      89 mercury grand marquis (sold)
      00 ford crown vic lx hpp
      03 mercury marauder aka punisher (sold )

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