Steering wheel swap

Ah, I understand better now, 3 different types of airbags you say, one conductor no audio, one conductor with audio, 2 conductor. That's a lot of change.

 

sequoias got the newer wheel first. but for a year or two they had a single plug with the newer style plug. 2003 was the updated wheel in the tundra. it had 2 connector.

 

Due to folks installing audio controls or changing steering pad, I had wondered about that ?

As for 2 connector airbags, according to the 05 New Features from TIS and looking at 03-05 EWD's, dual-stage SRS airbag system did not come about until 05 year model.
That begs the question whether for looks or adding audio controls. can one install an 05 dual stage on a single stage designed year 01-04 ?

1st Gen Tundras New Features Chronology | Toyota Tundra Forum

from 05 SRS Airbag System New Feature....




from 04 05 EWD, Access, Standard....DC is the same




A17 bottom of steering wheel area....

 

This is the clock spring for my 04 DC, single connector with steering wheel controls. When searching for cheaper prices than dealer, notice also that number is valid for Sequoia 03-04.

2003-2004 Toyota Air Bag Clockspring 84306-0C021 | Toyota of Cool Springs vParts

 

How do people feel about OEM vs aftermarket on the clock spring? Given the airbag connector it’s not a good part to skimp on? But then again, it’s probably the same part from the same factory? Just discards or seconds or something?

 

OEM, it's built to expected specs and lifetime expectancy. This is a part you're going to install and never touch again.

Unless you're dying right now with strapped budget, why use anything except OEM in this case, knowing OEM already lasted this long so you'll likely never replace it again in this truck's lifetime, and there will never be a question in the back of your mind about compatibility?

I would use OEM just because of all the BS "squib circuit" failure codes I've seen people post here and on other forums. Anything related to SRS, I just don't mess around with it, but if I must, I'm going with OEM, unmodified.

My 2¢, take it or leave it.

 

My thoughts too but $20-$30 vs $250-$300 is a large jump, just wanted confirmation on the value. I set up a saved search. I found a few $120 OEM used options. I think I'll maybe wait for a harvest of my OG spring and see how it compares to the one I got for free with the dual airbag outputs. I wonder how dumb it might be to try to de-pin and re-pin the OG connector for my OG airbag somehow / some way. That seems safer to me than changing the bag to a new one and/or only plugging in one connector. If I'm able to do that with the springs I have (both of which are OEM) that might be one path forward. I realize it's airbags but it's also wire and aside from resistance there isn't a whole lot of tech in a wire.

Just trying to formulate a plan for the smartest approach to this hodge podge of airbag/clockspring stuff to get the wheel going. I'm not gonna lie that I am a little tempted to yank all the airbag stuff entirely but that's a bit too much risk if I lend it out.

 

Jeebus. I expected non-OEM would be more like $75-120 range for cheaper name brands like Cardone or whatever. $20-30 for some off-brand Chinesium garbage on fleaBay. What brands are you finding at $20-30? In my mind, I don't logically understand how that specific part, with the importance of its function, could possibly be manufactured for $20-30 unless it's cheap Chinesium garbage.

Also, is this one of those cases where you can buy Denso/Aisin on RockAuto at significantly discounted pricing, sort of like our Radiators? I'd have a hard time dropping more than 9x-10x the cheap aftermarket. I can see paying 2x-5x depending on the part's function. But 9x-10x screams "something is out of whack", probably on both sides of the fence, and the "real" price should be in the middle somewhere.

 

Yeah, I'd prefer to pay about $60 for a used OEM part.

$22 aftermarket new

$120 used OEM

 

Yeah I dunno. That $22 one just looks ... I dunno, sketch. Last thing I need is an airbag to the face. If that were to happen, who you gonna sue? Seller liweizhuo37028 with zero feedback on fleaBay? I bet that account is gone or inactive within 90 days. and replaced with liweizhuo37029.

Search fleaBay for 194582739846. I might feel a little more confident buying from an established seller where there are 5 part reviews with 5 stars like that @ $70. Better yet, I'd consider seeing if they (North Park Auto Parts?) have a direct parts website. fleaBay profile says they're based out of SA TX. Maybe you can order direct, just for the peace of mind that someone legitimate will be responsible.

 

I like the seller's comment on the North Park Auto listing:

"NEW 2ND GENERATION MODEL!! No longer malfunctions when exposed to high levels of heat from interior during hot weather conditions!!"

 

And that's the exact kind of stuff I'd expect from a sub-$120 part.

Granted, there's no guarantee buying used you're actually going to get OEM unless you can visually inspect the part being shipped, either.

But yeah. I'm guessing that $22 part is going to have lots of little issues like this. "Good enough, but likely to have issues".

 

Which is precisely why I lean towards using the clock spring I got for free which was in the vehicle with this wheel. If I can solve the airbag connector issue. That seems like the smartest path to me, despite the fact that it's also minimal cost.

 

Oh maybe I’m wrong. It’s been years since I’ve had an older tundra apart at work. It’s possible the single plug is on the 03-04 trucks

 

Hmm, doesn’t match perfectly but not too bad. I should keep hunting for a more stock look. Decent backup plan though.

 

@daveeasa let me know if you decide to start sourcing and selling steering wheels with audio controls. Haha

 

Very informative and interesting thread here. I've just gotten started with a light restoration of my 2001 AC SR5 that I have manual swapped and getting a new steering wheel for it is next on my list of items to replace. Being that this involves the airbag and so many different options makes it a little sketchy but the later model wheels seem easier to get and the audio controls would be near priceless.

If I have the OG style setup with nothing pre-wired, can I replace the wheel, airbag, and clockspring all at once with an 05-06 style setup and drop it all in with only needing to pin the harness and run wires to HU? Or do I need to get a specific clockspring and airbag?

Sorry if this has already been covered. You guys have done a lot research and compiled a ton of great information, it's extremally helpful so thank you in advance.

 

From what I know, since my bags are single stage, I assume yours would be as well. I think your options are:

1. single stage bag cut for audio controls (no black option)
2. Cut your bag cover to match profile
3. Swap charge from your bag to new bag
4. Swap the bag cover (drill and redo rivets)
5. Connect only one of the two leads


But, you need a clockspring that has the audio control wires pinned. That’s where I’m not sure at all as I haven’t started mine. That clockspring may be your existing one or maybe a new one and then it may be single stage or dual stage on the airbag connectors.

but for the airbag itself you have some decent options.

One thing I’d probably consider is scrapping the entire airbag setup and going to ‘05-‘06 style but I’m not sure if the ECU would reject that or how compatible it might be.

right now I have the following parts and no time to tinker:

dual stage clock spring should be pinned for audio
Black wheel w audio controls
Grey wheel w audio controls
Grey bag single stage
Passenger airbag single stage
Spare black airbag cover for audio which doesn’t match perfectly
Stock wheel in moon mist, no audio
Stock bag in moon mist, single stage, no audio
Stock clockspring w single stage

FYI, swapping the cover on the passenger bag is no problem.


I’m only tinkering with that because my passenger bag is apparently faulty.

 

Did you separate the airbag cover from the airbag/inflator or just go to town with it all as one unit? I have the left and right buttons to add to mine and haven't been able to find an airbag cover for the steering wheels with buttons already on them so I think I'll probably just cut my cover as well. Thanks.

 

Looping back on this point ... I searched all over eBay and ... while it's a bit longer than 90 days from my reply, seller "liweizhuo37028" is, in fact, gone/inactive: https://www.ebay.com/usr/liweizhuo37028

It's such a typical M.O. these days. Pop on, sell a gaggle of counterfeit/shit parts, then setup your next batch of accounts to sell similar from.