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95-2011 Ranger Steering Wheel Swap Guide       #: 575
 Moderated by: NoPower, Mike69, MaDMaXX,
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 Posted: Sun Feb 11th, 2018 08:58 pm
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Kealel
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Below is a list of steering wheels that should swap into your 1995 to 2011 Ranger. I have made the list so that they are referencing the single stage airbags used until 2006. In 2007, Rangers started using dual stage airbags. I have noted all the airbags in this list that are dual stage for those of you who either have 2007+ trucks or want to avoid a bigger challenge. When putting together this following list, I only researched swaps that had been done into Rangers, vehicles that have had Ranger steering wheels swapped in, or vehicles that had swapped in steering wheels from vehicles that Ranger owners have also used. In many cases the cruise control buttons had to be modified because of the varying way that they worked, and in others airbags had to be modified to work (either because of different resistances or because they were a dual stage airbag going into a single stage vehicle / vice versa) (Dual stage airbags in this list will be labeled). Some of the swaps mentioned will require the steering wheel to go on lopsided, but an alignment will fix this issue.






I originally made this list for myself only (and my 01-03 trucks), but decided this information should be made public. In the following list, the reason many vehicles will swap until they get to 2007 or newer is because starting in 2007, Ford changed the standard way they attached steering wheels. However, I believe there is an adapter out there that allows you to swap wheels of this newer type to your vehicle. 






NOTE: Single stage airbags usually have 2 wires going to them while Double stage usually have 3 or more. While a single stage fires the same at any speed, a dual stage will fire a weaker charge at lower speeds and a more powerful charge at higher speeds. When swapping in a dual stage airbag in your single stage truck, you must decide for yourself what stage you want it to fire at.




Keep in mind I only show you one steering wheel picture for each vehicle, but most of these wheels come with more choices than what is shown, from cruise control, radio controls, leather, colors, and more. Once you find a style you like, do more research to find the option you like best. While you research these wheels, also look for airbag recalls as SOME OF THESE AIRBAGS MAY BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL, either now or in the future.




ATTEMPTING A STEERING WHEEL SWAP WITH AIRBAGS INVOLVED IS A VERY DANGEROUS GAME IF DONE WRONG. IT SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING THAT BECAUSE YOU ARE DEALING WITH A DEADLY FORCE, NEITHER I NOR FORD-RANGERS.COM ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURIES, DEATHS, OR OTHER SIDE EFFECTS THAT MAY OCCUR IF ANY EVENTS DO NOT GO AS PLANNED. 




(Should be) Direct Swap Wheels






1999 - 2003 Ford Ranger:












2004 - 2006 Ford Ranger:












1995 - 2001 Explorer 4 door and Eddie Bauer


4 Door:










Eddie Bauer:












Ford Explorer Sport (2 door) Up to 2003:












Explorer Sport Trac up to 2007:




















1997 - 2003 F-150:












1999 - 2007 All Super Duty Trucks:














1999 - 2007 Econoline:














Lincoln Blackwood:














Ford Excursions up to 2007:
















F-150 Lightning:














Lincoln Towncar:
















Crown Vic:
















Airbag Needs Modification:




2007 - 2011 Ford Ranger (Dual Stage):














2002 - 2005 Ford Explorer (Dual Stage):














2004 - 2008 F-150 (Dual Stage):
















1998 - 2008 Jaguar S Type "You just need to grind 1 tooth from the inner spline on the wheel. You then need to make your own decision on the airbag." Taken from an old post by Deere245














2003 - 2005 Lincoln Aviator "An Aviator wheel fits right on with no modification. Once again, you're on your own about the airbag" Again, by Deere245.














Lincoln LS (Same as a Jaguar S Type):
















Unknown - For these, I only found brief mentions that they may work, but could not confirm what needed to be done to successfully swap them in.




2003 - 2006 Ford Expedition (Might be the same as a 2002 - 2005 Explorer):














1998 - 2007 Navigator: 




This older version may have been swapped into F-150s:












This newer version may be the same as the Aviator:
















Ford Windstar (Unknown Years Swapable):














Ford Aerostar:














I hope this helps anyone who is looking for a new exciting project, Mod safely!



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The Duck: 2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level 2 - TWIN STICKS!

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 Posted: Sun Feb 11th, 2018 09:54 pm
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black06xlt
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i was thinking the 04-2011 wheel in my 92



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 Posted: Mon Feb 12th, 2018 07:59 am
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Kealel
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black06xlt wrote: i was thinking the 04-2011 wheel in my 92

I have heard lots of different things about Rangers older than 1995, I am unsure what is and is not true, but it sounds possible that for one reason or another nothing on this list would swap to them. Feel free to do some research and prove me wrong though! Would be nice to have a list for all trucks!



____________________
Past:
Baby Girl: 2006 XL 3.0 ~RIP~ 1/26/2015

Current:
Penguin: 2002 XLT 3.SLOW 4x2

River/Kaitlyn: 2003 EDGE 3.GO! 4x2... For now?
~Aspiring Mini Level 2~

The Duck: 2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level 2 - TWIN STICKS!

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 Posted: Mon Jan 10th, 2022 09:50 pm
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dangerranger
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i have an 03 ranger so since all these wheel fit on 1995-2011 rangers wouldnt all those ranger steering wheels fit

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 Posted: Tue Jan 11th, 2022 07:16 am
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JAMMAN

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YES!   :)



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 Posted: Tue Jan 11th, 2022 01:02 pm
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Tsquare
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Kaelel, do you have a steering wheel fetish?



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 Posted: Tue Jan 11th, 2022 08:02 pm
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JAMMAN

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Keegan is a Ranger freak in general, I still have parts laying around I bought from him.



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00 XLT 4WD RCSB 3.GO! Jalapeño
01 XLT 2WD RC Steppie 3.0 auto Silver
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 Posted: Tue Jan 11th, 2022 10:22 pm
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Scrambler82
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The wiring in the '04-'06 Ranger, Single Stage, Wheel/Air Bag, mount and wire up the same as the '01-'03 ?

Seems like they would but just asking to be sure !

Great write up, a lot of work to do this.


Now I just need to locate some Seat Foam for my 40/20/40 Bucket Seats.

Last edited on Tue Jan 11th, 2022 10:23 pm by Scrambler82



____________________
Ltr,
2003 EDGE, Std Cab, Steppie, E4 Red, 5sp, 4x
5" SuperLift, 33" x 12.50 x 15"
Hurst Shifter
Mod'd Backrack to fit Steppie
Front and Rear Bumpers by Custom 4x4 Fabrication, OK; now Mike's Welding and Fabrication.
Working on more Mods, just need more time, longer days would work !
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 Posted: Thu Jan 13th, 2022 05:12 am
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Mike69

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Scrambler82 wrote:
Now I just need to locate some Seat Foam for my 40/20/40 Bucket Seats.
Check out LMC Truck, they sell bucket & bench seat rebuilding kits. 

Bench and Bucket Seat Rebuilding Kits (lmctruck.com)



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05 F150 XLT Reg Cab, 2WD, 5.4L, Auto (My DD)
00 Ranger Extd Cab 4x4 4.0 OHV, Auto
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 Posted: Fri Jan 14th, 2022 01:03 am
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Scrambler82
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I didn't look at the OP date on this thread.

A few years ago.

Still a great write up !


Mike69,
thank for the thought but they didn't appear to have what I am looking for.
May have to look for a custom shop locally.

Thanks



____________________
Ltr,
2003 EDGE, Std Cab, Steppie, E4 Red, 5sp, 4x
5" SuperLift, 33" x 12.50 x 15"
Hurst Shifter
Mod'd Backrack to fit Steppie
Front and Rear Bumpers by Custom 4x4 Fabrication, OK; now Mike's Welding and Fabrication.
Working on more Mods, just need more time, longer days would work !
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 Posted: Sat Jan 15th, 2022 07:04 am
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JAMMAN

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Some software has a pop up that says "The post you are replying to is 649 days old, are you sure?"



____________________
00 XLT 4WD RCSB 3.GO! Jalapeño
01 XLT 2WD RC Steppie 3.0 auto Silver
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 Posted: Sat Jan 15th, 2022 11:47 am
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Scrambler82
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JAMMAN wrote:
Some software has a pop up that says "The post you are replying to is 649 days old, are you sure?"
I'm sure of what ?   Yes... it is an old Thread, yes... I don't watch the dates, or yes... I didn't find the Seat Foam !
Most of the time, lately, I am more Interested in writing a reply than when or where something happened, oblivious is more the term. 

Going to my build thread with a seat posting, later !

Last edited on Sat Jan 15th, 2022 11:54 am by Scrambler82



____________________
Ltr,
2003 EDGE, Std Cab, Steppie, E4 Red, 5sp, 4x
5" SuperLift, 33" x 12.50 x 15"
Hurst Shifter
Mod'd Backrack to fit Steppie
Front and Rear Bumpers by Custom 4x4 Fabrication, OK; now Mike's Welding and Fabrication.
Working on more Mods, just need more time, longer days would work !
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 Posted: Wed Mar 8th, 2023 06:57 pm
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jimranger01
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hi --- what steering wheels will fit my 2002 ford sport trac --- thnx

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 Posted: Sat May 4th, 2024 08:34 pm
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Kealel
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Tsquare wrote:
Kaelel, do you have a steering wheel fetish?
Yes. And everything Ranger in general. Next question?



JAMMAN wrote:
Keegan is a Ranger freak in general, I still have parts laying around I bought from him.
Coincidently, I still have the tail lights I got from you, waiting to go into my '03 Level 2!



Scrambler82 wrote:
The wiring in the '04-'06 Ranger, Single Stage, Wheel/Air Bag, mount and wire up the same as the '01-'03 ?

Seems like they would but just asking to be sure !

Great write up, a lot of work to do this.


Now I just need to locate some Seat Foam for my 40/20/40 Bucket Seats.

Luckily for you, that is one of the most common swaps! It is basically plug and play, but the big thing to note with these is the following: 

Those years of airbags are under a recall. There is a Stop Driving warning for certain build dates too, because these airbags have killed at least one person in a Ranger. So make sure you confirm the one you get has been fixed.

I understand this is a 2 year old post and you likely did this or gave up already, but I still want this information to be known.


Scrambler82 wrote:
I didn't look at the OP date on this thread.

A few years ago.

Still a great write up !


Mike69,
thank for the thought but they didn't appear to have what I am looking for.
May have to look for a custom shop locally.

Thanks

It's been a few years... dang. I remember doing this research like it was yesterday, time really does fly. Didn't even realize how long it's been since my last log in until I needed to find info for my new projects!


jimranger01 wrote:
hi --- what steering wheels will fit my 2002 ford sport trac --- thnx

For your truck, you can follow the list the same as if you had a 2002 Ranger, as you have a RBV (Ranger Based Vehicle), the dash is nearly the same.



____________________
Past:
Baby Girl: 2006 XL 3.0 ~RIP~ 1/26/2015

Current:
Penguin: 2002 XLT 3.SLOW 4x2

River/Kaitlyn: 2003 EDGE 3.GO! 4x2... For now?
~Aspiring Mini Level 2~

The Duck: 2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level 2 - TWIN STICKS!

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 Posted: Tue Jun 25th, 2024 01:42 am
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VulcanDNA
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Hello, I was hoping to get your opinion on the topic of steering wheel compatibility.  Sent you a pm.  Thank you for your help!

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