antscrd

i did search first but to no avail. totally stock 350/auto '91 z28 totaled, airbag popped. car is being resurrected as i type. i would like to put a grant or an pre-90 iroc steering wheel on but have read that it requires some engineering i may be incapable of. assuming i get a column with the options mine has or the options i want, can i just get a column from another year and install, such as a pre-90 column so i also eliminate the potential vats problem? i have no worries as my car has an awesome theft deterrent (legally carrying glock driver). thanks.

camaronewbie

I think a non-airbag wheel is a straight swap (like from a pre-airbag F-body). The Grants (from what I read) require slight mods to the plastic column housing I think. There's alot of threads about swapping Grant wheels.

The VATS can easily be bypassed - read the tech articles:

https://www.thirdgen.org/vats
https://www.thirdgen.org/vats_passkey_system

I don't see any need in swapping out the entire column - simple wheel replacement should be easy enough. You'll of course need a steering wheel puller (free rental AZ/Advance).

BUT - have you searched the classifieds here, ebay, Thirdgen Ranch, Hawks, etc. for an airbag? I've bought several over the years, usually in the $50 range. I think it's not technically legal to ship them, but it happened anyway .

ALSO - the 4th gen steering wheel is a direct swap - might grab a 4th gen wheel - that would retain the airbag for you! I've bought several of them as well about $50-75. The only difference is the air bag connector - the 4th gen wheel has a smaller connector for the wires - simply wire in your 3rd gen connector from your old steering wheel.

Also, check with local inspectors - might not pass inspections without having an airbag, so the 4th gen wheel might need to be considered.

antscrd

thanks. not worried about inspection, at least not yet! i am sure the gustapo will change that eventually.