Installation of JDM 350Z factory option steering wheel - PICS!!!
10-19-2007, 08:59 PM
#1
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
Installation of JDM 350Z factory option steering wheel - PICS!!!
There comes a time in a man's life when you sometimes have to just say . . .what the f<>k. The Maxima steering wheel is a nice but conservative item, which is styled towards the luxury side of its split personality (sport and luxury). My car explores the performance aspect of this 4DSC. In conformance with the performance aspect, I have changed a number of things in my car to reflect that performance aspect. For example, I replaced the mundane lip spoiler with a more muscular WRX spoiler. Inside the car, I replaced the shift **** and e brake handle with the **** and handle from a 2006 Mitsubishi Evo MR. The pedals gave way to Alitma SE-R units, and so forth. But every time i got in the car, I would grab the Maxima steering wheel, and think "There has got to be a better one than this." Sure it has cruise buttons, and radio buttons and it HEATS UP. Im not sure my friend's Bentley GTC steering wheel heats up.
And then by chance in a 350Z forum, I came across this:
Momo made two wheels as Nissan factory options for the JDM Fairlady Z (350Z in Japan). I found a guy who would import this steering wheel for me for around $700, including airbag! If you think that costs a lot, go ahead and price an OEM Maxima wheel. I think the OEM airbag alone costs that.
Here is how to install one:
Prelims: DISCONNECT the battery completely and wait 3 minutes. Get your tools ready. Wear gloves if you can to prevent static electricity from building up. I did but took them off in the pics.
1. Remove the dime size bolt covers on the side of the wheel and remove the bolts - 10mm.
2. Remove the airbag cover and assembly in one unit.
3. Look at the back of the airbag. Two connectors - orange and yellow are there.
And then by chance in a 350Z forum, I came across this:
Momo made two wheels as Nissan factory options for the JDM Fairlady Z (350Z in Japan). I found a guy who would import this steering wheel for me for around $700, including airbag! If you think that costs a lot, go ahead and price an OEM Maxima wheel. I think the OEM airbag alone costs that.
Here is how to install one:
Prelims: DISCONNECT the battery completely and wait 3 minutes. Get your tools ready. Wear gloves if you can to prevent static electricity from building up. I did but took them off in the pics.
1. Remove the dime size bolt covers on the side of the wheel and remove the bolts - 10mm.
2. Remove the airbag cover and assembly in one unit.
3. Look at the back of the airbag. Two connectors - orange and yellow are there.
10-19-2007, 09:04 PM
#2
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
The connectors are locked by these little black locking devises. Raise them like this:
Then unplug them. The whole unit is free from the car. DO NOT DROP IT. Set it aside carefully. Its an airbag - it could explode. Keep it away from extreme heat.
4. Remove the center nut-19mm. I used a lug nut remover.
Note the marks to make sure its straight.
5. Use a steering wheel puller - Pep boys, 12 bucks, or rent one if ur a cheap skate or starving college student.
Then unplug them. The whole unit is free from the car. DO NOT DROP IT. Set it aside carefully. Its an airbag - it could explode. Keep it away from extreme heat.
4. Remove the center nut-19mm. I used a lug nut remover.
Note the marks to make sure its straight.
5. Use a steering wheel puller - Pep boys, 12 bucks, or rent one if ur a cheap skate or starving college student.
10-19-2007, 09:07 PM
#3
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
6. Undo the remaining connectors. PLug in the sole red wire to the matching plug. I havent figured out what to do with the airbag plugs since the OEM bag had two connectors and the JDM wheel has only one.
Here is what it looks like on the car:
Pics do it NO justice. It looks incredible. I'll get better ones tomorrow.
It doesnt have heat, cruise or radio controls, but DAMN it looks so good. But it is what I have been seeking. Now I have it.
Here is what it looks like on the car:
Pics do it NO justice. It looks incredible. I'll get better ones tomorrow.
It doesnt have heat, cruise or radio controls, but DAMN it looks so good. But it is what I have been seeking. Now I have it.
10-19-2007, 09:22 PM
#6
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
Its a bit smaller in diameter - 1/2" at most and its about the same thickness. It doesnt obstruct the gauges in any way like smaller wheels do. It has a MUCH better feel, better quality. Its like it feels tighter. Oh yeah, and it weigh a pound less than the Maxima wheel.
RHMax: Seat will be arriving Monday. Wait til you see those babies!!!
RHMax: Seat will be arriving Monday. Wait til you see those babies!!!
10-19-2007, 11:11 PM
#11
Another thing you should do is get the entire gage cluster from the 350Z with the RPM in the center...
10-19-2007, 11:32 PM
#13
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
The gauge cluster from the Z is a GREAT idea. I will be looking into that very soon.
10-19-2007, 11:33 PM
#14
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
Hey Kamski: Ur home safe? I havent fired it up yet. I need to fool the SRS system by putting a resistor in the unused connector. Ill have to figure out how many ohms.
10-19-2007, 11:38 PM
#15
10-20-2007, 12:23 AM
#18
I bought another gauge cluster when I switched my LED's. And it read the mileage from the new cluster, hmm. I wonder if you could keep everything but get the faces from the Z and switch around some wiring?
10-20-2007, 01:07 AM
#20
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
Here is one thats local but kind of expensive:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...mZ320033582690
Here is one thast has 4 days to go at $41:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-04...spagenameZWDVW
J, how much do you want for your gauges?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...mZ320033582690
Here is one thast has 4 days to go at $41:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-04...spagenameZWDVW
J, how much do you want for your gauges?
10-20-2007, 05:30 AM
#21
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (16)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 2,761
Hey Dues that looks great! You made that one look easy. I likey.
I'm too spoiled with the steering wheel controls (stereo and cruise) to make a switch. If they offered one that kept the controls I'd probably go for it. The leather on mine is getting pretty smooth and slick, but I don't really like steering wheels covers either. I;m stuck for now.
I'm too spoiled with the steering wheel controls (stereo and cruise) to make a switch. If they offered one that kept the controls I'd probably go for it. The leather on mine is getting pretty smooth and slick, but I don't really like steering wheels covers either. I;m stuck for now.
10-20-2007, 09:30 AM
#25
That looks amazing. Infinite props to you for this Deus. Please update us on the airbag situation, as this is something I would look into for a 5.5 gen, but do not want to sacrifice the safety. The aluminum matches well with the 6th gen interior and .... I can't stop drooling.
10-20-2007, 10:32 AM
#27
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
A guy named Parry imported this wheel for me, and yes, he can get other items. His email is gaimd@shaw.ca I forgot how I discovered him.
10-20-2007, 11:37 AM
#29
A guy named Parry imported this wheel for me, and yes, he can get other items. His email is gaimd@shaw.ca I forgot how I discovered him.
10-20-2007, 12:07 PM
#30
Regarding the value of resistance. Just take a ohmeter and run it across the terminals on the air bag to find out. Try it in both directions (+ to - & - to +) in case there is a diode.
10-20-2007, 12:39 PM
#31
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
Thats a big no no. Putting an ohmeter across the terminals of an air bag can trigger the air bag. I heard its 2 ohms, so Im gonna get a 2 ohm resistor and see what happens.
10-20-2007, 12:46 PM
#32
You might want to intially put a fuse in in series with that resistor for added protection in case it's on the low side.
Current = Voltage/Resistance
10-20-2007, 12:50 PM
#33
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
I read that the 350Z guys use 2 ohm resistors. Read it on www.my350z.com
10-20-2007, 12:57 PM
#34
I read that the 350Z guys use 2 ohm resistors. Read it on www.my350z.com
http://www.scientific-devices.com.au...e/TES_0008.PDF
10-20-2007, 01:53 PM
#35
Maybe that other connector is for the heating element?
Even Paris Hilton said, "That's hot." when she saw your new wheel.
Last edited by BadBlackMaxSL; 10-20-2007 at 01:57 PM.
10-20-2007, 02:27 PM
#36
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
Thanks Cool. Its pretty complicated. But I think 2 ohms will do it. I just got back with 2 ohm resistor in hand. By the way, these steering wheel companies charge $25+ for a shunt to trick the sensor into sensing an airbag so the light doesnt go off. This resistor was 11 cents. Lets see if it works.
10-20-2007, 03:17 PM
#37
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
I took the 1/2 watt 2 ohm resistor and bent it in such a way that it stuck through the orange connector like so:
Then I wrapped the connector in tape to hold it all in place:
I buttoned it back up, hooked up the battery, said a short prayer that the airbags wouldnt all go off AND that there wouldnt be an airbag light, and started it up.
YEAH!!! No airbags went off, no air bag light. Car ran great. Drove it around. I feel more connected with the car. The wheel has a much higher quality feel. I really love it.
I wonder if carbon fiber overlays on the aluminum would look cool? Hmmmm . . . . . . .
Then I wrapped the connector in tape to hold it all in place:
I buttoned it back up, hooked up the battery, said a short prayer that the airbags wouldnt all go off AND that there wouldnt be an airbag light, and started it up.
YEAH!!! No airbags went off, no air bag light. Car ran great. Drove it around. I feel more connected with the car. The wheel has a much higher quality feel. I really love it.
I wonder if carbon fiber overlays on the aluminum would look cool? Hmmmm . . . . . . .
10-20-2007, 05:29 PM
#38
Dang I would have to be half-drugged to even attempt this swap and would probably sh-t my pants removing that airbag. MAD PROPS!
Looks great, but I can't live without my radio control/heater. I am sure you'll more than enjoy it thou. Great Job!
Looks great, but I can't live without my radio control/heater. I am sure you'll more than enjoy it thou. Great Job!
10-20-2007, 07:00 PM
#40
Dues, you selling your old steering wheel? My Murano could use a heated steering wheel. Wondering if I can just buy the wheel and on/off button for the Maxima and install that into my Murano. Its not a Nissan Murano factory option, but the steering wheels are exactly the same. I assume I would just run a hot wire from the fuse box to the switch and then to the steering wheel. Let me know 