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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Looks great Deus...

Is it the same diameter as stock? Thickness, etc..?

 

That was quick! Now you really need matching seats, or re do your seats w/ red stitchings!

 

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!!!

 

lol dude arent u always busy with that car ????????? wrx spoiler, rear diffuser, 350z wheel, whats next ??????????

props, i would NEVER do any of the stuff u did, no paitence

 

Another pic:

 

Looks great. Way better than the OEM one, which sucks.

 

sick man great work

always taking us to a new level

 

350Z wheels? Did I miss a mod Mark?

Another thing you should do is get the entire gage cluster from the 350Z with the RPM in the center...

 

so do you have the air bag light on? Other then that it looks awesome.

Kamski

 

No, I dont have 350z wheels, I have a 350z (steering) wheel. He was referering to my steering wheel, as "wheel".

The gauge cluster from the Z is a GREAT idea. I will be looking into that very soon.

 

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.

 

aha, gotcha. I thought you might be on the gage path soon

 

Looks sweet Deus!!! Can't wait to see the seats...

 

The only question is, how do you set your mileage when u swap gauges? Is it plug and play?

 

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?

 

Thats what Im thinking too, J. Ill source out a Z gauge cluster and maybe I can figure it out.

 

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?

 

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.

 

Wow...that's ****ed up...

It's that easy to "scam" someone with the guage clusters?

 

Yeah, I know that area where they are selling those. Its a bunch of junkyards.

 

Lookin' sharp bro! Keep up the great work Deusman!!

 

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.

 

Looks great. Who imported it for you? Can he get anything else?

 

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.

 

WOW deus that looks amazing!!!!! LOving the new look!! IM still drewling!!!

Cant wait to see your new seats!!!

 

you got this steering wheel from canada? Cool

 

Looks incredible Dues. That wheel is hella sporty looking. You and Chern (we all know what that means) are leaving the rest of us in the dust (literally). Mega props for being cutting edge.

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.

 

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.

 

Wow, really? So a voltage triggers the airbag huh. Two ohms seems aweful low.

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

 

I read that the 350Z guys use 2 ohm resistors. Read it on www.my350z.com

 

Well I be. I found this for you Dues.

http://www.scientific-devices.com.au...e/TES_0008.PDF

 

I looked at the link CoolMax gave and now I know why I call a good electrician to do that type of work, my brain can't wrap itself around all of that mumbo-jumbo.

Maybe that other connector is for the heating element?

Even Paris Hilton said, "That's hot." when she saw your new wheel.

 

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.

 

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 . . . . . . .

 

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!

 

very nice... wonder if the altima guys know about this steering wheel...hmmmmmm

 

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