Kj steering wheel upgrade:

Sir Sam · 03-05-2018, 12:11 AM

Installed the steering wheel off of a WJ Overland. Feels different in the hand, functionally and fit the same as the KJ wheel. Not sure I will keep it here, the wood grain just doesn't match the rest of my silver trim.

Maybe if that section were silver?

I'll run it for awhile but it might make its way onto the CRD MJ since I have a matching wood grain dash bezel.

6DoF · 03-05-2018, 07:26 AM

steering wheel controls still work?

Sir Sam · 03-05-2018, 09:08 AM

Ya, I used the rear plastic with the radio controls, my cruise buttons, and the KJ airbag. The wheels use the same metal casting, just different materials they are wrapped with.

6DoF · 03-05-2018, 10:47 AM

i would LOVE to have some steering wheel controls in the TJ. i would ditch the GT wheel and buy a new stereo if i had to.

edit: on the other hand, a bluetooth add-on might be better

Cobound · 03-05-2018, 11:00 AM

Love steering wheel controls...it feels odd when I'm in my wife's TJ and I want to turn up the radio or change the station

Sir Sam · 03-05-2018, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6DoF

i would LOVE to have some steering wheel controls in the TJ. i would ditch the GT wheel and buy a new stereo if i had to.

edit: on the other hand, a bluetooth add-on might be better

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobound

Love steering wheel controls...it feels odd when I'm in my wife's TJ and I want to turn up the radio or change the station

Haven't we talked about this before?

If you use the 2002 + TJ wheel (same as WJ), you can install the radio buttons, then use the single stage 99-00 WJ airbag. And 99-00 WJ clockspring. That would get the signals into the steering column....then you would need to route to your radio.

WJ clockspring wont be a direct though.

Some ZJs had the radio controls, I think that clockspring is almost the same as the XJ, so it would be worth looking at the ZJ clockspring.

6DoF · 03-05-2018, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Sam

Haven't we talked about this before?

it's quite possible, but i feel like last time might have been much less info.

Sir Sam · 03-05-2018, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6DoF

it's quite possible, but i feel like last time might have been much less info.

Maybe, I feel like we talked about it a couple of times in the past, maybe even some PMs.

I don't really know the final execution of what to do with the clockspring, and since I haven't actually done this I don't know the final execution.

I know the steering wheel, airbag, and switches are all good to go, but the clockspring is the last piece I'm not sure of because I haven't put in the time to pull one at a yard and try to install.

Maybe for the MJ CRD project I will get into that level of stuff at some point.

nblehm · 03-10-2018, 10:12 AM

I don't think I've ever used steering wheel controls. Or had a car where they were an option

Sir Sam · 03-10-2018, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nblehm

I don't think I've ever used steering wheel controls. Or had a car where they were an option

I added them to the KJ way way back in the day, like over 10 years ago.

Sometime I forget they are there even, but they are nice to have for just skipping to the next song, or turning the volume up or down.

Still gotta punch the radio off to turn off though, no power button on the steering wheel controls.

I have another KJ wheel upgrade in the works. Will post more in a few weeks.

MBood82 · 03-10-2018, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nblehm

I don't think I've ever used steering wheel controls. Or had a car where they were an option

I don't think I could live without them now. It's awesome having them.

Sir Sam · 03-12-2018, 11:36 PM

Version 2:

Wheel from a 2011-2012 KK (also from WK2, JK, etc).

Test fitment on the wheel looks good, splines and all work correct, clearance to the clock spring is good. Wheel fits like its meant to be there.

KK airbag works the same as the KJ airbag, dual inflator. And since the KK is the same vehicle with a different skin the airbag is basically a newer skin on our same airbag system. One thing of note on the airbag is that that the inflators #1 and #2 are swapped on the latest KK airbag, these need to be swapped on the wiring to hookup correct on the newer KK airbag.

Now the hard part, the switches for the cruise and radio are all messed up. I might be able to install KJ radio switches but the KK cruise switches need work. Right now two of the cruise switches raise and lower the volume.

What I need to do next is work on the switches and change out some resistors to get the radio and cruise functions back to what they need to be. This will likely be the hardest part.

Had to notch out the harness plug to fit the KJ clockpring, otherwise the wire harness plug is the same.

Will update when I figure out more on the switches.

Going for this look:

03-05-2018, 11:00 AM	#5
Cobound - The Don - Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN Posts: 49,186	Love steering wheel controls...it feels odd when I'm in my wife's TJ and I want to turn up the radio or change the station __________________ To each his own. Not all those who wander are lost. The great irony - triggered snowflakes accusing triggered snowflakes of being triggered snowflakes

03-05-2018, 12:11 AM	#1
Sir Sam Working Mother Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 19,918	Kj steering wheel upgrade: Installed the steering wheel off of a WJ Overland. Feels different in the hand, functionally and fit the same as the KJ wheel. Not sure I will keep it here, the wood grain just doesn't match the rest of my silver trim. Maybe if that section were silver? I'll run it for awhile but it might make its way onto the CRD MJ since I have a matching wood grain dash bezel.

03-05-2018, 07:26 AM	#2
6DoF AKA: jeepnski Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 16,886	steering wheel controls still work?

03-05-2018, 09:08 AM	#3
Sir Sam Working Mother Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 19,918	Ya, I used the rear plastic with the radio controls, my cruise buttons, and the KJ airbag. The wheels use the same metal casting, just different materials they are wrapped with.

03-05-2018, 10:47 AM	#4
6DoF AKA: jeepnski Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 16,886	i would LOVE to have some steering wheel controls in the TJ. i would ditch the GT wheel and buy a new stereo if i had to. edit: on the other hand, a bluetooth add-on might be better

03-10-2018, 10:12 AM	#9
nblehm Needs moar dagger Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 26,785	I don't think I've ever used steering wheel controls. Or had a car where they were an option

03-12-2018, 11:36 PM	#12
Sir Sam Working Mother Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 19,918	Version 2: Wheel from a 2011-2012 KK (also from WK2, JK, etc). Test fitment on the wheel looks good, splines and all work correct, clearance to the clock spring is good. Wheel fits like its meant to be there. KK airbag works the same as the KJ airbag, dual inflator. And since the KK is the same vehicle with a different skin the airbag is basically a newer skin on our same airbag system. One thing of note on the airbag is that that the inflators #1 and #2 are swapped on the latest KK airbag, these need to be swapped on the wiring to hookup correct on the newer KK airbag. Now the hard part, the switches for the cruise and radio are all messed up. I might be able to install KJ radio switches but the KK cruise switches need work. Right now two of the cruise switches raise and lower the volume. What I need to do next is work on the switches and change out some resistors to get the radio and cruise functions back to what they need to be. This will likely be the hardest part. Had to notch out the harness plug to fit the KJ clockpring, otherwise the wire harness plug is the same. Will update when I figure out more on the switches. Going for this look: