aftermarket (not Ford airbag) steering wheels in these cars-what's involved, is it possible??

[twolf]

Yes, while the ST's tiller is most certainly NOT the worst factory/OEM wheel out there, a nice suede cover option would go a long way towards making it better.

I'd recommend that company I linked. They can make whatever you want, and you keep your airbag and steering wheel controls.

 

[M-Sport fan]

Ok, getting back to answering the actual question that was asked. YES, you CAN disable the airbag and install an aftermarket wheel.
How do you think they replace the things or remove the steering wheel for various reasons.

You should be able to do the resistor trick as it seems to work on a myriad of items in the vehicle. As an example: When taking out the stock Fiesta ST seats (Recaro or otherwise) you can wire in a resistor for the airbag sensor as those seats have airbags as well. A few people did it when installing aftermarket seats.

As for the whole airbag debate, I'm with the "ricers/millennials" (despite the fact that the ricer thing to do would actually be to remove features from your vehicle for no real reason other than for sake of aftermarket).
Anywaaaaaay...After going to school for A.S.E. certifications and looking at the math behind half this stuff, yes, airbags = good.

I'm not stopping you for taking them out, I am neither going to berate you for wanting to take them out (but I will state my 2 cents at being called a typical ricer/millennial for sake of wanting to live in event of accident, You can't avoid all accidents that come your way).

I thought about doing that with my last Fiesta because I wanted the nice Tuner style steering wheel and racing seats as well, but then I got the ST and opted for the Recaro package and was really happy with the product. Hell I actually really like the steering wheel compared to a lot of aftermarket. But again, it's possible to remove and disable the stuff. If you end up doing it, please make a thread and do a post about it or put it in a build log. I am sure you aren't the only guy that wants to know.

THANK YOU for a sensible, non-insulting response.

Sorry if you thought I was lumping you into the 'nanny-needing' category, but right or wrong, good or bad, doing this is MY choice, since I cannot stand most factory air bag wheels, NOT because they contain an exploding cushion, but because of their shape/feel/material.

See, I take GREAT 'offense' to being labelled as a "crazy" right wing Tea Partier, since I could NOT be further from that politically and socially, and for the most part do NOT hate on the 'gummint' like most of those far right peckerwood/supremacist types do.

But, I CANNOT STAND it when they mandate automotive nannies which interfere with MY control of MY car, that's all.

If you MUST give me a pillow laden wheel, give me a GREAT, grippy, decently shaped, superior feeling, balloon wheel, that's all.

BTW; I will admit that I do not know how the Recaros in the FiSTs/FoSTs hold up to the wear and tear of daily use, but, the Recaro SPD/Speed I installed in my f body fell to pieces in less than three years ('Avus' material wearing through everywhere, cushions crushed, and bottom suspension collapsed), and they REFUSED to warranty it, or sell me covers/parts to fix it. Almost $800.00 down the drain.

I am under 200 lbs., and was always VERY careful about lifting myself up and over the outside bolster using the sill plate and console.

So understandably, I am a little bit wary of Recaro's products, EVEN IF they build their OEM supplied seats to a much higher quality standard.

I do NOT trust them $2000.00 worth (for the package), even if the above is the case.

 

[Wimp Lo]

I know that you can buy a new ST steering wheel hoop and get it recovered with whatever you want.

I have been thinking of adding some Alcantra trim for that racecar feel.

 

[Hijinx]

This thread.

 

[D1JL]

buddy of mine used a resistor in his STI hatch, he was able to trick the computer so that the light wouldn't come on.

The only thing you need to worry about is a resistor blowing up in your face in the event of an accident.



Dave

 

[M-Sport fan]

If you are wearing a race harness, that impact might create enough Gs to break your neck if you aren't wearing a helmet with HANS device.

Yes, I already knew this, and I would NOT ever use racing harnesses (EVEN the not FIA approved 'street' types, including the Schroth Profi 2 ASM FE) without a FULL padded roll cage, helmet, and Hans device.

FACTORY street belts ONLY on the street (most states would not let you have a cage in the car, nor even use the supposedly street legal Profis above on a street legal/registered/driven/inspected car).