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Z31 GLL to GL Steering Wheel Conversion
One of the best things you can do to a GLL's interior (IMO) is to get rid of that ugly steering wheel. I chose to go with a GL steering wheel. The process I used involves cutting a wire that is necessary to use have the horn work on the GLL steering wheel, if you EVER think you may want to go back to the GLL wheel, DO NOT DO IT THIS WAY! I'll tell/show here the procedure to install it if you do not wish to keep the cruise. I had removed the cruise from my car. If you wish to keep the cruise and use this steering wheel, you'll need the cruise switches from a GL car, and to figure out how to install that stuff on your own with help of the FSM found here.
Tools Needed
- Philips head screw driver
- 10mm socket /w ratchet
- 19mm socket /w ratchet
- Steering wheel puller
- Wire cutters / crimpers
Parts Needed
- GL Steering wheel
- GL horn switch (its part of the yellow thing behind the steering wheel, the turn signal and wiper controls screw to it)
- Electrical tape
- Blue Female connector (you can buy a ton of them at a parts store for a few bucks)
The Process
- I recommend you disconnect your battery, because you'll be dealing with electrical stuff (you need to wire the horn up)...that, and it can be annoying hearing the horn go off every 2 second as you pull the steering wheel.
- First you want to remove the steering wheel column covers. To do this, there are 4 Phillips head screws that hold this all together. The outer two hold the halves together and the inner two hold the cover to the combo switch. Now remove the key light connector and the cover will be free. Be careful not to crack the cover when pulling the lower half over the cruise control switch on GL models.
- Now you can pry the horn cover off the steering wheel with your hands. To do this start at the top and pull. You will now see the 19mm nut that holds the wheel to the shaft. Remove this nut and use a steering wheel puller to remove the wheel. Another way to remove this without the puller is to loosen this nut but leave it on about 3 turns. Now shake the wheel side to side and top to bottom. It will come loose and the nut is still there to keep the wheel from hitting yourself in the face with it.
- Now that the steering wheel is removed, you'll see the slip ring on the GLL model. Unplug the connector from it, then it should just slide off the steering column. The GL does not have this.
- With the slip ring removed, you should see the Switch Mount that the turn signal switches and wiper switches screw onto. You'll need to remove the 4 screws (2 per switch). With the screws removed, the switches should slide right out the side without needing to unplug them.
- Loosen the clamp on the back side of the switch mount and slide it off the steering shaft.
- With that one out, you can now proceed to get the one from the GL. Don't be like me and drop it, because it does not like 3 foot falls...luckily, mine didn't break anywhere important, so I could still install it properly. Slide it onto the steering column, and MAKE SURE the clip goes into the hole in the column. If it doesn't, you WILL push it to far, and your horn won't work.
- Tighten the clamp on the back of the switch mount and Re-install the switches into the side of the GL switch mount, Dont forget to install the 4 screws for the switches.
- Now you'll need to wire up the horn. Remember that plug you unplugged from the slip ring? Cut the SOLID black wire, and strip the end. Now install the Female Spade connector.
- Plug the connector into the back side of the switch mount, onto the male plug for the horn button.
- Install the GL steering wheel. Simple slide it over the steering column (CENTERED) and onto the spline, then re-install the 19mm nut. Torque specs for this is 36 to 43 ft lbs
- Hook up the battery, and test the horn. If you did everything properly, it should work.
- Reinstall the steering column covers and clean your Interior and you are done.
Sources Used on This Page
- Provided by: MichaelP/Z31NA2T