Replacing a non airbag wheel with an airbag version - cap questions

[Chilledspode]

Hi folks, I have been trying to replace my factory non-airbag leather wheel in my 99 2500 for years and am not having much luck and the fun has completely gone out of it for me... I have now taken a different approach and have purchased a Grant replacement leather wheel but it only comes in the airbag version. Can someone help me understand what I need to do to source a center cap piece for this new airbag wheel ? Does it have to come with an airbag or can I source just the center cap. This wheel (shown) is very different construction from my oem wheel. Thanks in advance.

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[Busted Knuckle]

Grant wheels are great. Try calling their customer support line. The 4 holes are the attachment points for the air bag module. If it turns out you need that, try a scrap yard or eBay.


www.grantproducts.com › contact-us Toll Free: 1-800-952-6947

 

[Chilledspode]

Thanks for this suggestion - they couldn't provide much info on the airbag/cover unit - I just downloaded the shop manuals (kudos to hatzie) and am off to see if I can find an exploded view of this airbag/cover assembly - cheers

 

[df2x4]

Not 100% sure as I've never had one apart personally, but from this diagram I found it looks like the airbag and cover are one combined piece.

https://www.wholesalegmpartsonline....86&modelYear=1997&searchString=STEERING WHEEL

Kind of surprised to see that the airbags are still available new from GM, albeit at a whopping $1000.

 

[alpinecrick]

Kind of surprised to see that the airbags are still available new from GM, albeit at a whopping $1000.

Holy Outhouse Mouse........


I've had mine off a couple times and am trying to remember......the air bag is all self contained in the center cap. It snaps off with two catches in the back of the wheel using a screwdriver to release the catches. I pretty sure there is a wire connecter to release, but that might be for the horn.

Either way I would be VERY leery of attempting to disassemble the air bag unit itself. I'd love to kill my airbags off because they're getting old.

 

[Chilledspode]

I am really getting close to losing my patience - the Grant wheel has cost me $450Cdn and then I have to add a $1500Cdn airbag that wont ever be hooked up just to get the frickin center cap - I assumed the cover and the airbag were 2 pieces. Two years later, a ton of my time and others as well and I am still no closer to replacing my broken leather wheel - frustrating doesn’t begin to cover it.... why can’t/won’t someone make/sell a complete replacement leather wheel for these trucks..... I need to step away and cool off.

 

[df2x4]

@Chilledspode That sucks big time, I feel your pain.

I bet you can find an airbag at a salvage yard, or maybe someone scrapping a truck could pull one for you. Maybe post a wanted ad in the classifieds here and/or on some of the Facebook groups? People scrap them going to aftermarket wheels, I bet someone would ship you one for a reasonable price.

Do you have a link to that leather wrapped Grant airbag wheel? I had no idea they offered anything like that for our trucks, it looks nice. I spent a long time looking for a good used OEM leather airbag wheel for my red truck. Finally found one a couple years back but I've never gotten around to installing it. Now I'm eyeing that Grant wheel...

 

[Chilledspode]

Thanks for staying with me My issue is I am so remote there are no wreckers here and the ones I call in Alberta, state they don’t strip the wheels - not enough money in them, I suppose and at that point I am pretty much out of options. If I call the ones in the US they won’t ship to Canada - sigh.
Here is the Grant wheel - it is a nice unit. Cheers and thank you.
http://www.grantproducts.com/products/view/996/

 

[df2x4]

Thanks for the link! I found it on Summit too for anyone else who may be looking, it's Grant part number 61031.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/grt-61031

@Z71Hobbs @Cokeman95 @thz71 Tagging these guys so they see this thread, one of them might know where to find a used airbag.

 

[Chilledspode]

Thanks for the link! I found it on Summit too for anyone else who may be looking, it's Grant part number 61031.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/grt-61031

@Z71Hobbs @Cokeman95 @thz71 Tagging these guys so they see this thread, one of them might know where to find a used airbag.

Thank you again, for going out of your way to help - again