Hi everyone. I’m planning on making a junkyard run sometime soon and I’m wondering if it is possible to put a 97+ steering wheel on a 96 XJ. My XJ doesn’t have cruise control so I don’t need to worry about those controls, but instead I’m wondering if the airbag connections are the same, since the 95 & 96 XJ came with one, and if the steering wheel will simply bolt on or not. If anyone has an answer to these questions it would be greatly appreciated if you tell me in the comments below. Also if Anyone can provide pictures of this actually being done (assuming it’s possible) that would be helpful too. Thanks!!

 

I dont know about the connections, but the airbag for 95-96 was 100% mechanical. There is no clockspring or airbag control module. The airbag on the wheel is all there is. It is self-contained. For 97-01, the airbag was 100% electrical. You got the airbag, clockspring, and an airbag control module. The airbag will not work without it. There was also a passenger side airbag, so even if you were to get the driver side airbag in, the control module will freak out because the passenger side bag is missing. The passenger side airbag wont fit anyway. The dash wasnt designed for it.

Its more trouble than its worth.

 

If you look around some places are still carrying left over NOS 95/96 wheels. Not Junkyard Cheap but basically brand new. Team Cherokee used to have these same NOS wheels for less than 100 dollars but their stock ran out.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/omix-ada...AaArTREALw_wcB