I would like to do away with the sketchy mechanical airbag and use an older jeep steering column (the GM one) mostly for style points and I want to use an aftermarket wheel that accommodates GM columns all without looking at the square plastic housing. I don't need cruise control and the horn isn't sacred. Is there anyway I can grab an entire column from an older cherokee and put it in?
Whats the sizing of the spline hub and spline count of the GM columns? How difficult is the wiring of the turn signals and multi-lever? Is there a specific year/years of old column that would work best? This will probably be a christmas time project so theres plenty of time to research/gather parts.
any info helps.
thanks.
-Jonathan

This is the wheel I would like to use if at all possible
http://shop.icon4x4.com/part/steering-wheel

 

Its illegal to remove the airbag from your jeep if its drove on the streets.If i cop wants to be a jerk they could impound your jeep over it.Or in a wreck and your insurance finds out you removed the airbag they can cancel you and leave you stuck paying for it yourself.

 

I understand the ramifications of it. but how would a cop know if it looks identical to an older model cherokee? and my insurance doesn't cover anything that happens to my car anyway. for all intents and purposes lets say this is a trail rig (which it will be in a few years).

 

The cop when he ran the plate will give him the year of the jeep,Or he can run the vin,Or look the dash that will have the air bag light on for life if you unhook the airbag.

 

then is there a solution to the mechanical airbag? As much as I'd love to have an airbag go off and break my nose while I'm on the trail or otherwise, I'd like to avoid it.

 

On top of the steering wheel there is a small plastic cap. Under the cap is a bolt. Loosening the bolt all the way out will disarm the mechanical bag. Do this when you're offroading.