3-spoke conversion...with chrome emblem... :)
04-04-03, 12:57 AM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
3-spoke conversion...with chrome emblem... :)
Before I start, let me just put out this disclaimer...
DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK! IF YOU DO THIS MOD AND YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE GETS INJURED OR KILLED IT'S NO ONE'S FAULT BUT YOUR OWN! SO AGAIN, DO THIS AT YOUR RISK!
Ok, now onto the fun stuff...I know this topic has come up in the past and I've answered the question before. It's do-able, but not a direct swap. It takes a little bit of work.
You can do two different types of conversions...you can do the airbag WITH or WITHOUT the chrome logo but you MUST get the matching steering wheel. The Chrome Logo airbags started in 2001. So you'll need to get a 2001 Steering wheel too...they are different and the 2001 airbag will not FIT in a pre-2001 wheel.
You can use either a GS or RX steering wheel...
But here's the trick on the Chrome Logo...ONLY the 2001's have chrome logos. However, nearly every 2001 airbag is a DUAL STAGE. ALL SC400/300's are SINGLE STAGE. I DO NOT RECOMMEND PUTTING A 2-STAGE AIRBAG IN A SINGLE STAGE SYSTEM. There are just TOO MANY variables. Will the airbag blow up when you turn the car on? Will it deploy in an accident? Will it deploy correctly? So AGAIN, I DO NOT RECOMMEND PUTTING A 2-STAGE AIRBAG IN A SINGLE STAGE CAR.
So which airbag comes with a chrome logo and is also a single stage? Thanks to one of the other members (I apologize to him because I can't remember his name), I was informed that the 2001 RX300 is the ONLY model year that came with both the Chrome Emblem and the Single Stage setup....
Well here's a picture...now don't mind the steering wheel color. I only had access to a Black 2001 GS300 steering wheel (with E-Shift of course) so that's what I had to use. The E-Shift obviously doesn't work so you can forget about that feature
Another thing you need to do is to convert the Cruise Control system. The newer ones are NOT compatible with the older cars. I have found a relatively easy way to convert this system...but that will come later...
At any rate, I'm going to be getting a Tan/Beige colored 2001 GS430 (no E-Shift...bastards!) or 2001 RX300 wheel and then I'm going to get it converted to wood via the Group Buy...should look very nice once it's done.
DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK! IF YOU DO THIS MOD AND YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE GETS INJURED OR KILLED IT'S NO ONE'S FAULT BUT YOUR OWN! SO AGAIN, DO THIS AT YOUR RISK!
Ok, now onto the fun stuff...I know this topic has come up in the past and I've answered the question before. It's do-able, but not a direct swap. It takes a little bit of work.
You can do two different types of conversions...you can do the airbag WITH or WITHOUT the chrome logo but you MUST get the matching steering wheel. The Chrome Logo airbags started in 2001. So you'll need to get a 2001 Steering wheel too...they are different and the 2001 airbag will not FIT in a pre-2001 wheel.
You can use either a GS or RX steering wheel...
But here's the trick on the Chrome Logo...ONLY the 2001's have chrome logos. However, nearly every 2001 airbag is a DUAL STAGE. ALL SC400/300's are SINGLE STAGE. I DO NOT RECOMMEND PUTTING A 2-STAGE AIRBAG IN A SINGLE STAGE SYSTEM. There are just TOO MANY variables. Will the airbag blow up when you turn the car on? Will it deploy in an accident? Will it deploy correctly? So AGAIN, I DO NOT RECOMMEND PUTTING A 2-STAGE AIRBAG IN A SINGLE STAGE CAR.
So which airbag comes with a chrome logo and is also a single stage? Thanks to one of the other members (I apologize to him because I can't remember his name), I was informed that the 2001 RX300 is the ONLY model year that came with both the Chrome Emblem and the Single Stage setup....
Well here's a picture...now don't mind the steering wheel color. I only had access to a Black 2001 GS300 steering wheel (with E-Shift of course) so that's what I had to use. The E-Shift obviously doesn't work so you can forget about that feature
Another thing you need to do is to convert the Cruise Control system. The newer ones are NOT compatible with the older cars. I have found a relatively easy way to convert this system...but that will come later...
At any rate, I'm going to be getting a Tan/Beige colored 2001 GS430 (no E-Shift...bastards!) or 2001 RX300 wheel and then I'm going to get it converted to wood via the Group Buy...should look very nice once it's done.
Last edited by Manaray; 04-04-03 at 01:01 AM.
04-04-03, 09:33 AM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Feb 2001
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hmmm
Somehow that wheels looks TOO NEW for the rest of the car. U know what I'm sayin?
I bought a new black center console plastic piece and I noticed how the grade of plastic and finish was richer than the existing older stuff. Makes you want to replace the whole thing.
I love that wheel, but it gives you the itch to contemporize the entire interior...hehe
I bought a new black center console plastic piece and I noticed how the grade of plastic and finish was richer than the existing older stuff. Makes you want to replace the whole thing.
I love that wheel, but it gives you the itch to contemporize the entire interior...hehe
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04-04-03, 11:26 PM
#10
RX 300 & 350Z Guru
Join Date: Feb 2001
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So there is a single stage airbag out there for the 2001+ style wheel. Great work Manaray! I was under the impression that all the new style airbags were dual stage. I've been sitting on this OEM RX wood/leather wheel for a while now, I guess I can keep it now and finally put it on my 2000 RX. I don't know if it will matter though, I am considering trading for an SC or IS or the like.
If you don't mind me asking, where were you able to find the 2001 airbag. You can email me if you wish at morris_n@acadmn.mercer.edu
If you don't mind me asking, where were you able to find the 2001 airbag. You can email me if you wish at morris_n@acadmn.mercer.edu
Last edited by LexRX; 04-04-03 at 11:28 PM.
04-06-03, 01:18 AM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Aliga - that is what I'm going to do but I need a wheel that doesn' t have E-Shift. Plus I need to get a Tan color cowling (the part behind the steering wheel...the plastic shell)...
AnthraciteSC - That may be the case but I won't be able to say for sure until I get it converted to wood and the correct tan color...I think it'll look ok...I'm also looking to add a couple of other small parts to "update" the interior...yet another "cross model" mod (in other words, it's not just upgrading to '98+ SC parts but getting parts from other Lexus cars)...
NextLevelCoupe & SoCalSC300 - Well it does "bolt" up the same HOWEVER, the airbag connector must be modified (cut and soldered) and you need the 2001+ style "coil unit" (whatever it's officially called)...the part where the the airbag connector comes out of and it also plugs into the wire loom to the rest of the car. You need it to cut off the connector (that's the only part you use, you cannot use the newer "coil unit" as the connectors are a little different and the # of turns the coil can do isn't the same...)
There are two wires (I think one was blue and the other was yellow with a blue broken stripe) that need to be cut and soldered (older "coil unit" that's already in your SC400/300 to the newer style airbag connector)...of course, I also shrinkwrapped it (one on each soldered connector and one larger one over both to keep the wires together...like Siniquezu asid, I don't joke around.)
LexAnt - Yes, the '98 SC400/300 one should work also but it also has the newer style connector so you need cut and solder (I'm pretty sure the '98+ SC400/300 "coil unit" uses the same style loom connector as the all the newer ones so you can't just replace that coil unit...however, if it does work, let me know. ) So the way I figured, it is MUCH easier to get a GS400/300 or RX300 steering wheels (the "non-chrome" logo ones) since those cars are way more common than a '98+ SC400/300 and since there was no "extra easy" way to do the conversion (no matter what 3-spoke wheel I used, I HAD to cut and solder) I figured I might as well go "all the way" and get the most desirable steering wheel to date (the chrome emblem ones)...why half ***?
LexRX - Yes, there is. don't thank me, thank the member who told me (where the hell is he? Man, I wish I could remember his name so I could give him proper credit for the find!). He was the one who told me the 2001 RX300 airbag was single stage. As for where I found it...let's just say that Steve Ganz can get them.
Just to recap:
2001 RX300 Airbag (With Chrome Logo) will ONLY work with 2001~2003 GS430 or 2001~2003 RX300 (Not the new RX330...completely different steering wheel) steering wheels. I specify ONLY the GS430 because the GS300's all have E-Shift and there is NO WAY (without spending a ton of money) that you're going to get E-Shift to work on your SC400/300.
1998~2000 GS400/300 Airbags (NO Chrome Logo) work with 1998~2000 GS300/400 (again, no E-Shift though) or the 1999~2000 RX300 (I believe 1999 was the first year). Also SHOULD work with 1998~2000 SC400/300 steering wheels.
1999~2000 RX300 Airbags (NO Chrome Logo) work with the same steering wheels as the 1998~2000 GS400/300
1998~2000 SC400/300 Airbags (NO Chrome Logo) obviously work with the same year(s) SC400/300 steering wheel and it SHOULD work with the 1998~2000 GS400/300 and 1999~2000 RX300 steering wheels.
Bascially, 2001 is the cut-off date.
AnthraciteSC - That may be the case but I won't be able to say for sure until I get it converted to wood and the correct tan color...I think it'll look ok...I'm also looking to add a couple of other small parts to "update" the interior...yet another "cross model" mod (in other words, it's not just upgrading to '98+ SC parts but getting parts from other Lexus cars)...
NextLevelCoupe & SoCalSC300 - Well it does "bolt" up the same HOWEVER, the airbag connector must be modified (cut and soldered) and you need the 2001+ style "coil unit" (whatever it's officially called)...the part where the the airbag connector comes out of and it also plugs into the wire loom to the rest of the car. You need it to cut off the connector (that's the only part you use, you cannot use the newer "coil unit" as the connectors are a little different and the # of turns the coil can do isn't the same...)
There are two wires (I think one was blue and the other was yellow with a blue broken stripe) that need to be cut and soldered (older "coil unit" that's already in your SC400/300 to the newer style airbag connector)...of course, I also shrinkwrapped it (one on each soldered connector and one larger one over both to keep the wires together...like Siniquezu asid, I don't joke around.)
LexAnt - Yes, the '98 SC400/300 one should work also but it also has the newer style connector so you need cut and solder (I'm pretty sure the '98+ SC400/300 "coil unit" uses the same style loom connector as the all the newer ones so you can't just replace that coil unit...however, if it does work, let me know.
) So the way I figured, it is MUCH easier to get a GS400/300 or RX300 steering wheels (the "non-chrome" logo ones) since those cars are way more common than a '98+ SC400/300 and since there was no "extra easy" way to do the conversion (no matter what 3-spoke wheel I used, I HAD to cut and solder) I figured I might as well go "all the way" and get the most desirable steering wheel to date (the chrome emblem ones)...why half ***? LexRX - Yes, there is. don't thank me, thank the member who told me (where the hell is he? Man, I wish I could remember his name so I could give him proper credit for the find!). He was the one who told me the 2001 RX300 airbag was single stage. As for where I found it...let's just say that Steve Ganz can get them.
Just to recap:
2001 RX300 Airbag (With Chrome Logo) will ONLY work with 2001~2003 GS430 or 2001~2003 RX300 (Not the new RX330...completely different steering wheel) steering wheels. I specify ONLY the GS430 because the GS300's all have E-Shift and there is NO WAY (without spending a ton of money) that you're going to get E-Shift to work on your SC400/300.
1998~2000 GS400/300 Airbags (NO Chrome Logo) work with 1998~2000 GS300/400 (again, no E-Shift though) or the 1999~2000 RX300 (I believe 1999 was the first year). Also SHOULD work with 1998~2000 SC400/300 steering wheels.
1999~2000 RX300 Airbags (NO Chrome Logo) work with the same steering wheels as the 1998~2000 GS400/300
1998~2000 SC400/300 Airbags (NO Chrome Logo) obviously work with the same year(s) SC400/300 steering wheel and it SHOULD work with the 1998~2000 GS400/300 and 1999~2000 RX300 steering wheels.
Bascially, 2001 is the cut-off date.
04-06-03, 08:36 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Yes, it CAN be done but the LS400 wheels are generally an 1" or so larger in diameter. The LS400 wheel is not set up to be "sporty" (hence the larger size)...do it right, use a GS/RX/'98+ SC 3-spoke wheel....
