05 steering wheel in a 99 outback?

[lord flashheart]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/12/subaru_legacy_25_gt_limited_wagon_2-1.jpg
ive never done a steering wheel swap. does anyone know how to put a 05 legacy wheel in 1999 outback.
ive herd that the 2005s were the last ones with a single stage airbag so i would have to get an 05.
and ive also herd i would need the clock spring from the donor car.
also, how much wire spicing is going to be involved?

[Huffer]

It depends on what the SRS plug looks like - it's very likely that the plug is different, and will require modification to mate to your 99 harness. You won't ever know for sure unless you buy the wheel and take your stock airbag out and look at the connectors.

The only wheel swap that I know for SURE works is 03 WRX to 98 Legacy...because I've done it. I'm sure there are others but information is sketchy and scattered.

[lord flashheart]

It depends on what the SRS plug looks like - it's very likely that the plug is different, and will require modification to mate to your 99 harness. You won't ever know for sure unless you buy the wheel and take your stock airbag out and look at the connectors.

The only wheel swap that I know for SURE works is 03 WRX to 98 Legacy...because I've done it. I'm sure there are others but information is sketchy and scattered.
ok cool i think if i go to a subie dealer a tech could shed some light as well

[Huffer]

I doubt it. The dealer techs aren't in the business of swapping different year parts onto vehicles. They're only (for liability reasons) going to replace 1999 parts with 1999 parts. If you can, the service desk might have technical diagrams of the plugs used on the SRS components which might at least tell you if the plug will physically match up.

[lord flashheart]

how did you get so smart?

[)2edline]

I got an 04 WRX wheel I'm waiting to splice into my 97GT.

As far as I know, in 04 they switched to a new low power connector different from the 02/03 wrx wheels that the 98+ legacy's can use. pre-98 has a different plug altogether which is why I'm splicing. When you take off the wheel of the 99 you'll see the yellow connector to your airbag. 04+ models have that same connector, except its before the clock spring in the steering column. so, you're looking at some splicing.

[lord flashheart]

cool! thats some good info. but what about mounting it. ive herd if you dont get the clock spring from the donor car the wheel wont mount strait. do you know anything about that?

[Huffer]

The splines on the wheels are likely to be the same. The only way it won't mount "straight" is if you put it on wonky. Unless you're meaning "flush" with the steering column? It's basically like putting a wheel on a hub. It only goes on one way.

[lord flashheart]

The splines on the wheels are likely to be the same. The only way it won't mount "straight" is if you put it on wonky. Unless you're meaning "flush" with the steering column? It's basically like putting a wheel on a hub. It only goes on one way.
ok cool. like i said ive never done work with a steering wheel.

[impreza_GC8]

Take a look at the airbag connectors from 05 and compare it to your 99. You are fortunate because you have a 99, it has the newer style plug as compared to the 97s like mine but I'm not sure how long they kept that "newer" style plug around. I would think by 05 an "even newer" plug style had been implemented. Personally, I wouldn't want to splice an airbag wire. Since you have the 98+ plug your options are quite large on other wheels you can install, from JDM Impreza to JDM legacy to USDM WRX.

[lord flashheart]

Take a look at the airbag connectors from 05 and compare it to your 99. You are fortunate because you have a 99, it has the newer style plug as compared to the 97s like mine but I'm not sure how long they kept that "newer" style plug around. I would think by 05 an "even newer" plug style had been implemented. Personally, I wouldn't want to splice an airbag wire. Since you have the 98+ plug your options are quite large on other wheels you can install, from JDM Impreza to JDM legacy to USDM WRX.
ill have to look at the connector.. i just like the way the 05 wheel looks