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[NewGenSTi]

My roll connector is bad in my steering wheel. These are $200+ new and very hard to find used...

Does anyone know if the spline is the same as the newer 08+ steering wheel? I am aware there is an additional sensor in the new roll connector that my 04 does not have, but I can source an 08 steering wheel plus roll connector for less than an 04 roll connector. This leads me to believe I can upgrade to steering wheel radio controls (already know the wiring portion so dont worry about that)

[Alex]

I have been planning a similar swap with my 04. There are several immediate problems with this. My largest concern is that the airbag for the 08 is dual stage, while the airbag for our 04s is single stage. I have not installed a 08 wheel in my 04 yet to go for a drive but I am confident that the blinkers and cruise will work just fine. As for the radio controls, they're cool but only a bonus of this project. Subaru sells "blanks" for the left and right hand control spots and I was considering using those instead.

I am currently trying to source a GR STI airbag as the 04 airbag will not fit on the 08 wheel. Nevertheless, I am fairly certain that the 04 airbag will fit into the 08 airbag cover. All that is required is to compare the way the two covers blow and swap the 04 airbag in. This way you keep the single stage airbag, retain the harness/roll connector and take advantage of the looks of the schnazzy 08 wheel.

The controls on the wheel as well as cruise generally ground to a plate on the airbag unit. You would more than likely need to ground this somewhere for your test drive without the bag.

[NewGenSTi]

Interesting about the airbag issue.. This was unknown to me.

I recently purchased a new Eclipse 726 head unit and it came with a box to work with the steering wheel controls. That was the only real reason I would consider hooking them up. To do so, you would need to use the 08+ roll connector because the 04 connector would be missing the wires needed for the radio control.

I do admit, I like the looks of the 08 wheel a bit more than the older style. Then again I like the looks of the 08 car better too.. Just cant afford one with the current state of economy.

I take it you have tried and confirmed the 08 spline is the same as the 04-07?

Please keep me posted on how everything works. Maybe I will hold off on purchasing anything until I find out that it is indeed a feasible idea.

I don't mind swapping air bags, but I am a little uncertain after looking at mine as to how you would go about dissecting it.


What goes on with this new dual stage airbag system? Suppose I will have to go and research now

Thanks for the info!

[VSGTS14]

i'm interested too. i want that DAMD d shaped one for the 08s. i have no idea if it's a direct swap though.

[NewGenSTi]

Originally Posted by VSGTS14

i'm interested too. i want that DAMD d shaped one for the 08s. i have no idea if it's a direct swap though.

Yeah, that JDM wheel is pretty slick..... I just want functioning cruise control and maybe volume on the wheel.. That would be satisfying to me. haha

[Alex]

MY04 to 07 steering wheels fit on the GR so I would imagine vice versa to be true. The roll connectors are not difficult to remove or replace, just a little bit of time.

If you have a 2006+ STI (IIRC), then you already have the dual stage deployment bag. It may be 2005 but I do not have my notes in front of me right now.

[Gabriel~]

Originally Posted by Alex

MY04 to 07 steering wheels fit on the GR so I would imagine vice versa to be true. The roll connectors are not difficult to remove or replace, just a little bit of time.

If you have a 2006+ STI (IIRC), then you already have the dual stage deployment bag. It may be 2005 but I do not have my notes in front of me right now.

any update on this? I have an 05 STI looking towards the possibility of doing this also

[VSGTS14]

yea any updates.

[neoshi]

bump for updates

[NewGenSTi]

Yeah, it was 06 they must have changed because I know alot of people put the 05 black airbag in the 04 to make it look better.

The roll connector changed in 05+ to have the roll sensor (might be 06+ not sure)

As far as updates go, I dont have any time to fool around with a project that might not work. I work 45 hours per week and attend college full time so I have little to no play time for the car. That plus my other hobby of dirt bikes really absorbs alot of me time since its cheaper and more fun to tinker with them than cars.

If someone decides to try this, Please post info as I am still curios about it.

For now, I wired a momentary switch and mounted it on a switch blank inside the car to get my cruise working again (and it does just fine now)
For my travel too and from college/work this will serve its purpose until I can A located a new roll connector for my 04 wheel, or B find an 08 wheel and roll connector UBER cheap

Originally Posted by Alex

MY04 to 07 steering wheels fit on the GR so I would imagine vice versa to be true. The roll connectors are not difficult to remove or replace, just a little bit of time.

If you have a 2006+ STI (IIRC), then you already have the dual stage deployment bag. It may be 2005 but I do not have my notes in front of me right now.