Since the Grant steering wheel utilizes the controls from the factory steering wheel, they must be removed and installed onto the Grant wheel. Making this process easier is the fact that the new wheel already has the provisions for these controls, making the swap simple and fairly self-explanatory. Once swapped, the new wheel is installed in the reverse order, and the electrical components are reconnected before reinstalling the factory airbag. All told we spent a couple of hours changing our steering wheel, including the half hour we waited after disconnecting the battery. Aside from a breaker bar and 10mm Allen-socket to break the retaining bolt loose and torque wrench to tighten it, you just need basic hand tools to accomplish the swap.
Driving our Challenger with the Grant Revolution steering wheel, we noticed the padded leather grips immediately. Not quite at "ten and two" like your driver's education instructor would have liked, these pads are more at 9:30 and 2:30, which we actually prefer. The new steering wheel is comfortable in all driving phases, and though dimensional differences from the stock wheel are subtle, the overall feel of the steering wheel is noticeably improved. Our radio, cruise, and other steering controls are all easy to operate, and the padded area at the wheel's six-o'clock location is a nice alternative when relaxing on the highway.
The steering wheel is aesthetically appealing as well, especially with colors available to match most interior combinations. The gray leather inserts in our steering wheel are a dead-on match to the gray leather inserts in our car's stock seats, resulting in a custom but factory appearing installation. Best of all, this is an improvement any Charger, Challenger, Magnum, or 300 owner can perform in their own driveway in an hour or so, with the nearly immediate gratification of being able to see and feel the improvement in your vehicle.
3 The airbag can now be pulled...
3 The airbag can now be pulled away from the wheel far enough to disconnect the two squib connectors and the horn terminal. The squib connectors squeeze together and pull straight out.
4 Grant recommends, and we...
4 Grant recommends, and we agree, that the airbag should be placed face up in a safe location, like a workbench or the floorboard or passenger seat of the car. It is extremely unlikely that the airbag will deploy, but you don’t want to take chances as accidental deployment can cause damage or injury.
5 With the airbag out of...
5 With the airbag out of the way, the electrical connectors for the cruise control and steering mounted switches can be disconnected.
7 Unlike older vehicles,...
7 Unlike older vehicles, a steering wheel puller isn’t necessary; simply pull down and back from the top, and the wheel comes right off. The wiring harness is fed through the provision in the wheel and will be fed back into the new wheel the same way.
6 The retaining bolt is actually...
6 The retaining bolt is actually a 10mm Allen head, requiring a heavy-duty impact or breaker bar to remove. Once broken loose, this fastener is easily removed and retained for use with the new wheel.
8 If equipped, the cruise...
8 If equipped, the cruise control wiring and controller can be removed and installed on the new steering wheel. We found it easiest to use a small screwdriver to remove the switches for the radio and onboard diagnostics.
8b ...We found it easiest...
8b ...We found it easiest to use a small screwdriver to remove the switches for the radio and onboard diagnostics.
9a The switches and trim...
9a The switches and trim are simply held in place by clips and can be pried out while pinching the clips and pulling upward...
9b ...The wiring is then...
9b ...The wiring is then exposed and can be transferred to the Grant wheel with the other components.
10 It only takes a few minutes...
10 It only takes a few minutes to swap all of the wiring, switches, and trim to the new steering wheel, as most components just snap in place. This steering wheel looks sportier than the factory unit and should improve our car’s interior.
11 The Grant wheel has the...
11The Grant wheel has the same provision for wiring, which can be fed through the hole as the steering wheel is installed. The wiring can all be connected now with the exception of the airbag and horn wires which will be the final step.
12 The center retaining bolt...
12 The center retaining bolt is tightened to a torque of 52 lb-ft using a torque wrench. This is the only part of the installation that requires anything but standard (ok, metric) hand tools.
13 Wearing safety glasses,...
13 Wearing safety glasses, the airbag’s electrical terminals can be reconnected before the airbag is installed in the new steering wheel. We must admit this installation was easier than we first anticipated and can be accomplished by even a novice mechanic with the proper tools in a couple of hours.
14 We like the look and feel...
14 We like the look and feel of the new Grant steering wheel, and the gray leather inserts of the wheel are a perfect match to our black and gray leather seats. Check out Grant’s website to see all of the color combinations available for late-model Mopars.
15 Our driving impressions...
15 Our driving impressions of the Grant Revolution steering wheel were very favorable. The wheel is comfortable in the hands, and switches and controls are easy to use. We liked the positioning of the leather inserts, finding the new steering wheel aesthetically appealing as well as fun to drive with.