High Plains Drifter
Junior Member
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2014
- Posts
- 6
- Reaction score
- 2
- Ram Year
- 2002
- Engine
- 4.7 H.O
I have seen countless threads on the web about this. Even people trying to claim others have mounted the later 04-08 steering wheel in a 02-03 but the connectors were different. This is a LIE.
The wheel will not even mount up. 02-03 RAM steering wheel uses a smooth press in type center on the steering wheel, with a small groove machined in to install it in the correct spot. The 04-08 wheel uses the typical teeth style pattern. 02-08 is basically a carry over from the previous generation of dodge trucks. 02-03 steering wheels mount identical to 2001 shaft wise.
Moving on
I acquired an entire 04 column to put into my 02 RAM, it bolts up and everything on the 02 plugs in, key barrel swaps in. But another problem arises, the knuckle that connects to the steering rack is machined slightly different which does not allow the 04-08 column to slip in. Changing the knucle is not a big deal depending how far you want to go with a cosmetic steering wheel swap. Other wise this swap will work perfect with all of the parts listed.
So there you have it. If someone says they have mounted a factory 04-08 wheel on a 02-03 column they haven't.
The wheel will not even mount up. 02-03 RAM steering wheel uses a smooth press in type center on the steering wheel, with a small groove machined in to install it in the correct spot. The 04-08 wheel uses the typical teeth style pattern. 02-08 is basically a carry over from the previous generation of dodge trucks. 02-03 steering wheels mount identical to 2001 shaft wise.
Moving on
I acquired an entire 04 column to put into my 02 RAM, it bolts up and everything on the 02 plugs in, key barrel swaps in. But another problem arises, the knuckle that connects to the steering rack is machined slightly different which does not allow the 04-08 column to slip in. Changing the knucle is not a big deal depending how far you want to go with a cosmetic steering wheel swap. Other wise this swap will work perfect with all of the parts listed.
So there you have it. If someone says they have mounted a factory 04-08 wheel on a 02-03 column they haven't.