BCNR33 Series 1 - Momo Factory Option Steering Wheel

[Hella_GTR]

Hi all,

Quick question for my recently purchased Series 1 BCNR33 here in Japan.  Does the factory option momo steering wheel, like the one in the link below, functionally work, plug and play so-to-say, for a series 1?  I know the Series 1 and different from the Series 2 and 3 with respect to the airbag module.  So I would imagine a momo steering wheel for a series 1 would be different than the series 2/3 momo factory option steering wheels.  That all said, I can't find any confirming info on the momo wheel if it was offered only for the series 1 or not. 

Bottom line is the series 1 wheel is pretty ugly and looking for a functional option to make it...better.

Thanks for any help!

 

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b413673374

[Hella_GTR]

Hate to bring this back alive but another really clean momo wheel popped up on yahoo auctions. If anyone knows if the momo optional wheel works on the Series 1, please let me know 👍 thank you 

[joshuaho96]

https://nissan.epc-data.com/skyline/bcnr33/3935-rb26dett/misc/D84/KD8400/

Survey says no, the Momo wheel only works with Skylines from 8/1996. I got over the series 1 wheel eventually but I grew up with cars that had those massive airbags. I figure it's probably less likely to fail than the newer airbags as well, seems like the 1st generation air bags in the 90s have been less likely to turn into anti-personnel mines with age.

[PLYNX]

Yes I have done this conversion on a mates car and physically it fits no problem.

The conversion that I did was on a NON airbag model and could be left disconnected

HOWEVER as to the functionality of the air bag electronics it will be a bit of a dilemma.

Even if you change over the signal wire plugs to the airbag you cant test it as you will blow apart the very rare and expensive Momo wheel you've just bought.

If you leave it disconnected you air bag light will come on as it senses an error.

So you have to consider what you want to do, leave the airbag disconnected (not legal in anyway and if it all goes pear shaped you will be liable in a big way) and pull out the bulb so the light doesn't come on and drive you nuts.

Or make it look good and hope for the best

[joshuaho96]

2 hours ago, PLYNX said:

Yes I have done this conversion on a mates car and physically it fits no problem.

The conversion that I did was on a NON airbag model and could be left disconnected

HOWEVER as to the functionality of the air bag electronics it will be a bit of a dilemma.

Even if you change over the signal wire plugs to the airbag you cant test it as you will blow apart the very rare and expensive Momo wheel you've just bought.

If you leave it disconnected you air bag light will come on as it senses an error.

So you have to consider what you want to do, leave the airbag disconnected (not legal in anyway and if it all goes pear shaped you will be liable in a big way) and pull out the bulb so the light doesn't come on and drive you nuts.

Or make it look good and hope for the best

Pretty sure the reason why it's not compatible is because the series 1 airbag has both the controller and the airbag in the wheel. The later series 2/3 wheels relocate the control unit. You would have to follow this conversion guide to do it right: https://www.gtr.co.uk/threads/r33-single-twin-airbag-conversion.8977/

Like I said, more effort than it's worth IMO. If you really want to do it you can, but I've made my peace with the steering wheel. One of those things where the more you look at it the less awful it becomes. At least they never put into production another prototype wheel which joined the bottom two spokes into one big spoke that looked especially awful.

It's also worth mentioning, if you have the dual airbag setup it really complicates access to the evaporator box if you ever need to repair the HVAC door servo.

Edited May 24, 2021 by joshuaho96

[Hella_GTR]

Hi guys, thank you for the confirmation on my suspicions.  I am glad I didn't pull the trigger.  Honestly since the time I wrote the original post to now, the original wheel has grown on me.  Most guys I know here in Japan just pull it off and put on a non-airbag wheel. I also won't need an airbag in the US (odd since I'd have to do California compliance).  I actually like the safety of it but opt for a non airbag wheel if I begin to track the car.  I wish I had a dual airbag s1 but mine only has the drivers side.  I will say the old original wheel has a unique 90's car feel to it.  Thanks for the link as well.  Original wheel FTW.  

Thanks again guys, I get a lot of help from this site.  I can't find an online resource like this that the locals use.  Blogs seem to be the thing.