How To Modify an N15 Nissan Pulsar Steering Wheel To Fit A GQ Patrol

Ok so I have heard of plenty of people fitting N14 and earlier steering wheels to their Patrol and I had heard that fitting a later model Pulsar wheel was possible but nobody had explained what might be involved in making one fit. For ages I have been looking for a mint condition stock standard Patrol wheel, I have seen a few but they always are selling for over $100 which is too much for a twenty year old steering wheel in my opinion. So I found this N15 wheel in the wrecker when scouring for some other parts and thought bugger it I'll give this a go. So here is what I started with.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1341392006

Unscrew the small screw underneath and pull the horn fascia off, then 4 more screws will remove the rear cover and you end up with three bits.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1341392006

This pic shows the rear cover and how I have removed the centre hub part, I did this with a vibrating renovator tool but a dremel should be able to do it aswell.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1341392006

This is the tool I used although you could probably use a dremel or something just as well.

http://www.tool-net.co.uk/data/tools/mutopmf180e.jpg

Now for the fun bit, I used this:

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1341392007

and started attacking the centre hub thingy so that it looks something like this. The whole reason for doing this is because the spline doesn't mesh with the steering wheel spline, so you need to recess this piece further back into the wheel. The pictures should help to explain a bit.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1341392006

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1341392006

The modified piece back into the rear cover bit.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1341392007

Another shot of it sitting back in the housing you can now see how much lower the profile is sticking out.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1341392007

Time to put it back together with some of this stuff.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1341392007

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1341392007

I got a bit carried away with removing stuff and went too far causing the horn contact to no longer touch the contact on the wheel so I extended it a bit with the end of a pop rivet. LOL. yeah a bit dodge but seems to work fine.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1341392007

Final product looks better in the flesh, the pic was taken at night and the flash picks up every little mark. Notice my next project in the background on top of the dash.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1341392007

Nice work.

Cheers yeah pretty happy with the result actually, the wheel feels like it should be there from factory. The indicator and wiper stalks are a little bit further away but not too bad. It had a sports wheel on there before which blocked the speedo completely. I can easily see the gauges now but it is still a bit smaller than a factory GQ wheel. It did take a couple of hours on the dremel grinding and test fitting but I think it was worth the effort to get a modern looking steering wheel.

Nice work there BigMav .................... you wouldn't by any chance be putting up some dimensions and instructions for that dash pod would ya?????

I forgot one pretty important bit with the wheel. The indicator cancel function doesn't work anymore, I know whats wrong just need to figure out how to fix it. Pics to follow when its done.

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Originally Posted by Clunk

Nice work there BigMav .................... you wouldn't by any chance be putting up some dimensions and instructions for that dash pod would ya?????

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I wasn't really planning on getting dimensions mate to be honest its pretty straightforward. I used 6mm ply, a small sheet at bunnings was about 10 bucks. Some cardboard and a stanley knife to get the template for the side bits and thats about it really. I'll see how I go when I finally get to finish it off. I'll at least take some more pics.

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Originally Posted by BigMav

I wasn't really planning on getting dimensions mate to be honest its pretty straightforward. I used 6mm ply, a small sheet at bunnings was about 10 bucks. Some cardboard and a stanley knife to get the template for the side bits and thats about it really. I'll see how I go when I finally get to finish it off. I'll at least take some more pics.

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Not straight forward for a numpty like me!!!!! Lol. But seriously don't worry about it, was just curious is all...... One thing I would ask though, is how will it be mounted to the dash?

Yeah I will use a bit of sheet aluminum or steel which will slot underneath the dashboard at the front and some tabs will stick out the back and screw into the existing screws in the vents just before the windscreen. I'll take heaps of pics and start a thread on it, it will become clear trust me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigMav

Yeah I will use a bit of sheet aluminum or steel which will slot underneath the dashboard at the front and some tabs will stick out the back and screw into the existing screws in the vents just before the windscreen. I'll take heaps of pics and start a thread on it, it will become clear trust me.

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Nice one mate..... looking forward to reading it

Well fixed the issue with the indicators not cancelling. I went and picked up some 4mm roll pins from the local fastener shop and drilled a couple of holes in the right spot and knocked em in place. Cost me a whole 50 cents in parts. lol. I took a pic to show the mod but left the camera in the shed and its too cold to go back out. Yeah I'm soft. Will get pics up asap. All in all now its all working I'm very happy with the steering wheel. Quite a bit of effort involved in making it fit so if you are thinking of going down this path because your old bus steering wheel has seen better days it might be easier to go with an earlier model wheel. I think these look nicer though.

Here is a couple of pics showing what needs to be done to get the indicators to cancel after turning a corner. The first pic shows the 2 holes that need to be drilled out in the welded sections, take your time here as its a bit tricky cos its not a flat surface. The second pic shows one of the roll pins installed. Forgot to get a pic with both installed but you get the drift from these pics. Hope this helps someone thinking of doing the same.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1341728606

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1341728607

I did the same conversion, only mine was by accident. I Thought I'd bought the N14 wheel, only to get home, a hour from the wreckers, to find it didn't quite work. Did the same sort of mods and now I have a standard wheel and the means to replicate it in the future if I need to. Thanks for reminding me about that. You did a better job than me though, I dont think I went into as much detail as you did with the gluing

Thanks, BigMav!!!

I love dragging up an old thread that is actually helpful..

I bought a steering wheel from a member here and was wrapped when it turned up in such good condition... I had not seen these in a GQ and it turns out it was a 97 model... looks more like a GU steering wheel.

But......... It did not fit and was a bit bummed but thought oh well I will sell it on and should not be out of pocket... that was until I found this thread and after a bit of brain power and comparing the write up to my steering wheel I was sure I could make it work.

The Late GQ looks almost the same as the Pulsar but not exactly... and after only a short time have managed to make it work thanks to this thread..

I also need to lengthen the little nob that makes contact as mine is too short but other than that it has been very straight forward.

Thanks Big Mav for this useful thread.

You should know we need pics by now.

yeah Pics or it didnt happen mate!!! you know the drill.

Yeah slacker.... Get on with it

That brass knob thing is for the horn, you can use a soldering iron and build the solder till it touches or you can leave it coz your horn is on a button

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Originally Posted by Alitis007

That brass knob thing is for the horn, you can use a soldering iron and build the solder till it touches or you can leave it coz your horn is on a button

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"I bet you $50 you will not find my horn, I am so clever it is so well hidden and you...." BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP

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Originally Posted by Winnie

"I bet you $50 you will not find my horn, I am so clever it is so well hidden and you...." BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP

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It sounds like a Barinas horn hahahaa

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alitis007

That brass knob thing is for the horn, you can use a soldering iron and build the solder till it touches or you can leave it coz your horn is on a button

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The one reason I am doing this is so I can have a horn on my steering wheel again.... sick of getting all dyslexic when I am trying to find the horn out of frustration to some idiot!!

I have to do something about how shit the GQ horn is..... a Barina has a more manly horn .

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Originally Posted by Bloodyaussie

I have to do something about how shit the GQ horn is..... a Barina has a more manly horn .

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I think it was TD who recommended these. They are cheap, easy to mount, very loud & powerful & very manly! I have one fitted in the GU & girls flock to me every time I sound it.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Motorcycl...5a0a5b9&_uhb=1

Thanks Ian I have bought one.... hope they are ok??

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Originally Posted by Bloodyaussie

Thanks Ian I have bought one.... hope they are ok??

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If you wire it up so that you keep your original horn too, you get the sound of both together & still have a horn should one of them fail. I mounted mine in the engine compartment where my second battery used to be.

Attachment 45362

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigMav

I forgot one pretty important bit with the wheel. The indicator cancel function doesn't work anymore, I know whats wrong just need to figure out how to fix it. Pics to follow when its done.

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Ah I hate those things, always cancelling at the wrong time. Being a former Motorbike rider I got used to cancelling them manually.

Nice job on the wheel and the mod job. I'm in the market for a new wheel to replace my roasted one, this might be an option if I can't find a GQ wheel.

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Originally Posted by Cuppa

If you wire it up so that you keep your original horn too, you get the sound of both together & still have a horn should one of them fail. I mounted mine in the engine compartment where my second battery used to be.

Attachment 45362

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And I thought the old air horns from my Feroza I am thinking of installing in the GQ is over kill. Perhaps I should go a step further and get one of those and install both. Would certainly turn heads. lol