Installing 08-09 steering wheel w/audio controls into 05-07.

Look at you. You're just like Dominic Toretto, living your life 1/4 mile at a time. Let's be honest, at those speeds, who can afford to take your hand off the steering wheel to change the radio? Also, who wants to wait around until a Spec B gets totaled or shell out almost $400 for a brand new steering wheel? That's why I am here for you. I am here for you with solutions because I love you. Now, you too can rock this steering wheel in your 2005 LGT with working audio and cruise controls.

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2469/4063087396_9fc5ecfc8a.jpg

 

But MasAyinde, how can I buy one of the numerous newer steering wheels on ebay and get it to work in my 05-07 LGT?

 

Hush, my child. For you to accept the awesomeness of this mod, first your car must be ready to accept the awesomeness of steering wheel audio controls.

 

Follow this guide: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/install-steering-wheel-radio-controls-26232.html

 

Good, now your car is ready. Is your body ready? I hope so.

 

MasAyinde, what will I need to do this?

 

STFU, my child. Besides what is outlined in the aforementioned guide, you need:

 

- Superglue

- TINY flathead screwdriver (think eyeglass or jewelry)

- Four small paperclips or pins

- Steering wheel from 08-09 Legacy, 08-12 Forester or 08-14 WRX/STi (some of these steering wheels have more controls such as bluetooth/SI drive and display select.) You can remove these if you want by unscrewing them and going without them, or you can leave them in for the look even though they won't be funtional. (lol ricer.) In all seriousness, I am working on a way to get the multi-display select and SI drive buttons working in a 2007 LGT.

- Airbag from the same range of cars.

 

Let us begin.

 

Look at these steering wheel controls.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i126/sdcerreta/Subio/SWAudioControlSwitch12.jpg

The plug is different from your measly 05-07 plug, because the clock spring is different. You have two plugs; a 5 pin one for SWAC and a 3 pin one for cruise. This is an 8 pin plug. That's right, 3+5=8. I know you can see what's going on here. We just need to move some plugs around and we'll be set.

 

Let's be honest, you're removing that white connector and you're not going to be able to sell it for anything, so who cares if it gets destroyed. There is a flap on the bottom that needs to pop out by putting the screwdriver in the rectangular tabs and prying up, and then the front of the connector separates from the main part of the connector. Then you need to take the tiny screwdriver and pop up the tabs holding the connectors in from the front. What you end up with is this:

 

http://i.imgur.com/Y0NTvRo.jpg

 

Now let's go to the green connector coming from your current steering wheel. You should only have one wire in it. This one we can't afford to damage. There's a little flap on the bottom that needs to be pushed to the front of the connector and then popped up. Now it's ready to get penetrated by the new steering wheel's wires. Take the red, black, white and blue wires and connect them into the green connector like this:

 

http://i.imgur.com/wTHBhyW.jpg

 

You'll notice that they are loose, and this is no good. Now it's time to take your 4 tiny paperclips or pins and put them GENTLY into the connector to anchor the wires, like so:

 

http://i.imgur.com/LrZc9Kg.jpg

 

While these wires are anchored, put a dab of superglue in each of the 5 individual housings for each wire where they insert. Leave the paper clips in while it cures. Put the little flap thingy back. Steering wheel audio is done!

 

Now cruise:

 

Unscrew your cruise control stalk from your existing steering wheel. Or don't, whatever. I'm not your mom. You now have 2 options. You can cut the connector off leaving a little more than an inch of wiring and splice it into the new steering wheel controls, or you can pull connectors apart again and redo wiring. Either way, the old wires should go into the 3 pin connector like this:

 

http://i.imgur.com/hlWOwUy.jpg

 

Holy shitsnacks, you're done! Plug the two connectors in, plug in the airbag connectors, attach the ground from the green connector to the airbag, put the steering wheel and airbag back on, tighten the T30 screws, reconnect the battery, and enjoy your new hotness.

 

 

TL;DR:

 

http://i.imgur.com/mmbIQYj.jpg

Edited June 3, 2016 by MasAyinde

:golfclap:

 

#mashastheclapnow

Nicely done. Subbed for future use, when my body (wallet) is ready

Ah you beat me to this. I bought all the stuff and had it ready to go lol. I just did mine today, your guide helped me with the wiring though so thanks. I also have bluetooth controls on mine so I'm going to figure out how to install a microphone and wire that up somehow. For anyone looking at this swap I took some footage as I was doing it and post up a vid here once I sort it out.

 

'05 momo to '11 STI

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp188/Ryan_Pineapple/2_zps5zduo7n1.jpg

Hey I'm looking forward to that video!! Also where did you get your airbag/ cover?

Im going to revisit this thread. I have an 08 STI wheel and im going to start the wiring. I have the trigger shifters which i beleive is just a plug, which i will not use any longer. Anyone else have that issue?

So you're 5EAT? The shifters should screw into the new wheel, and the harness for them can still be used. You'll have to use your old plastic backing plate.

i was hoping to switch the cruise control over and get rid of the stalk to make it a cleaner look. I didnt think the trigger shifters would fit into the contour of the new wheel. Ill be taking mine apart shortly.

Remember, that wheel is used on ALL 08-14 Imprezas and ALL 08-12 Foresters. It will work.

 

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/legacy/Leg08gtsteeringwhl1.JPG

I got it all put together, but the buttons didnt fit on the new wheel. No worries anyway. I cut the plug and just used teh cruise control. The stereo buttons arent used yet, Ill wire those up later down the road.

I'm lost here. You simply re wired the green connector with the audio control wire from the new wheel and it plugs back in, and the audio controls work? or am I missing something here? I thought you had to run wires from the controls to the back of the radio?

You are missing something. Reread the part about getting your car ready for this mod

You are missing something. Reread the part about getting your car ready for this mod

 

Yeah I've re read it. So you're saying I have to follow the guide linked at the top and then come back to this one to re wire the wires with the green connector and then it should be set?

Yes, exactly

You are missing something. Reread the part about getting your car ready for this mod

 

Yes, exactly

 

Do you know if this will be the same with an aftermarket radio?

Do you know if this will be the same with an aftermarket radio?

 

It should if the aftermarket radio says it works with factory controls.

I'm thinking catted dp may be in my future.

I'm thinking catted dp may be in my future.

 

I also have a catted DP and this mod works fine with it.

I also have a catted DP and this mod works fine with it.

:lol::lol:

Lol holy moly wrong thread. Good to know it's compatible hahah

I'm getting ready to do this. Thanks for the information.

 

I'd rather not cut my connector off the oem cruise switch. I've been searching for the connector but can't seem to source it. It should be a yakazi or amp/tyco connector but I can't find one that looks similar.

 

Anyone have any ideas for a source on the connector?

 

I know it is a 3 terminal/pin, female, unsealed housing. I believe, based on measuring that the pins are .064 mm.

 

Thanks for any ideas.

I just did mine on a Forester.

 

Cruise control light comes up on the dash and the illumination works. Now I have to get these audio controls functional now. Any tips? My Forester never came with these audio controls.

Giving this a bump because I found the pins for the oem green connector so you can re-pin the wires and plug them in the connector instead of gluing them in.

 

Green 5 Pin socket: JAE IL-AG5-5S-S3C1

 

Pins for socket: JAE IL-AG5-C1-5000