So I drive a 2007 mustang GT and I hate the look of the steeringwheel. I like the 2010-2014 steering wheel and I guess since that is S197 I shouldn’t have an issue bolting on. I’ve looked everywhere for people trying to switch S197 to S550 and only found people asking if it’s possible with no definitive answers. I know that the paddle shifters probably will never work but would it be possible to get the rest of the electronics to work?

 

Howdy!

Ok, so I don't have any for sure quotations to give ya, but I'd seen this question before on reddit and I answered it there. Maybe it can be found, but anyway...

Answer's 'yes.' The S550 will 'bolt on' to the S197, not an issue. It will also bolt on the SN95, as well as the Fox. Reason is that Ford pretty much didn't change things much. Made the clocksprings different and wiring thereto on the shaft housing end. All of them are interchangeable. They may not exactly match up in some way, but they bolt right on overall.

The problem winds up being wiring between the different model changes. S550 to 10-14 S197, then 10-14 to 05-09 S197, then again to the SN95s, then again to the Foxes. Each will wind up being a funtime wiring extravaganza of figuring things out. You'll want the wiring diagrams for both for all the switching needed. You can also see a thread here regarding adding wires to the clockspring, which will be needed for all the things extra on the S550 wheel, which does in fact include the paddle shifters. You could make those do something else if you wanted, like, oh, Set/accel on the left one, or maybe the right blows the 'Cucaracha' air horns you're obviously going to install right away.
https://themustangsource.com/forums/...spring-547944/

There's also the consideration that I do not yet know if the airbags are compatible between the car models. I wouldn't want to be quoted 'yes' on that at all. That said, people do swap them out and attach the airbags so... maybe. But that's the reason I ain't doin' it. The S197s from '05-09 fit in the S197 10-14 wheels without an issue, so that's what's typically done: keep the '05-09 bag complete. That won't work on the S550 wheel, hence my hesitation.
Hope that helps, good luck! And welcome to the forums!

 

Here is another thread on the steering wheel swap to the S550. This one is in the 2010-2014 section so may not be a good match for you, but it is the only info on the swap I could find on TMS with a search. HouTex is a great source for info on your gen of the Mustang.

https://themustangsource.com/forums/...l-swap-545452/

 

Hey guys so i put a s550 steering wheel in my s197 and i’m wondering if the s550 clockspring would work on an s197 to save myself from the hassle?

 

Although the S550 steering wheel may look nicer over the 2005-09 S197. Is the swap really worth all the hassle if all the wiring/functions aren't fully compatible? Might be better off going with a 2010-14 S197 swap instead

 

As stated above, you'll need the wiring diagram for the two systems and then figure it out. I can guarantee you that without modifications, no, mostly to absolutely nothing in the S550 wheel will work on the S197 column. The connectors are most likely not compatible at all. And I'd be wary of the airbag without some sort of documentation that it won't blow up or cause the rest of the SRS to not work or other malady upon connection. BE CAREFUL.

That said, excepting the airbag, I can say the wiring is just that: wiring. If you can figure out how to make an S550 clockspring get connected with the right wires to a S197 column harness, you can get the cruise control to work. And past that, if you can sneak in a s550 column harness, or make your own top to bottom from wheel to firewall harness, you can get all them buttons to do whatever it is your lil' heart desires. Including the mandatory Cucaracha horns, of course.

Hope that helps, and a belated Welcome to the Forums!

 

"What he said"