Raptor Steering Wheel Install

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5280tunage

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Even better, thank you. Ordered mine. Assuming you swapped the buttons correct? I can't tell from any of the dealer parts order sites what sort of layout the buttons come in. That's the only part that scares me, seems like the buttons might break easy.
 

TheDoug

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Even better, thank you. Ordered mine. Assuming you swapped the buttons correct? I can't tell from any of the dealer parts order sites what sort of layout the buttons come in. That's the only part that scares me, seems like the buttons might break easy.

I swapped the buttons... Raptors were slightly different config
 

TheDoug

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Wha


What buttons are different?

Don't quote me on this, it's been almost a year, but it has the button for heated steering wheel instead of something the expy has. And something on cruise control side was different.

It was really easy to swap
 

5280tunage

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So do swap the button pods (with all buttons intact) or do you pop the plastic off somehow for the actual buttons? I will have to look around for a video or some directions or something. Thanks. Look forward to it.
 

TheDoug

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So do swap the button pods (with all buttons intact) or do you pop the plastic off somehow for the actual buttons? I will have to look around for a video or some directions or something. Thanks. Look forward to it.

The entire pod comes out with just a couple of three screws on each side.

There are several videos of f150 guys doing the swap.
 

mcb345

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Paddle shifters on the expedition would be nice! I know people question why you need them on this truck but when you own cars with them and then all of the sudden don't have them it’s brutal!

Great for downhill speed control, quick lane change downshift, or just holding a gear for a little longer to actually hear some engine!

I wish they I’d this steering wheel without the red line at the top though so it still looked stock..
 

LokiWolf

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Anybody use the Raptor Button config? I like the heated button on the wheel, and the Mode buttons. Coding most likely will be involved.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

5280tunage

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Anybody use the Raptor Button config? I like the heated button on the wheel, and the Mode buttons. Coding most likely will be involved.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I tried but they didn't work properly. The pinouts are different. So the buttons did t actually do what the icons showed.

I did complete my install, super easy if I didn't have to do some of it 3 or 4 times. I love that it's prewired for the paddles but it kills me that for a $400 steering wheel, an $80k msrp vehicle doesn't just come with it. The raptor wheel is definitely nicer and more comfortable.

I had to disconnect the battery several times, once I figured out the buttons didn't work, and then a couple of times to straighten the wheel. It was off by just a few degrees so my advice is, before you take things apart, backup and pull forward several times in your driveway, to make sure the wheel is centered, then start the process. I didnt swap the button pods, I swapped the whole plastic piece with the pods still attached, as the raptor plastic had a speckled grey pattern instead of the stripes, just didn't match the rest of interior.
 

joethefordguy

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depending on costs; I'd do it just for the paddle shifters. I think they're the best thing since sliced bread. I don't even have to be racing to like them. duh.
 

5280tunage

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So far it was absolutely worth it, I'm having issues getting it perfectly centered but the wheel feels better. Grip is better. I wish it didn't have the red stripe, but oh well.
 

5280tunage

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Hey all, have a question for the group. Take a look at the picture below. You may notice the wheel is slightly rotated to the right, but this is when the vehicle is tracking straight on the road. I've tried half a dozen times to take it apart, rotate the wheel partially the left before locking down the bolt holding the wheel in place. There are two guide posts on the steering column that really prevent the wheel from going on crooked, but no matter what I do it's just a few degrees off. Does anyone know of a trick to get this straight again? Or is it a ridiculous matter of getting an alignment?

I know, it's just a few degrees, but it drives me nuts that its not perfectly centered while tracking perfectly straight. Would love some ideas.

Oh, and how annoying, I was next to a Honda Pilot today, newer but not current model, and it had paddle shifters. Those things are half the price of the Expy, what a sham.

PXL_20210120_235052819.MP~1.jpg
 
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5280tunage

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@LokiWolf and @DWs-TTEB - you two seem to be very familiar with these vehicles, do you have any advice on getting the steering wheel perfectly centered again after putting the raptor wheel on? Or would this really need the extreme of an alignment? I've tried probably 6 or 7 times, holding the wheel slightly to the right while torque-ing it down. Doesn't seem to make a difference.
 

DWs-TTEB

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@LokiWolf and @DWs-TTEB - you two seem to be very familiar with these vehicles, do you have any advice on getting the steering wheel perfectly centered again after putting the raptor wheel on? Or would this really need the extreme of an alignment? I've tried probably 6 or 7 times, holding the wheel slightly to the right while torque-ing it down. Doesn't seem to make a difference.
Before a professional alignment I’d try the DIY alignment by turning the tie rods and seeing if that does it. YT is full of these.
if that does do it, still recommend the professional alignment (get all 4 wheels done since your there).
 

5280tunage

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Correct but only the center sleeve, I left the bolt the full length, as it's pretty hard to compress the brand new bushing enough to get the nuts on. I think I'm going to flip mine as well, right now I have the nut side on top, but I think it will be better to have the nut and excess facing down towards the ground. I only worry because of the hoses up top, I'd rather not have the threaded bolt side anywhere near those. Hope that makes sense.
 

5280tunage

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PERFECT! Let me know how those rears work out, I might get a set of those as well. Not sure I need them, even the Hellwig rear bar is pretty small.
 
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