Steering wheel controls

[Dudleian]

Hi from a newbie Bongoer. I've kind of got used to the steering wheel controls in my (boring old fart) Cmax and when I swap the head unit into the Bongo I would like to have the same sort of luxury - has anyone e changed the steering wheel for something similar, or know of an aftermarket gizmo that might do the same thing? Ta.

[Bob]

Not heard of this being done, but someone may well have.

Do you have an air bag?

And welcome the the Forum.

[callum]

This is a mod that i plan in the future as i have a non airbag bongo (an old one basically!)
The talk is that a Mazda 6 steering wheel fits straight on there, this has cruise control on one side and stereo controls on the other. I wouldn't try to get the CC working, too much for me, but the stereo controls would be top!

[Dudleian]

Thanks both. I've not collected the Bongo yet so I don't know if it has airbags - it's a'95 2.5 diesel so I guess probably not. How far are you into the planning stage with the M6 as I've also got half an idea to eventually invest in CC too. I've also had this slightly mad idea of finding some suitable controls that I can somehow attach around, behind or under the steering wheel and somehow hook into the audio wiring (but I might keep that to myself for a while! )

[Bob]

I fitted the Waeco MS50 years ago, wouldn't be without it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Waeco-MS-50-Cr ... B0000WPNLE

It was about half the price then.

Edit: This is better:

http://www.conrad-electronic.co.uk/ce/e ... se-Control

[callum]

My thoughts got as far as asking the question. My other projects with the van were/are more pressing.
I don't see why you couldn't use the steering wheel cruise buttons in place of the waeco ones, i'm sure there are reasons, but if they so the same things, then why not.
Would be ace.
I like the idea of making mods look as original fitment as possible,of which the steering wheel controls tick a lot of boxes.
Are you talking about controls akin to most French cars where it is effectively a separate stalk?
The cheap double din stereo i fitted in mine has a way of programming buttons into it from steering wheel control, so you can decide what each button does i think. One day!

[cmm303]

There's been a fair amount of discussion on here about changing steering wheels and some simple mods to keep the indicators cancelling properly. Should be retrievable with a search.

I can't remember what CC controls my Mazda 6 had but often there are 4. On, set, re-set, cancel. The Waeco MS 50 works on 3 so might need some investigation. It is possible to get a stalk for the Waeco (costs nearly as much as the CC). I recall Simon Jones fitted one with some tweaks to the wiring. He posted pics.

[Bob]

I've a feeling Simon did a 'Fact Sheet'.

There is a vacuum take off at the front of the engine, no need to cut any pipes. If you reach in from the passenger's seat there is a vertical pipe with a short (about 1/2") T piece off it, protected by a rubber cover.

Grip this cover at the very end and it will pull off, slip on the CC vacuum pipe.

There are 2 blue/white wires behind the instruments, make sure you use the speedo one.

[Dudleian]

Thanks again each - Callum's suggestion of seperate stalls is where my mind was going. I am soon losing the (boring old fart) Cmax which has stalks mounted to the steering shaft covers and there are other fords with the same configuration - my Pumpkin Android (Chinese, but none the worse for that) is also programmable and that's the route I may investigate as I have seen some discussion around the M6 wheel and the need to notify insurance about the mod.
Great forum.

[Jimbobvfr400]

I've fitted an axxxess swcstalk in mine.

It's an aftermarket stereo stalk and I had to import mine from the states, but it works very well.

I'll get some pictures tomorrow but have a Google.

[callum]

I just had a look at that, i like it. More expensive than fitting the alternative wheel though. Easier for me without air bag though i do appreciate.

[Jimbobvfr400]

I was lucky as I got mine for about £50 including postage.

Mines a newer Bongo with airbag so that definitely complicated things, I could be tempted with an RX8 wheel but not sure how easy that would be to achieve.

[Jimbobvfr400]

https://goo.gl/photos/HjfocJvZheZxf8WQ7

[Dudleian]

I'm awaiting delivery of a Cmax radio stalk and the bit of loom that it attaches to - I'm hopeful that I can fashion a mount for it below the wiper stalk and hook it into my stereo through an interface. Apart from the stalk everything else has transfered from my Cmax so the job should only cost a few squids - fingers crossed!

[Jimbobvfr400]

I'm awaiting delivery of a Cmax radio stalk and the bit of loom that it attaches to - I'm hopeful that I can fashion a mount for it below the wiper stalk and hook it into my stereo through an interface. Apart from the stalk everything else has transfered from my Cmax so the job should only cost a few squids - fingers crossed!

I contemplated a similar idea but using the column mounted controls from a Renault Clio.
I think you may struggle for space mounting it on the windscreen wiper side. I but my stalk on the right because the factory stalk for the wipers travels much further, whereas the indicator stalk just goes one click in each direction. I'd love to see what you do so please do keep this or a new thread updated.