I've seen a rather nice looking X300 steering wheel on eBay that would match my XJ8's interior a lot better than the current one. Does anyone know if the XJ6 steering wheel is compatible with the XJ8? Thanks.

 

2 places I would check with would be an indy mechanic who does restorations or a dealer.

 

Yes, it will fit BUT if you have steering wheel controls, you'll have to bolt them on. The airbag though will NOT fit! You NEED the XJ8 airbag for it.

 

Thank you Daim, yes in the end the wheel itself fit just fine, I took out the controls and the wires that connect to the two spring loaded plates, then I removed the plastic backing behind the metal frame (which the controls attach to). I then swapped the XJ8 wheel plastic backing with the XJ6 plastic backing, and reattached the controls. It wasn't a difficult job (other than getting the torx screws behind the wheel off which was fiddly), no extra bolts required. Looks good as the wood matches the trim. And to confirm yes the airbag connection is slightly different and won't fit. Thanks, p.s., the XJ-S in your signature looks fantastic.

 

I know it's been some time since this was originally posted, However, I was hoping to do the opposite and need some clarification.
I've found an X308 Walnut Burl steering wheel for sale and am hoping to purchase it for my X300. Can anyone offer any more information, clarifying if I will be able to continue to use my X300 Horn/Airbag, As the X308 steering wheel doesn't come with one?

 

I don't know the fitment of parts for the Rest Of The World but I would guess that the AIRBAG will have a completely different connector!!!!!

Good Luck and check the connectors BEFORE you commit to installation.

bob

 

Hello Mikey B10,
How did you get on with this as I am in the same boat.
John.

 

Sorry, Jon, cant really help. I didn't go down the X308 to X300 rout.
I ended up purchasing a second-hand Wood trimmed steering wheel from an X300 sport. I haven't fitted it yet as I'm still debating on how to colour the black leather to Antelope or whether I should bother. It's kind of on the back burner, worst case Ill turn it into a clock and mount it on the wall of my garage

 

The most important part is missing!
What / how did you sort the connector problem?
Please let us know.
John.

 

I just put an X308 wheel in my X305. The X300 airbag interferes with the button pods of the X308, so they have to be removed. My original '95 wheel has foam rubber molded straight onto the back of the spokes rather than a plastic backing shell.

The combination of these two factors means that the new(-old stock) wheel has to show off some guts, as installed, through where the buttons would be. Looks like the backshell could use some Retr0bright too.

I like the feel of the all-leather wheel much better. I prefer the fancy look of the part-wood wheel, but the laquer on the top has a deep crack all the way across. Bonus, the steering is now straight-on rather than a spline off to the left.

The airbag retainer bolts on both wheels are T30. They are captive. I think I read that X308 cars have a 15mm drive center bolt; mine is 17mm. #2 Phillips is the only other tool I used for this.

The spade connections for the horn contacts slid off the X308 wheel easily, but the X300 ones seem to be arranged to latch on permanently, so I just unbolted the airbag retainer bars (containing the moving horn contacts) and moved the old bars along with the horn wire pigtail to the new wheel.