new steering wheel

i might be getting a 2004 silverado ls with the regular steering wheel. i want to buy one with the controls on it. if i just put the new steering wheel in al the hookups should be there and everything should work with just changing the wheel right? if so, how would i change the wheel and remove/install the airbag?

you will probably have to change the SIR coil out as well. if the body module will accept the commands with new SIR coil, then you are good togo, and all options should work. never tried a "transplant" like this before, but is worth a shot. chances are though that the SIR coil on the truck will not have the connectors on it, so as i said this will need to be changed as well.

as for removing the airbag, read my sig BEFORE reading further. as it says, i have NO responsibility whatsoever. disable airbag system by removing negative battery cable, AND airbag/SIR fuse. wait 5 minutes. on each side of steering wheel, there is a little hole, just big enough for a SMALL screwdriver. use a small flat bladed one, GENTLY stick it into the hole straight, and you should come up to a spring(you will not be able to see it with screwdriver in there, but you may be able to shine a flashlight in there and see it). push on spring, and GENTLY pull airbag out a little. repeat for hole on other side, and disconnect both airbag connectors. set it with the chevy logo facing up. chances of the airbag deploying are 1,000,000:1(not sure if real figure, but not likely to inflate during this procedure), but correct precautions must be taken just in case. now wheel can be removed. SIR coil should be held in with snap ring, remove that, unlpug connectors for it under dash, and remove. install in reverse order. remember, BE CAREFUL! the steering column trim covers may need to be removed as well.

what is the sir coil and how much would that cost. is it hard to take out ?

The clockspring is a ribbon wire that is coiled up inside the steering column. This component is the subject of many discussions on these threads. Many times the steering wheel or column is disconnected and then rotated beyond the center position it is require to be in. This will cause the clockspring wire to break. The clockspring delivers current to all of the systems above it… the airbag, cruise control and horn. When it fails (and they do a lot) the wire breaks leaving one or all of the circuits open and inoperative. This will cause the airbag light to come on and shut down the airbag system. As long as that light is on, the airbags will NOT deploy, even in an accident. Sometimes it’s intermittent as the wire begins to break. Once it breaks completely, the ‘airbag’ light will illuminate.
This was a factory recall for many vehicles and many customers are unaware of that.
Check out this site for information on researching your own vehicle for factory recalls!!!
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/nhtsa.aspx
…or contact your local dealer and they will accommodate the replacement for you.
Check out these web pages for a more complete description:

http://www.airbagsolutions.com
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/docs/Clockspring.pdf
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/resources.aspx