Steering Column

[StuSam]

Hi guys, I’m hoping someone will be able to help me with my car! 
 

I’ve recently bought an auto 2005 Subaru Legacy TBSTI from Japan and I absolutely love it! I do have a few little creature comfort issues though, I need to find out how to retrofit cruise control and steering wheel buttons to start with (how can a car with such good spec not have simple things like those!) 

 

My main issue is the adjustability of the steering column, I’m over 6ft and with how far back I have to sit, I feel like my fingertips are just on the wheel rather than having a comfortable grip! 
 

I’m wondering if anyone knows if there’s a difference between the jdm and ukdm columns and if it’s possible to swap them? My thinking is that the UK spec column will have more adjustment but should just be a straight swap as there’s not really any electrics involved with it. Am I right in thinking this?

 

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Stuart

[KZJonny]

Somewhere on here user Madrig chronicled his efforts at swapping in a telescoping steering shaft. It’s all there in photos, with a Quebecois narration that takes just a little bit of interpretation to make clear. Tabarnac!!
 

Not a simple procedure exactly, but if you can do a little welding, it shouldn’t be a problem.

As far as buttons, I believe it is do-able, but required a bunch if wiring harness work, if the ‘05 isn’t already equipped for it. (Might be? My ‘05 base level Outback was plug and play with a steering wheel that has shift buttons)

I tend to disagree with you about why such a car came without steering wheel controls, since I think a ‘driver’s car’ should not have such silly distraction, and I would just have to delete them if they had come with my car!! To each their own!

[StuSam]

Right okay, I’ll have a look for that thread now, thank you!

 

Maybe I’ll try buying the buttons and seeing if they are plug and play, if not I can figure out how to wire them in myself. 
 

You are right, for me on long cruising journeys steering wheel buttons would be useful, I find the shift buttons pointless on both sides, I’d rather have one side be volume switches and the other shift buttons!

[Febreze Mee]

I'm 6'2" and comfortably drive one of our cars, with my wrist able to be hung on the wheel, everyday. I believe this vid will help a bunch. Otherwise, you will have to get creative with swapping/designing a telescopic wheel.