05-22-2019, 02:00 PM
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#31
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Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: San Francisco Ca
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rightyouareken
So, I had a go at buying a cheap kit off ebay to recover my really badly "pebbled" stock leather. The stock leather had also worn through to the suede in a few spots and it really bothered me.
Here's what I ordered. https://www.ebay.com/i/122637477409?chn=ps
First of all, the kit took several weeks to arrive. I suspect they make them when they receive an order, and it takes some time. So don't be expecting it in a few days.
I went with the "presewn" option which means you just have to run thread between the two sides of the seam back and forth. Install took about 5 hours. The stock leather can be easily removed by carefully taking a razor and cutting the thread of the stock stiching. If need be, I could even reinstall the stock cover if I wanted to.
I'm really happy with how parts of it turned out, and don't like how other parts turned out. The upper rim, lower rim and upper spokes are great, but the lower spokes fell like they have a bit of extra material and fit a bit loose despite cinching the stiching and using tabs of glue on the spokes. Still, overall, for $50, I'm happy for now. The new leather feels so much nicer, and it looks pretty good. I'm keeping my eye out for a used wheel in good condition though, or if I really can't find one, I might send it to Craft Customs who will recover it like new for $299.
Before:
During:
Stiching. The presewn option gets you the two parallel rows of stitches on either side of the seam. You then stitch them together, going every other loop on the rim, and every loop around the spokes. It's pretty easy but time consuming, and hard to get perfect around the spokes.
After:
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Got the exact same kit with it pre sewn as well. The instructions that came with it midswell of been in a foreign language, they were horrible lol. But I got it and it looks good/feels solid and I don’t regret doing it. However if I were to do it all over again I would follow Chris fix’s Video on YouTube and start from scratch making my own piece of leather etc.
YouTube
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05-22-2019, 02:12 PM
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#32
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: MS
Posts: 2,508
Real Name: Mark
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@ APhelps
, Not sure that's a good idea, sounds as you would be telling customers what your going to do to their wheel rather than what they want. Chill
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05-22-2019, 03:57 PM
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#33
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Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 528
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 96RedRunner
@ APhelps
, Not sure that's a good idea, sounds as you would be telling customers what your going to do to their wheel rather than what they want. Chill
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I was being sarcastic. If people want to solve relatively simple problems with expensive solutions I should take advantage of that. Pulling a steering wheel out of a camry, sienna, tacoma, or other applicable toyota/lexus solves the issue of a worn steering wheel and gives one OEM fit and finish with or without leather (if one is that picky).
Wheelskins cost just as much and look like crap.
Last edited by APhelps; 05-22-2019 at 04:20 PM.
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07-17-2019, 03:38 PM
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#34
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Atlanta, GA
Age: 33
Posts: 4
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Here's a look at the Wheelskins I just installed. Cost me $53 and took 45 minutes to install. Not a color match but it's the perfect fit for what I needed. Much better grip and feel than the stock steering wheel imo.
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07-17-2019, 04:22 PM
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#35
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Join Date: Jul 2019
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is there a reason why people are not swapping in aftermarket steering wheels in these vehicles? maybe im not looking hard enough, but i dont think ive seen a single 3rd gen with an aftermarket wheel.
i found a thread on here where someone put an IS300 OEM wheel in it. I have a very nice leather personal wheel with a Toms horn button i want to put in my 99 (that, ironically, i was going to put in my IS300 before i sold it), i just have to buy more 'important' stuff in the mean time. getting rid of the airbag is another plus for me, as well as a QR for security purposes.
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07-17-2019, 05:15 PM
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#36
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Big Bear, CA
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My brother briefly talked to mosleymotors and he said he can do a factory-grade rebuild of a 3rd gen steering wheel though he usually does interior work for land cruisers. It'll be pricey but you get some money back when you trade in your old core. There are different options out there... spend more money, save time?
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07-17-2019, 06:22 PM
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#37
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 81
Real Name: Jake
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Quote:
Originally Posted by APhelps
Looks like I should get in the business of re-wrapping steering wheels.
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Or just get over yourself?? Both really good options?
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07-18-2019, 12:20 PM
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#38
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: PNW WA
Posts: 508
Real Name: Christian
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mesooohoppy
is there a reason why people are not swapping in aftermarket steering wheels in these vehicles? maybe im not looking hard enough, but i dont think ive seen a single 3rd gen with an aftermarket wheel.
i found a thread on here where someone put an IS300 OEM wheel in it. I have a very nice leather personal wheel with a Toms horn button i want to put in my 99 (that, ironically, i was going to put in my IS300 before i sold it), i just have to buy more 'important' stuff in the mean time. getting rid of the airbag is another plus for me, as well as a QR for security purposes.
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Probably because most want to keep the airbag functional and a Personal wheel looks completely out of place in a T4R, imo anyway.
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07-18-2019, 12:41 PM
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#39
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 18
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My wheel looked OK, but was worn so smooth it was slippery. I have put Wheelskins on several cars and decided to do it again on the SR5. It takes a little patience and about 45 minutes. I think they hold up well. I used plain black. I like the increased grip size. Not too big, just right.
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07-18-2019, 01:07 PM
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#40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cblock406
Probably because most want to keep the airbag functional and a Personal wheel looks completely out of place in a T4R, imo anyway.
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i prefer mine without, so thats a plus for me. as far as aesthetics, i disagree; i think the personal wheel would go well with my faux wood trim and really class up the joint. it would be even better if i had a tan or oak horn button to complement my interior (my toms one is an off white).
putting a nice wheel on the car, such as a personal or nardi really help improve your driving experience as well. i understand 4runners are not sports cars by any means, but the steering wheel is once of the few components that connects you to the car.
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07-18-2019, 05:06 PM
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#41
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Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mesooohoppy
is there a reason why people are not swapping in aftermarket steering wheels in these vehicles? maybe im not looking hard enough, but i dont think ive seen a single 3rd gen with an aftermarket wheel.
i found a thread on here where someone put an IS300 OEM wheel in it. I have a very nice leather personal wheel with a Toms horn button i want to put in my 99 (that, ironically, i was going to put in my IS300 before i sold it), i just have to buy more 'important' stuff in the mean time. getting rid of the airbag is another plus for me, as well as a QR for security purposes.
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Aftermarket steering wheels are generally kind of expensive especially if you actually want one that isn't a junk ebay one.
The most cost effective solution and generally best solution is pulling a wheel out of another vehicle from a junkyard. Wheelskinz are crap. They look bad and mine lasted only about a year or so before the leather starting to look worn.
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07-19-2019, 11:17 AM
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#42
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understood. thank you. although i see how much some spend on accessories for the 4runner and im still a little baffled why i havent seen a 3rd gen with an aftermarket steering wheel (other than the reasons provided to me earlier).
that being said. there are even companies who make steering wheels in between the junk ebay ones and the expensive nardi/personal/momos that have had problems. one of them being grip royal. ive heard reports of them coming apart (which i imagine would be terrifying). apologies for the off topic. i figured it would be better to ask here than make a new thread to ask a simple question.
edit:
back on topic! not sure if you guys utilize yahoo japan, but you could probably get a decent deal on a steering wheel if you are willing to wait to have it shipped to you via boat (air mail is what usually kills the deal factor). another good option is to use an active military member at okinawa if you know someone. they get a great deal on shipping stuff back to the US and its airmail.
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Last edited by mesooohoppy; 07-19-2019 at 11:20 AM.
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