DIY: Steering wheel replacement with black wood wheel

[emelianenkov]

Yep! Kirk's stuff is showing up today actually.

Annndddd I'm doing Jason DeMello's gauges soon! Ohhh the doors they are a-opening with that job!

 

[95supra]

I contacted the seller of the steering wheels and had them send me the less aggressive wheel. really like the way it looks and feels. definitely worth the $$$

 

[RedSled]

I contacted the seller of the steering wheels and had them send me the less aggressive wheel. really like the way it looks and feels. definitely worth the $$$

Looks great.

 

[CookieRoe]

I contacted the seller of the steering wheels and had them send me the less aggressive wheel. really like the way it looks and feels. definitely worth the $$$

It takes some getting used to. Problem is, the "more aggressive" wheel is spoiling me. My parents Lexus (ES/RX) have wood/leather combo on them, but have no grooves or the sort. They now seem cheap to me, hhahahah.

I think something needs to be said about that ebay seller. A few on here either sent them back (exchange) or flat out got it free (one member did, he had the option to keep it for free) b/c it wasn't exactly what was described. All this with no complains. Kudos to them!

Anyway, [MENTION=110200]95supra[/MENTION] , your wheel looks great!

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I contacted the seller of the steering wheels and had them send me the less aggressive wheel. really like the way it looks and feels. definitely worth the $$$

Looks great, I like the look a lot better. I'm getting my steering wheel control LED's switched and then I can finally install my wheel! :mod:

 

[toyo]

That is the wheel they sent me by accident! I really enjoy mine.
What is this Demello gauge stuff y'all are talking about?

 

[emelianenkov]

Well I was supposed to be doing Jason's gauges but haven't heard from him in a while

 

[CookieRoe]

That is the wheel they sent me by accident! I really enjoy mine.
What is this Demello gauge stuff y'all are talking about?

Jason Demello has an online "off road" store. Apparently he is well known, Alex ( [MENTION=63211]emelianenkov[/MENTION] ) is doing his cluster gauge LED swap. Hopefully that will trickle down to his customers so Alex can do them for his customers. That would be cool. Alex does good work.

 

[emelianenkov]

That would be awesome.

Just reached out to him again. Hopefully I get some business

 

[Jassco]

I just ordered and got the $200 offer instantly. Given the price of these that is not a bad price for any wheel. I did ask the seller a question making sure the wheel comes with hand grips to hopefully get the wheel in the picture.

The guy before me must had some greasy hands because no matter how much I clean it the stock wheel is always sticky and greasy. The 5th gens have the hand grips, but the cheaper easy scratch plastics on the steering forks bugged me a lot. This is the best of both worlds for me. Great find!

Did anyone need a wheel puller here or did I miss that part?

 

[CookieRoe]

Did anyone need a wheel puller here or did I miss that part?

OP didn't need one, but he is an installer so he knows what he is doing. Don't really need one, but be ready for when it comes loose (while you are pulling at it) and punches you in the face. Not fun. Pull on it, but wiggle it loose. Just be sure to mark the wheel so you know exactly where to install the new one. Wheel pullers can be rented at Advance Auto (for free I think). Takes 5 minutes and wheel comes off nice and easy. I bought mine due to other projects planned, besides, it was cheap. Mine was $20.

$200? Yep, magic number. I'm sure there are people who fully pay the $250 they are asking..........

Post pics when your are done!

 

[Jassco]

Thanks, I'll put a pillow over it and pull like an idiot when it comes time. I will update on that for those who care, but I'm sure each one is different. It matches my Urban Runner dark trim well from looking at pics.

Edit: I see OP didn't use one, but recommends for obvious reasons. I know the trick about leaving the nut on the end to prevent the wheel from giving you a face job helps too.

 

[emelianenkov]

Just keep the wheel nut threaded on a few turns. It'll keep you from punching yourself in the face

 

[gshadow325]

i am glad everyone is having similar success with their wheels. like [MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION] said, something should be said about the seller. they send it out amazingly fast from the other side of the world. they take care of problems as we have seen from other members! now that i have this wheel installed, i have a habit of making sure my hands are clean before i drive it. everyday i enjoy driving my truck.
[MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION], you need to post up where you got the matching shift knob. I like it!

 

[CookieRoe]

i have a habit of making sure my hands are clean before i drive it. everyday i enjoy driving my truck.

[MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION], you need to post up where you got the matching shift knob. I like it!

Ha! That's funny... Me too, I also try to keep my hands clean before I drive anywhere, before I didn't care.

Where to get shifter?

linky: Lexus RX350 RX450H Lexus ES Is GS LS Leather Gear Shift Knob Black Wood | eBay

when the above link eventually expires, here is some info:

In ebay type: "Lexus ES IS GS LS leather gear shift knob Black Wood" or similar words.
seller: padasonus
I paid $50.
Warning: This is not an OEM part. I THINK there are, but are as rare as hen's teeth. Expect to pay $85+ for an OEM. Also: the shifter feels smaller than OEM, but look identical to the OEM shifter.

 

[gshadow325]

Ha! That's funny... Me too, I also try to keep my hands clean before I drive anywhere, before I didn't care.

Where to get shifter?

linky: Lexus RX350 RX450H Lexus ES Is GS LS Leather Gear Shift Knob Black Wood | eBay

when the above link eventually expires, here is some info:

In ebay type: "Lexus ES IS GS LS leather gear shift knob Black Wood" or similar words.
seller: padasonus
I paid $50.
Warning: This is not an OEM part. I THINK there are, but are as rare as hen's teeth. Expect to pay $85+ for an OEM. Also: the shifter feels smaller than OEM, but look identical to the OEM shifter.

current auction
Lexus RX350 RX450H Lexus ES Is GS LS Leather Gear Shift Knob Black Wood | eBay

offered $40 waiting now for a response

 

[gshadow325]

current auction
Lexus RX350 RX450H Lexus ES Is GS LS Leather Gear Shift Knob Black Wood | eBay

offered $40 waiting now for a response

offer accepted for $40..thanks [MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION]

 

[CookieRoe]

offer accepted for $40..thanks [MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION]

Nice!

 

[Jassco]

It was pretty easy swap and I love the feel of the wheel. It matches the dark wood on the console/doors and does ok against the alcantara. It came shipped very quickly in a few days from Taiwan to Boston. I was impressed. It does match the airbag cover very well, so no worries about matching the grey.

 

[SSt4r]

OK, ordered.

Offered $198 and got no reply. Immediately accepted at $200 so looks like 199 is the minimum.