leather steering wheel

[APhelps]

I was mostly being funny about the boogers. But some people want to pay for a full restoration and be proud of that, for me I clicked away $10 at Amazon from my sofa for a wrap which I'm very happy about. You went to the junkyard and you're stoked. My only point is there is a bunch of ways to get it done, hard to say there is a best way.

I disagree, there's a level of fit and finish one should desire. It is also significantly more work to sew the needle through those things rather than swap the steering wheel.

If you want to throw a wheel cover on you're just better off going the cheap and easy route.

I had one of those wheelskins cover like you have and mine fell apart after about a 1 1/2 years and was significantly more expensive than the ebay one.

End up with Toyota quality and proper fit and finish for marginally more money.

 

[pokeyman]

I think I will just remove the leather on the steering wheel and be happy with it and spend my money on other upgrades.

 

[DaMonkey]

I disagree, there's a level of fit and finish one should desire.

Well I agree with you there. I desired mine, you desired yours, they desired theirs. On some things I desire to not desire lol. Or even a desire to pull the cover off and be on their way like OP has decided. But no, a Camry wheel from junkyard is not best way for everyone because it worked for you. Disagree here, and that is okay. I’m not here to change your mind, but just as a reminder to those that contributed their ideas, it’s all valuable information.

It is also significantly more work to sew the needle through those things rather than swap the steering wheel.

If you want to throw a wheel cover on you're just better off going the cheap and easy route.

I had one of those wheelskins cover like you have and mine fell apart after about a 1 1/2 years and was significantly more expensive than the ebay one.

End up with Toyota quality and proper fit and finish for marginally more money.

I like mine, and if I get to sew another one on in 1.5 years, maybe I’ll try a new color. Or leave it. Maybe I’ll try better quality. Or throw down for full restoration in the spirit of fit n finish. Who knows maybe head for the junkyard and pull a used Camry wheel, but I doubt it. And no judgement to you for your choices. Nice to see you shared that option. My point for those that seek information, is that may not be best for everyone. Or maybe it is - that’s why I did not share my disagreement as a matter of fact.

Where’s meh beer? Now that’s valuable information right about now. :tongue:

 

[DaMonkey]

Anyone has a picture of the steering wheel with the leather removed?

This was a San Diego truck not garaged. The reptilian surface was under the factor cover that lost it's finish. Didn't expect that.

 

[sleepydad]

This was a San Diego truck not garaged. The reptilian surface was under the factor cover that lost it's finish. Didn't expect that.

<a href="https://imgur.com/0znx6xz"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/0znx6xzl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[repo]

Here is the Wheelskin after about 6 years. I got some harsh window cleaner on it not long after I installed it which started a chain reaction of the shiny top finish peeling off. I like it better matte tbh so I dont care. I took my time lacing it up and it is still super solid. No complaints.

 

[96RedRunner]

I don't see or understand the point of spending 300 dollars on a steering wheel to re-wrap it in leather when there's significantly cheaper options out there that are available.
That 300 dollars can easily go towards replacing your worn out driver's seat instead. .

It's my money I'll spend it to suit me!! as you do. I did the seats before wheel, ha.
3 of us mentioned craft customs proof it's a good place to do business is all that amounts to if OP chooses to go that route.
The OP was not asking to be told what to do, asking about options.

 

[APhelps]

It's my money I'll spend it to suit me!! as you do. I did the seats before wheel, ha.
3 of us mentioned craft customs proof it's a good place to do business is all that amounts to if OP chooses to go that route.
The OP was not asking to be told what to do, asking about options.

Sure by all means waste your money.

Frankly I don't understand why anyone wants to spend 300+ dollars to re-wrap a steering wheel in leather for a car that isn't going to increase its value for a long time if ever.

This isn't like replacing your seats where there's some level of comfort one can improve by doing so. Re-wrapping your steering wheel in leather doesn't benefit the driver in any real aspect and just costs money.

 

[96RedRunner]

[MENTION=146513]APhelps[/MENTION], all about quality of life. Just like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, a waste of money is in the hand of who's holding the wallet.
I budgeted so much for this ride I'm under budget so I get to splurge, thats called disposable income some have it some don't.

 

[APhelps]

Looks like I should get in the business of re-wrapping steering wheels.

 

[T4topher]

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:

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

 

[96RedRunner]

[MENTION=146513]APhelps[/MENTION], 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

 

[APhelps]

[MENTION=146513]APhelps[/MENTION], 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

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.

 

[breeze90]

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.

 

[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.

 

[Tweety]

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?

 

[NissanTechJake]

Looks like I should get in the business of re-wrapping steering wheels.

Or just get over yourself?? Both really good options?

 

[cblock406]

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.

Probably because most want to keep the airbag functional and a Personal wheel looks completely out of place in a T4R, imo anyway.

 

[PHGen3]

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.

 

[mesooohoppy]

Probably because most want to keep the airbag functional and a Personal wheel looks completely out of place in a T4R, imo anyway.

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.