Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel

[JP4RNR]

I was thinking of upgrading my steering wheel to the leather-wrapped that is found on the sport and limited models. I have removed and installed steering wheels on vehicles without airbags but never any steering wheels with airbags and wondered if this is something a profesional installer should do. Any opinions? Has anyone attempted a modification like this before. How much more difficult is this process with an Airbag thrown in the mix?

Before I do anything I'll have to see what the dealer will charge for this item as the shift knob is $116 I imagine the steering wheel will probably run between $500-600

 

[spyne]

Last time I removed an airbag equipped steering wheel was on a vehicle manufactured 16 years ago. All that was required was to disconnect the battery for 15 minutes before you pulled the airbag and then you could pull the steering wheel. I'm guessing things have changed since then

 

[tkr128]

Check out this thread.

I bought a wood/leather steering wheel a while ago but never got around to installing it and now I'm thinking twice about it because I don't like wood.

 

[JP4RNR]

TKR128:
Do you have the step by step of removing the wheel?

 

[tkr128]

TKR128:
Do you have the step by step of removing the wheel?

It's pretty much explained in the 2nd page of the thread I linked to in my post above, just scroll down, slowginjoe included pictures with instructions on how to remove it.

 

[HeavyD]

You mentioned the Sport and Limited models have the leather wrapped steering wheel.

FWIW, my SR5 also has the leather wrapped stearing wheel and shift knob. I'm guessing that it is an option on the SR5.

 

[sharp4runr]

FWIW, my SR5 also has the leather wrapped stearing wheel and shift knob. I'm guessing that it is an option on the SR5.

Yup it is now an option. In 2003, the SR5 had the leather wrapped steering wheel with radio controls standard but that changed in 2004. In 2004 and up the leather wrapped steering wheel became an option.

 

[tkr128]

Yup it is now an option. In 2003, the SR5 had the leather wrapped steering wheel with radio controls standard but that changed in 2004. In 2004 and up the leather wrapped steering wheel became an option.

It's always been an option, even on 2003's, mine doesn't have it. I find it disappointing that it isn't standard on the SR5, it should be. The telescoping wheel was standard on 2003 SR5's and not available on 2004+ SR5's (something I find really useful).

 

[4by4th]

It's always been an option, even on 2003's, mine doesn't have it. I find it disappointing that it isn't standard on the SR5, it should be. The telescoping wheel was standard on 2003 SR5's and not available on 2004+ SR5's (something I find really useful).

My 2004 SR5 came with leather steering well and shift nob, maybe due to the leather seat option.

One of the loaners I had when the Runner was in the shop was a Rav4. It was uncomfortable at first until I found the telescoping steering wheel. Really wish the 4Runner had it. Can't imagine what that mod would cost.

 

[Uneek]

My 2004 SR5 came with leather steering well and shift nob, maybe due to the leather seat option.

One of the loaners I had when the Runner was in the shop was a Rav4. It was uncomfortable at first until I found the telescoping steering wheel. Really wish the 4Runner had it. Can't imagine what that mod would cost.

You could retrofit the telescoping wheel in. Third post in this thread.