Steering wheel and other hard to find parts

[Simmer]

Hello! I am desperately seeking out a new or very good condition steering wheel for my 99 limited. Oak color. OEM part number 45100-0W060-E0; if anyone has one laying around they want to sell me please reach out!

Do you guys have a go-to for hard to find / discontinued parts? I've been able to purchase a lot of parts directly from Toyota, but there's also a lot they don't have anymore. Little odds and ends like the seat bolt trim covers, and the center dash bezel thingy.

If anyone knows of a good go-to place for parts (besides scouring junkyards which is not an option where I live) please let me know!

 

[CWccw]

Ebay and junkyards are your best bet. I needed a new steering wheel for my 98, pulled one with no rips or tears from a pick n pull, 15 bux.

 

[repo]

Yep ebay or the pull it yard, and it helps to research what other vehicles the parts were used on to broaden the search area. I know someone on here just swapped a Sienna steering wheel that had extra controls on it as a perfect fit. I think it's in the "what did you do to your 4runner today" thread.

 

[Simmer]

Ebay and junkyards are your best bet. I needed a new steering wheel for my 98, pulled one with no rips or tears from a pick n pull, 15 bux.

I wish that were easier here. In CA 4runners, especially 3rd gens, get stripped to nothing in a matter of hours from getting dropped in the yard which is rare they even come in.

 

[phattyduck]

There are always a couple guys on here in the for sale section parting out 4Runners. Those would be a good options for you if you don't have access to yards yourself.

As for steering wheels - you can get a new leather cover for yours and sew it yourself (plenty of hours...) or also look for one from a Camry, Camry Solara or Sienna from similar years that should bolt in and cost way less (for the 4-spoke version).

I'm about halfway through refurbishing a Sienna steering wheel that I got for $60 - less than half of the price of any 4Runner steering wheel for sale. If it wasn't for the wrong color, it would have been good enough to just clean up and install. (I would have just done my stock wheel, but I am upgrading to leather and needed a leather wheel to start the project)

-Charlie

 

[Simmer]

There are always a couple guys on here in the for sale section parting out 4Runners. Those would be a good options for you if you don't have access to yards yourself.

As for steering wheels - you can get a new leather cover for yours and sew it yourself (plenty of hours...) or also look for one from a Camry, Camry Solara or Sienna from similar years that should bolt in and cost way less (for the 4-spoke version).

I'm about halfway through refurbishing a Sienna steering wheel that I got for $60 - less than half of the price of any 4Runner steering wheel for sale. If it wasn't for the wrong color, it would have been good enough to just clean up and install. (I would have just done my stock wheel, but I am upgrading to leather and needed a leather wheel to start the project)

-Charlie

Hey thanks for the info! I am newish to this forum so I didn't see the for sale section, I'll check it out and maybe post there to see if someone has one laying around.

As far as refurbing, how is yours going? You mentioned it was the wrong color, did you dye it or get a leather cover? I'd do that as a last resort if I just can't find a decent factory one. I just know it will never be as perfect as factory, sadly. I really wish Toyota still made more of these old parts, but I get why they don't.

I'll check out the camry, solara, and sienna models - is the steering wheel the same or just similar?

 

[T4topher]

Pretty sure Sean from timmy the toolman might have a steering wheel or two for sale. You would have to message him, I’ve seen him post them up on IG a couple times. I think they are the fancy Lexus ones with the wood grain trim though.

 

[Simmer]

Pretty sure Sean from timmy the toolman might have a steering wheel or two for sale. You would have to message him, I’ve seen him post them up on IG a couple times. I think they are the fancy Lexus ones with the wood grain trim though.

Thanks I'll reach out!

 

[phattyduck]

Hey thanks for the info! I am newish to this forum so I didn't see the for sale section, I'll check it out and maybe post there to see if someone has one laying around.

As far as refurbing, how is yours going? You mentioned it was the wrong color, did you dye it or get a leather cover? I'd do that as a last resort if I just can't find a decent factory one. I just know it will never be as perfect as factory, sadly. I really wish Toyota still made more of these old parts, but I get why they don't.

I'll check out the camry, solara, and sienna models - is the steering wheel the same or just similar?

Here's the kit for new leather: Toyota 4Runner LEATHER WHEEL KIT 1994 -97,98-03.02-09 - OE Covers spokes | eBay

It is good quality leather and fits - but it is a big challenge to do the sewing correctly and takes lots of time. Also takes multiple weeks to recieve. Mine is all sewed up and looks pretty good but not perfect.

Right now, I'm custom modifying the stock Sienna steering wheel controls to work with aftermarket stereos - not something you should plan on unless you know how to modify PCBs, etc. It requires a new clock spring too.

The correct Camry/Sienna steering wheels are a direct bolt-on, but often the wrong color (tan, blue-gray, etc.). There are also a number of other stock Toyota/Lexus wheel options that bolt on with varying levels of modifications.

-Charlie

 

[Simmer]

Here's the kit for new leather: Toyota 4Runner LEATHER WHEEL KIT 1994 -97,98-03.02-09 - OE Covers spokes | eBay

It is good quality leather and fits - but it is a big challenge to do the sewing correctly and takes lots of time. Also takes multiple weeks to recieve. Mine is all sewed up and looks pretty good but not perfect.

Right now, I'm custom modifying the stock Sienna steering wheel controls to work with aftermarket stereos - not something you should plan on unless you know how to modify PCBs, etc. It requires a new clock spring too.

The correct Camry/Sienna steering wheels are a direct bolt-on, but often the wrong color (tan, blue-gray, etc.). There are also a number of other stock Toyota/Lexus wheel options that bolt on with varying levels of modifications.

-Charlie

Thank you very much, this will be my backup plan if I can't find a good factory one. I would probably opt for an upholstery shop to sew it for me, I couldn't do it myself.

 

[Formidable]

PM sent! Will have my steering wheel off my 02 sport with 130k miles and ready to go in one week. Let me know if interested.

 

[FD7683]

I would personally have it restitched by a good company rather than replacing it because most 20+ year old steering wheels are hard to come by in good condition.

 

[Js'00imited4runner]

Hey thanks for the info! I am newish to this forum so I didn't see the for sale section, I'll check it out and maybe post there to see if someone has one laying around.

As far as refurbing, how is yours going? You mentioned it was the wrong color, did you dye it or get a leather cover? I'd do that as a last resort if I just can't find a decent factory one. I just know it will never be as perfect as factory, sadly. I really wish Toyota still made more of these old parts, but I get why they don't.

I'll check out the camry, solara, and sienna models - is the steering wheel the same or just similar?

Only issue with this is the airbag. I pulled one out of a camry and everything hooked up but the airbag was slightly different sized.
So make sure you take everything and swap it all out. Good luck with the search!

 

[toyotaspeed90]

I don't like sharing my secrets but there's so many T4Rs...

Car-part.com is an online national junkyard search database. Lots of options to search through and most provide photos.

 

[Simmer]

I would personally have it restitched by a good company rather than replacing it because most 20+ year old steering wheels are hard to come by in good condition.

Agreed, I think this will be my best bet. Any recommendations? I saw a decent one in Dallas. I think it's Dallas Custom Wheel or something like that. Might see what they say. If I ship it then I need a donor/temporary since it's my daily.

 

[Simmer]

I don't like sharing my secrets but there's so many T4Rs...

Car-part.com is an online national junkyard search database. Lots of options to search through and most provide photos.

Thank you! I will check this out. I know it's like cool places in nature, you don't wanna tell too many people and ruin it

 

[RedSled]

Agreed, I think this will be my best bet. Any recommendations? I saw a decent one in Dallas. I think it's Dallas Custom Wheel or something like that. Might see what they say. If I ship it then I need a donor/temporary since it's my daily.

I have this one for $75.00 + shipping, I believe it is out of a 04, pretty sure it fits, but maybe someone else can chime in.

 

[Simmer]

I have this one for $75.00 + shipping, I believe it is out of a 04, pretty sure it fits, but maybe someone else can chime in.

Hey thanks for replying! Sorry I didn't originally specify I was looking for Oak leather only, my mistake. I updated the original bit to reflect this. But good luck, that's one clean wheel!

 

[djsting]

PM sent! Will have my steering wheel off my 02 sport with 130k miles and ready to go in one week. Let me know if interested.

[MENTION=112299]Formidable[/MENTION] do you still have this steering wheel available?

 

[bdjcl]

I found out that Camry steering wheels from similar years are direct bolt-ons. I found a 1997 matching Camry steering wheel for my 98 4Runner at a junkyard. Direct swap, airbag and all.