Wheelskins Steering Wheel Cover Installed

[Rocky5000100]

When I bought my 4runner 4 years ago, my steering wheel had obviously been neglected, and finally got bad enough that I wanted to do something. A replacement steering wheel was too expensive, and I hate most covers that go on top. I just wanted a plain black leather cover. I found wheelskins, and the price was good, so I ordered.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00065WNL8/ref=twister_B004IAAC38?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1


I first ordered the recommended size, but the gap was too large. The instructions recommended 1/4" or less gap, and it was at 1/2" for me. The exchange process was very easy, they sent me a new one a size in diameter up, and I sent back the old one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTYON_kQ13U

I watched the installation video, and proceeded to install. There are a few things I could have done better:
-I started stitching at the bottom, and didn't go to the next hole over, resulting in a poor job pulling the seams together along the bottom
-On the wheel spokes, I didn't get the last stitch far up enough onto the spoke, so on some of the spokes, it's not the best fit.

I may redo it if it bothers me enough.

But I did a good job on the top part of the steering wheel, it looks well done up there.

Before and after photos
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00065WNL8/ref=twister_B004IAAC38?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00065WNL8/ref=twister_B004IAAC38?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1





See here, the bottom side of the spoke I did correctly, but the top side i could have gone one stitch farther.



Next time I do this I'm confident I could have done a much better job. Just thought I'd post this small review for those looking.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Thanks for the information. I ordered samples (FREE) from them last week, I did black, dark brown, oak and sand colors for the 2-tone. Black and oak match my interior perfectly so I'm doing that.

I found this install video a few weeks back, might be helpful if you try it again:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/YTYON_kQ13U?rel=0&controls=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[JayRolla]

Looks good, Ive been planning on getting a later wheel and install this cover if I cant find a clean 4 spoke wheel. The wheelskin looks funky installed on the older 2 spoke wheel because the spokes are so large.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Looks good, Ive been planning on getting a later wheel and install this cover if I cant find a clean 4 spoke wheel. The wheelskin looks funky installed on the older 2 spoke wheel because the spokes are so large.

They are hard to find. There's actually two kinds of wheels, there's the basic wheels and then there's the stitched wheels that I think came with the sport package. I had a clean basic wheel but I didn't like how it looked so I am going with the Wheelskin route.

 

[JBurt]

I've got the funny looking 2 spoke wheel and I love my wheelskins cover. It's held up great for a few years.

 

[5RUNNERZ]

dont mean to be a dick but this is the right way

 

[T4R2014]

Looks good, Ive been planning on getting a later wheel and install this cover if I cant find a clean 4 spoke wheel. The wheelskin looks funky installed on the older 2 spoke wheel because the spokes are so large.

I'm wondering how that would work with the airbag. I think the two spoke wheel is actually thicker than the 4 spokes wheel abd wears a lot better. But yeah, if you're putting a cover on it just looks so bad. I've seen a Supra wheel installed as well.

 

[St Runner]

Don't be afraid to put it on a two spoke. Just have to get it tight. Best thing about the wheelskin is the feel, better than the original

 

[JayRolla]

I'm wondering how that would work with the airbag. I think the two spoke wheel is actually thicker than the 4 spokes wheel abd wears a lot better. But yeah, if you're putting a cover on it just looks so bad. I've seen a Supra wheel installed as well.

AS you can see in the photo beneath your post the larger spoke causes more space for the skin not to wrap. I really don't like that at all. But it's got to be better than my cheap denver bronco cover. Lol.

 

[St Runner]

Its not perfect with the two spoke and it looks better on my 4runner with the black two spoke wheel, plus I was able to work it even tighter the second time I did it. It is a hundred times better than any cheap cover if only for the grip and feel

 

[JBurt]

I don't even really notice the big gap on my 2 spoke wheel. Black cover on a black smell. If I remember I'll post a pic when I get my 4runner back.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Alright folks I hope this works .... I just bought an "excellent condition" 96/97 style Limited/SR5 OEM black (empty) steering wheel on EBAY for $99. It looked great in the pictures and my local mechanic told me he will only charge $45 to do the full swap including airbag. I gather it isn't a super difficult process.

I chose not to reupholster or go with a cover. :llama:

 

[StreetCreeper]

Alright folks I hope this works .... I just bought an "excellent condition" 96/97 style Limited/SR5 OEM black (empty) steering wheel on EBAY for $99. It looked great in the pictures and my local mechanic told me he will only charge $45 to do the full swap including airbag. I gather it isn't a super difficult process.

I chose not to reupholster or go with a cover. :llama:

I'd have sold you mine for same price. About 6 months ago I removed the factory leather and re-skinned it with legit new leather. Took me about 7 hrs to remove both the old leather and then stitch on the new leather. Recently went to a 4-spoke wheel because of a bum shoulder that starts to hurt when you drive the miles I do every year. The 4-spoke wheel allows me to position my arm/hand differently so less pain. I'll probably be putting new leather on my 4-spoke soon.

Sale thread for anyone interested in my 2-spoke wheel.

I have a write-up for the restoration process which includes a how-to on removing the wheel and air bag. Save yourself $45 with your mechanic and swap over your new wheel yourself — it's really simple. How-to on wheel swap

​

 

[octanejunkie]

I did pulled and swapped my wheel too, super easy with a borrowed steering wheel puller from AutoZone. The leather and foam on my original were toast so I replaced my 4-spoke with another leather 4-spoke.
Make sure you have a T30 bit on a hex extension to get the horn pad/airbag off. Also disconnect the battery and wait at least 90 seconds before messing with the horn pad/airbag.

I got this wrap from Amazon I installed it OFF the vehicle, much easier this way, and it came out looking pretty good, I'll snap a pic later.

 

[Scramble]

$45 sounds pretty damn cheap! I'd pay him.

 

[StreetCreeper]

$45 sounds pretty damn cheap! I'd pay him.

Shit–ill swap people's steering wheels over for $20. Take me 15 min and 10 of it would just be me waiting for the capacitors to discharge so I don't accidently blow my head off.

Easy money! Hell I'd probably feel bad taking $45 from someone to do a simple plug n' play swap.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Somebody buy StreetCreeper's wheel. Looks damn nice.

Thanks for all the advice here. I couldn't bring myself to go through with all the stitching myself so I opted for a used wheel. Now I'm just crossing my fingers hoping "excellent condition" lives up to the ebay pictures.

 

[Scramble]

Shit–ill swap people's steering wheels over for $20. Take me 15 min and 10 of it would just be me waiting for the capacitors to discharge so I don't accidently blow my head off.

Easy money! Hell I'd probably feel bad taking $45 from someone to do a simple plug n' play swap.

Hell, if you were closer to me I'd just throw ya a bag of indo. izza:

 

[giguchan]

My Turn...

Did this while back Best move!!

In fact the company included 2 in the box when i only paid for one.. I shipped it back. Dont need any bad Juju or Kharma or whatever..

The stitching was a bit of a PITA.. but i'm happy with the result.

 

[octanejunkie]

Here's how mine came out using this wrap from Amazon

The ordering process involved measuring the diameter and circumference of the wheel to get the right size wrap. It was a hella tight fit at first but once the leather stretched over the wheel it held itself in place and was easy to stitch. The kit even cones with two lengths of "thread" so you can do a baseball type stitch if you are that ambitious. I was not [emoji849][emoji23]

I installed this wrap to a wheel I bought off eBay and then swapped it into my car. I am thinking about doing a foam-repair and complete rewrap on my original wheel and swapping it back or keeping it as a spare.

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