Beat Steering Wheel Solution (1 Viewer)

[Rad26rio]

I had the typical tired looking steering wheel, leather in fine shape, just flaking or rubbed off color on gripping surface (not spokes). I pondered for a couple of years the choices to resolve...even used the inexpensive snap on cover for a while. This leather cover fit great (note size in photo) and aside from the time to stitch it on, was a $25 solution...and I got the thicker wheel I wanted in the process. I used the more elaborate stitching pattern which mimics the stock stitching underneath. A roll of painters tape and some patience delivered fine results for me. See photos.

 

[Mike6158]

I like it!

 

[Kmonty66]

Awesome! Also loving the cinnamon stick air freshener! Does it work?

 

[Rad26rio]

Funny, reviewing the new post, wondering if anyone would notice. Not sure, kind of a “why not” gesture. If I scrape it with my fingernail and snort it, works great!

 

[Kmonty66]

Ahhh, the old scratch and sniff!!

 

[PabloCruise]

What is the button on dash - under rear vent window controls that says "SET"? Looks like it sets tire width by the diagram?

 

[Rad26rio]

Resets the desired tire pressure that then becomes the low threshold for the tire pressure nannny light.

 

[JDWCruiserMS]

Did your truck have a wood grain wheel?

 

[Kabanstva]

Wow, that's a great solution and much cheaper than having the steering wheel fully re-wrapped in leather.

 

[PabloCruise]

I had the typical tired looking steering wheel, leather in fine shape, just flaking or rubbed off color on gripping surface (not spokes). I pondered for a couple of years the choices to resolve...even used the inexpensive snap on cover for a while. This leather cover fit great (note size in photo) and aside from the time to stitch it on, was a $25 solution...and I got the thicker wheel I wanted in the process. I used the more elaborate stitching pattern which mimics the stock stitching underneath. A roll of painters tape and some patience delivered fine results for me. See photos.

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Still holding up okay?

 

[Rad26rio]

Oh yeah, holding up great. The baseball stitching really cinched it down well and allowed a better looking detail around the spoke sections.

 

[gkaan]

looks good. I just ordered tan for my wheel.

 

[jay3253]

I've used Wheelskins for years. Great product can be pricey but worth every penny.

Wheelskins Eurotone Genuine Leather Steering Wheel Cover - Charcoal Size C https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00065WOC6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_S6fyBbA403A34

They come in many shapes, sizes and colors.

 

[Planotx100]

I just tackled redoing the steering wheel with one of the fitted kits off eBay. Cost about $55 and took a week or two to get here but worth it. The listing was vague, but said Land cruiser Prado, but looked the same. The leather was precut and the kit came with the thread, needle and trim tool. You don’t remove the old, just cover it and it’s a tight snug fit. Here is the before, during, and after on my 2000.

 

[camino70]

Wow!

I just tackled redoing the steering wheel with one of the fitted kits off eBay. Cost about $55 and took a week or two to get here but worth it. The listing was vague, but said Land cruiser Prado, but looked the same. The leather was precut and the kit came with the thread, needle and trim tool. You don’t remove the old, just cover it and it’s a tight snug fit. Here is the before, during, and after on my 2000.

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[JB2004LC]

I just tackled redoing the steering wheel with one of the fitted kits off eBay. Cost about $55 and took a week or two to get here but worth it. The listing was vague, but said Land cruiser Prado, but looked the same. The leather was precut and the kit came with the thread, needle and trim tool. You don’t remove the old, just cover it and it’s a tight snug fit. Here is the before, during, and after on my 2000.

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Is this the same cover?
Dark Brown Leather Wheel Cover for Old Toyota Land Cruiser Prado / Lexus #LX14 | eBay
It doesn’t list our cruisers as a fit??
Yours looks great!

 

[Planotx100]

Thanks. I though it came out well.

Yes, that’s it. It didn’t list it and I took a chance since it looked like the picture and I searched the web and read somewhere that they were the same. I emailed the sellers and told them that it would fit a US spec 100.

Here’s a picture of the exact one I ordered in In Brown, but realizing I probably needed dark brown, I messaged them the change. It’s not an exact match with the old, but works for me

Also a pic of the kit. The other side of the instructions was a better step by step picture guide. I watched a couple of videos on YouTube that used their kits. Company called Mewant.

 

[kulinap]

I just tackled redoing the steering wheel with one of the fitted kits off eBay. Cost about $55 and took a week or two to get here but worth it. The listing was vague, but said Land cruiser Prado, but looked the same. The leather was precut and the kit came with the thread, needle and trim tool. You don’t remove the old, just cover it and it’s a tight snug fit. Here is the before, during, and after on my 2000.

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What did the instillation time look like on that job? Looks real sharp, just ordered mine...

 

[jsigone]

I also went with that Ebay/Amazon guy for these. Pretty decent for $59 Prime. Stitching it up wasn't too bad, I'd recommend not using the double side tape they provide. It showed outlines of the tape on the smooth leather so I ended up removing the cover, and what tape I could and re-install. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019H9DJFM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I went black, I didn't want a 4th or 5th different tone of brown in the mix.

 

[Planotx100]

What did the instillation time look like on that job? Looks real sharp, just ordered mine...

Thanks, it was fun and very rewarding.

I guess it depends on how perfect you want it. It took me a couple of hours. The fit is good and once you get it all lined up, it’s just basic stitching. You don’t really pierce the leather other than the start, but rather stitching together the two sides by connecting the factory stitching together with a back and forth stitch. You can see from the one in progress picture I took above how it works. The only tough part is where you get around the parts where the wheel connects to the hub in the middle. On LCs there are 4, so that’s 8 tricky parts.

I chose to do it with the wheel still on the vehicle which I think is the way to go as it’s a way to firmly massage the leather into place and keep the stitch tight as you go along. The downside is you have to bend your head around sometimes and be at an awkward angle. Getting the knot small, melted and tight isn’t the easiest, but still I’d say it’s an easy project.

I’d highly recommend searching the internet to see how others did it. In particular a guy with a BMW in England made a video and it had some helpful tips.

I forgot to mention they give you some double sided tape to help keep it stuck down and manageable while you sew. There won’t be extra leather bunched up anywhere, it’s cut pretty true to size. Also, the ends where it tucks behind the airbag are even shaved thinner so they fold and tuck easy. I though that was a nice feature.

Here is the pic of one of the tricky areas on the backside of the wheel.