Loaner Steering Wheel (2017)

[CharlieS]

That's unfortunate. The only way this works is if people keep the loaner moving.

 

[Fisher23]

That's unfortunate. The only way this works is if people keep the loaner moving.

LOL .. You took over 6 months.

 

[CharlieS]

Not exactly. It was 3 months: March 30th to June 30th, see screenshots below. But I don't see what that has to do with keeping it moving so others can benefit from it.

When I started this, I said:

Clearly I don't have any control, and it is up to others to keep this going and available as a resource to the community. So far the experiment doesn't seem to be working very well.

 

[Fisher23]

no problem .. I was counting Feb thru July.

Anyways.. I was install my air lockers and then was on the West coast. So I'll swap it out next week when I finally have some free time.

I do have a concern about breaking the clock spring, and 2 chances of breaking it. Swapping it in and then swapping it back out a mistake could be quite costly.

Can't say that I've R&R'd these steering wheels before.

I think you're a much better mechanic with these than I am.

 

[Nooner]

Is it really confirmed that the 2019+ use a different leather that is more durable? If so, that's great news since it means we have a somewhat permanent upgrade path when our 2016-2018 steering wheels get really bad.

My 2019 (03/19 production) 'leather/wood-like' wheel seems to have the same issue. I purchased a cheap steering wheel off Aliexpress for $205 shipped (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...st_main.5.2de41802igYDkM&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa) and am now looking for a shop that can recover my original with quality leather - another option for a factory full leather heated wheel is: 45100-60A91-C0 - anecdotal reports are that it is better than the '2016-2018' wheels, but my 2019 wheel was supposed to be better too, and it isn't. If I could be confident it wouldn't have the same urethane coating that flakes off, I would probably have pulled the trigger on that already.

My rant is a long-winded way of saying that I will probably be able to pass along a second loaner steering wheel sometime in the future, though don't hold me to any kid of timetable, because I bought the wheel so that I don't have to be in a rush and I can find a refinishing solution I like. If I were taking a loaner, I'd expect that I should start the project promptly. To me, that would look like pulling the wheel needing repair and swapping on the loaner within at most one month, and just be pending the return of the repaired original to keep things moving.

 

[chatt100]

Can I get in line for the loaner? My wife’s 2016 steering wheel is horrendous.

 

[Fisher23]

Can I get in line for the loaner? My wife’s 2016 steering wheel is horrendous.

Sure .. you are after banieldowen.

​

 

[chatt100]

We have a loaner steering wheel from a 2017 200 Series that we can use while getting ours redone.

Data point: Craft Customs in TX was recommended to me for steering wheel refinishing. They have a 3+ week turnaround time.

Here's the idea: if someone needs a loaner, they post up here in this thread. They then only need to cover the cost of shipping to have this shipped to them. When they are done with it, they ship it to the next person in line, and so forth. If nobody is in line yet, they hold onto it until it is needed again.

That way, nobody is out more than the cost of shipping for the loaner.

The one thing that would be nice is if we kept it moving with as little lag time as possible - as in, if you get the loaner, get your wheel out to the refinisher asap, and when you get your wheel out, send the loaner to the next person.

Back story: I've wanted to get my steering wheel reupholstered for a long time, but since I drive my 200 regularly, and don't have local places that reupholster steering wheels, I've put the idea on hold. I get the impression that there are several of us in the same boat. I watched eBay and other places for a spare steering wheel at a good price. It eluded me until recently when member @Norcal470 posted up offering his steering wheel for free. All I had to do was pay for the ride. (side note, I am constantly impressed by the generosity of 'mud members). Thanks to this, I'm able to get my steering wheel redone while using this as a temporary stand in.

When I got the steering wheel, knowing it was to be a loaner, I sanded down and feathered the edges of the damaged areas, cleaned it with alcohol and moved my Loncky cover over to it. My sewing job isn't going to win any awards, but it is perfectly serviceable as a stand in for a few weeks.

My steering wheel is on its way to Texas and I expect this loaner will be ready to go out to the next person in line by April 1st.

The first person in line is @Fisher23. I'll coordinate with him to get it shipped as soon as mine gets back.

Please post up here if you are interested.

This is a bit of an experiment too, it relies on everyone doing their part and keeping the goodwill started by @Norcal470 going as long as possible.

How much did Craft Customs charge?

 

[chatt100]

My 2019 (03/19 production) 'leather/wood-like' wheel seems to have the same issue. I purchased a cheap steering wheel off Aliexpress for $205 shipped (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...st_main.5.2de41802igYDkM&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa) and am now looking for a shop that can recover my original with quality leather - another option for a factory full leather heated wheel is: 45100-60A91-C0 - anecdotal reports are that it is better than the '2016-2018' wheels, but my 2019 wheel was supposed to be better too, and it isn't. If I could be confident it wouldn't have the same urethane coating that flakes off, I would probably have pulled the trigger on that already.

My rant is a long-winded way of saying that I will probably be able to pass along a second loaner steering wheel sometime in the future, though don't hold me to any kid of timetable, because I bought the wheel so that I don't have to be in a rush and I can find a refinishing solution I like. If I were taking a loaner, I'd expect that I should start the project promptly. To me, that would look like pulling the wheel needing repair and swapping on the loaner within at most one month, and just be pending the return of the repaired original to keep things moving.

Do you know if the 2019+ (45100-60A91-C0) will fit a 2016?

 

[CharlieS]

How much did Craft Customs charge?

$299 plus shipping for single color, all leather, baseball stitch.

 

[Nooner]

Do you know if the 2019+ (45100-60A91-C0) will fit a 2016?

I purchased a 2016 land cruiser which had some nicks on the steering wheel from the previous user. It wasn't the infamous peeling problem found on the 16-17 wheels, but it appears to be some nicks from a wedding ring on the left hand. I did wrap the original wheel with a loncky steering wheel wrap, but I was not a fan of how thick it made the wheel feel.

Since the steering wheel is the one item you are constantly using while driving, I thought it was worth the $750 to purchase a new wheel. Turns out, it appears in 2020 Mr. T released a full leather wrapped wheel w/ a heating element.

Part: 45100-60A91-C0

The part is a plug and play item with no additional modifications being necessary, and boy, is it a treat with a HUGE upgrade in feel. This is the steering wheel Toyota should have shipped from the factory.

I was hoping the wheel would be heated all the way around, but it's only in the same area as the plastic wood wheel. Though, it appears the heat is MUCH better than the old 7 year old wheel, so I'll take the win on that one. I am unsure if it's due to the wheel being 7 years old or if it's a different heating element.

It does have gray stitching on the wheel (which honestly looks completely fine), but I could not find one that was fully leather wrapped with black/white stitching and had the heated function.

View attachment 3262756

View attachment 3262757

I used this video to help replace the wheel:

The guide is fairly helpful, but I would add some pointers which weren't covered in the video:

1: First step is to undo the battery to minimize the chance of an airbag deployment.
2. Ensure the steering wheel is straight up and down with your tires pointed straight forward.
3. After undoing the steering wheel nut (19 mm), turn the steering wheel to one side (1-2 degrees) to lock it and remove the slack in the wheel, then use a sharpie or paint marker to mark where the steering wheel shaft mates with the old steering wheel. After removing the wheel, do your best to eye ball and transfer the paint mark to the new wheel. Then simply turn the steering wheel to the same lock position and line up the paint lines while installing the new wheel. (this is to ensure the new wheel isn't cockeyed when going straight down the road)
4. I would advise getting a steering wheel puller to avoid damaging the expensive steering link assembly. I used a cheap harbor freight special which did the trick. Steering Wheel Remover Set - https://www.harborfreight.com/steering-wheel-remover-set-63685.html

This job took around 45 minutes and is a fairly easy install. I would not be intimidated about this job at all after doing it.

yup

 

[banieldowen]

Can I get in line for the loaner? My wife’s 2016 steering wheel is horrendous.

I’m supposed to be getting the loaner in a week or two. Hopefully I’ll be able to get mine refurbed quickly!

 

[Fisher23]

The loaner steering wheel in now available (finally) to the next person inline @banieldowen.

I managed to also swap the loaner out for one in better condition. This fits the 2016+ models.

 

[Fisher23]

FYI Shipped out today to banieldowen.

 

[Fisher23]

Anyone have photos of the "after" on this? Just got a new to me 2017 and the steering wheel is trashed.

This was mine "AFTER" when I just got it back. Cost was $150 at our local shop.

I really liked they kept the soft touch leather .. but much better quality than OEM.

The Loaner is currently with banieldowen .. and chatt100 said they wanted it next.

 

[BradInVA]

This was mine "AFTER" when I just got it back. Cost was $150 at our local shop.

I really liked they kept the soft touch leather .. but much better quality than OEM.

The Loaner is currently with banieldowen .. and chatt100 said they wanted it next.

View attachment 3536389

Where'd you get this one done? The same TX source or different? Same prob with my one-owner 2016 wheel.

 

[Fisher23]

Where'd you get this one done? The same TX source or different? Same prob with my one-owner 2016 wheel.

No different outfit. I met them at the Daytona Turkey Run.

I my wheel they said they had to remove ALL the old material. The price seemed to be different for every wheel.

There is a local auto upholstery shop in every state, and you can just send them a picture and get an estimate of both time and $$.
The guys doing the old cars know who is good and who is not so good.

 

[Exiled]

Folks, I have another donor wheel off a 2016 that I'm glad to contribute to the cause! Located in TX, you pay shipping!

 

[banieldowen]

Hey guys - I got a call from Craft Customs that my wheel is ready to pickup. I'll go grab it this week and will hopefully (fingers crossed) be able to swap them out within a week, shipping off the loaner wheel to the next guy.

Also - a note on craft customs. I honestly don't think the price is worth it if you want to keep the heater. You're probably better off just getting a new toyota sahara wheel for like $200 more.

 

[CharlieS]

I used craft customs, kept my steering wheel heat, and considered the price reasonable.