Re-covering steering wheel leather rim

[IdahoDoug]

Anyone find a quality kit to recover the steering wheel rim with thin quality leather? Ours has a few spots where the grey color has worn off, so I thought I might find one I could install. I'm sure it's tedious work sewing it on, but would be worth it.

DougM

 

[T Y L E R]

I second that ....


Mine is so darn smooth now , that I really think it's dangerous !! I can hardly turn sometimes if I have anything remotely greasy on my mitts .



TY

 

[Gundy]

Wheel skins

I've used their one piece wheel covers for years.
I have them on my MBs and our 60.
They are a pain to hand stitch on but are first
rate quality and feel great. They aren't "fat" with padding.
I've not done our 80 because the factory cover is still in great shape
but when it gets ratty that will be what I use.

 

[concretejungle]

wheel skins!

 

[tucker74]

These guys do OEM quality work - but you're gonna pay for it ...

Tucker

 

[reffug]

I'm a third vote for wheelskins. Got mine about a month ago, just havn't convinced the wife to stich it on yet. Sewing ain't my thing.

 

[concretejungle]

I'm a third vote for wheelskins. Got mine about a month ago, just havn't convinced the wife to stich it on yet. Sewing ain't my thing.

Oh, come on! I have a hard time lacing my shoes, but i stiched it on. Very easy, just takes a little time. Get out there and get er' done!

 

[sjcruiser]

Wheelskins!!! Could be found at:

http://www.man-a-fre.com/parts_accessories/steeringwhlcover.htm

Available with Black/Brown/Gray; also with dual tone if desired.

 

[OZCAL]

Wheelskins. Use a thimble to push the needle.

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

Tech- I am buying one this weekend, My 94 doesn't have leather on the wheel.

Chat:

Tyler, I thought this thread was about wheel covers, you bringing up the shaving thing again?

Concrete- Is that a Steal Your Face sticker?

 

[stuck in GA]

Yeah it looks like it covers up his no difflocks.

 

[tiorio]

These guys do OEM quality work - but you're gonna pay for it ...

Tucker

Ok, I'll bite. How much?

Also, how hard a PITA is it to R&R the wheel what with the airbag and all...

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

Yeah it looks like it covers up his no difflocks.

Wow FSIMIG! You are right! I had no idea what diff locks where, or even if I had them or not. I'd bet others here didn't either. I went out, took a look, and DAMN! There is that switch! Thank you for that wonderful bit of tech! I don't know how or why anyone would think you are not contributing!

Thanks! - the

 

[tucker74]

Ok, I'll bite. How much?

Also, how hard a PITA is it to R&R the wheel what with the airbag and all...

I think it was like $250 back when I looked into it The bad part is you've got to send them your wheel for a week or so - isn't to hard to remove even w/ the bag. They look better than new though (died leather as opposed to Toyota's "painted" stuff).

Tucker

 

[concretejungle]

Yea, cruisin', good eye!

Thanks for pointing out my flaws there stuck in GA. She'll have ARBs this summer.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Installed a grey WheelSkin on the 97 today. Took about 1.5 hours and was frustrating at times. I got the size AXX Grey and is the precise color of the interior - not just close. I noted that some vendors were selling a different size as correct for all 80s, but I selected mine by measuring the wheel and using the WS website.

It took some strength and patience to get it on the wheel initially, which is the tight fit I was looking for. Stretch, hold for a few minutes. Stretch and hold again and finally it can be worked over the rim all the way around. If you get one, be aggressive in pulling on the thread to pull the lips together. It's plenty strong and I started loose and then restarted aggressively.

The instructions warn you not to miss a hole on the back when you go around a spoke. I did, and simply doubled up on another hole later to get back in synch. No way I was pulling it apart at that point - heh. My wife loved it and it looks like a new wheel. Made the rim slightly thicker which I liked.

Since I have a 93 also, I noted before doing this that the 93 steering wheel rim is notably thinner from the factory. This was the reason I carefully measured mine rather than use the recommended size from various internet vendors.

DougM

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Has anyone cut the OEM leather off and then put on the Wheelskin?

 

[IdahoDoug]

It's not designed for that. Look in the picture above and you'll see that the WS does not perfectly mimic the lines around the spokes. They're designed to go over the existing rim.

DougM

 

[Darwood]

There is always my solution, however it's expensive as all get out:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=9711&highlight=wheel

and you get alot of crap for it...

though I gotta say, I don't regret changing out my steering wheel for the non-leather one.

 

[NorCalDoug]

I see that you like the wheelskins Doug. I'd ask for a picture, but is it safe for me to assume that the end result is pretty much like the pic that concretejungle posted?

Derek -- I'll be taking a close look at your non-OEM steering wheel this weekend I don't think I'd necessarily go that route, but I will need to do something with mine fairly soon...it's getting pretty worn in places.