Re-covering steering wheel leather rim

[reffug]

Norcal, the avatar is priceless dude. Question this AAX size is that what the site recommends? I didn't measure the wheel on my 93 just had the wife order it for me off their site using the knowledge that it was a 93 FZJ. :whoops: I hope this doesn't mean I am going to want to return it for a different size.

 

[IdahoDoug]

I wanted to be sure this thing fit kinda tight like my retentive ass. I don't like any kind of steering wheel cover, frankly so I was hesitant. When I first started putting it on I was dismayed that I'd ordered it too small despite my careful measurements. But gentle stretching and holding over about 5 minutes got it on and I was fired up that it was going to be factory tight. This was also nice during the install as it held itself on tightly and never moved during all the tugging of the thread, etc.

I took a picture of it to post, then realized I had not saved the location of some pic hosting service I used to post the "twins" pic of the new 80. So if whomever recommended that site can tell me again I'll post my grey wheel. Looks like the above except the colors are dead on.

DougM

 

[Exiled]

Buddy of mine took his '96 FZJ80's steering wheel to an upholstery shop in San Antonio and they swapped out the leather, came out exactly like the original one, cost $85.

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Buddy of mine took his '96 FZJ80's steering wheel to an upholstery shop in San Antonio and they swapped out the leather, came out exactly like the original one, cost $85.

I had a Saab 900T wheel recovered by a local upholstery shop a number of years ago for ~ $100 if I remember correctly, couldnt tell it from factory and this wasnt something they specialized in. I would guess you could get someone in your area to do it, then you dont have the added thickness of the Wheelskin cover, unless thats appealing to you.

 

[pigbuggy]

any one know how much it would be to reeplace the whoel steerign wheel, or jsut the outside part....i know it woudl be more than jsut buyign some skin to put over top of it. waht about a wood grain steerign wheel or a kit so that oyu cand do that..those look nice.

 

[Bruneti]

Could someone please post or pm me the contact info for these upholstery shops that are local to you that will recover a wheel to original oem quality for around $100 or less? I'm interested in recovering mine, but can't find anywhere local, or otherwise that does it for less than about $200. I would easily pay $85 to $100 to do it right, but over $200 is getting too pricey. I'm willing to remove and ship my wheel to them for a week to get it done...

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Could someone please post or pm me the contact info for these upholstery shops that are local to you that will recover a wheel to original oem quality for around $100 or less? I'm interested in recovering mine, but can't find anywhere local, or otherwise that does it for less than about $200. I would easily pay $85 to $100 to do it right, but over $200 is getting too pricey. I'm willing to remove and ship my wheel to them for a week to get it done...

I'll try and see if I remember the name of the place (dont live in Montana right now) and get back to you, it was a number of years ago now. I was going to look into it locally (Maine) so if I find some place good, I'll let you know that as well.

 

[ain't your mamas cruizer]

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?

You bet. Just put mine on last month.
Doug, I ordered mine from the site with it's recommended size and it worked out nicely....not too snug....not too loose. You may want to use a thimble when stitching...it will hurt your fingeres after a while of pulling. Keep kids and animals out of the vehicle....the extra long thread is a pain in the ass to keep from knotting up. Good luck and have fun. It's nice to have something thick to hold on too!

 

[Gundy]

Two tone looks sweet! I was worried about stitch seperation
on the skins in the long haul. I always went with a one piece skin.
Smooth as butter.
The leather just feels THE BOMB in your hands. Quality hides.
I personally think the leather feels nicer to the touch than our
80's o.e.m.

 

[NorCalDoug]

You bet. Just put mine on last month.
Doug, I ordered mine from the site with it's recommended size and it worked out nicely....not too snug....not too loose. You may want to use a thimble when stitching...it will hurt your fingeres after a while of pulling. Keep kids and animals out of the vehicle....the extra long thread is a pain in the ass to keep from knotting up. Good luck and have fun. It's nice to have something thick to hold on too!

Thanks for the pics and follow up AYMC

I think I'll be ordering one for my rig. My overly sweaty hands worked over what's left of my OEM leather on my wheel at CM05. It's in pretty bad shape now.

 

[hoser]

For a little more $, you can get some replacement leather.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=41724&highlight=leather