Steering Wheel Upgrade 16+ LC (12 Viewers)

[82SC]

for the guys that used the Toyota OE replacement does the heating steering wheel work in the all leather version?

 

[Zill]

for the guys that used the Toyota OE replacement does the heating steering wheel work in the all leather version?

Yes, but it doesn’t heat the top part of the wheel, just like how the wood version is missing this area of heating as well.

 

[MRego]

Thanks so much for the helpful information. I just bought my 2018 LC 200 -- it'll eventually replace my 2016 4Runner -- and the steering wheel is one of the first items I'd like to swap. (I don't mind the look too much, but I find the hard faux wood is a harsher and less pleasant experience on the hands when off-roading than the softer wheel on my 4Runner).

Can someone help me clarify the difference between the 45100-60A91-C0 and 45100-60A90-C0? In particular:
1. I gather that the new version is the A90 (the A91 does seem to be available a few places) but from what I can tell on the various parts websites it's only listed to fit '20 and '21 models. Does anyone know if it will it fit a 2018?
2. Are both the A90 and A91 black with grey stitching?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Bumping this up. I am considering a replacement for my 2020HE. It is not flaking but has a couple nicks by PO's wife jewelry. Since mine is a HE, I have the bronze stitching and could not find a reliable source to confirm that the A91 is the replacement for the HE with bronze (as opposed to gray) since it is listed to fit only a 2020 or 2021 model - the HEs years.

 

[Zill]

If you are replacing the wheel, I would recommend scrapping the HE bronze stitched wheel for the fully leather wrapped wheel with the grey stitching.

Bronze stitching is not worth having to deal with the slippery fake wood.

 

[MRego]

If you are replacing the wheel, I would recommend scrapping the HE bronze stitched wheel for the fully leather wrapped wheel with the grey stitching.

Bronze stitching is not worth having to deal with the slippery fake wood.

Well, different strokes for different folks, right? I happen to like the wood (and I am not even that old ), and on top of that I am also OCDed, so would like to keep the bronze stitching that goes with the HE seats and trim.

 

[JohnPW]

No help on the HE stitching. But a follow up on the new wheel. I’ve had the all leather version on my 2016 LC for around 5000 miles now and it is a major improvement. I never minded the fake wood, but I hated all the tears on the thin, soft leather on the original steering wheel. The leather on this one is so much more durable.

 

[unclemat]

Nice find. It is weird this is available. That wheel never came on any 200-series stock in the US, right?

 

[Zill]

Nice find. It is weird this is available. That wheel never came on any 200-series stock in the US, right?

That’s correct. It’s only on the international version and never offered on any LC 200 trims sold in the States.

The shipping took a couple of weeks from Toyota since it had to be ordered in from overseas.

 

[MRego]

No help on the HE stitching. But a follow up on the new wheel. I’ve had the all leather version on my 2016 LC for around 5000 miles now and it is a major improvement. I never minded the fake wood, but I hated all the tears on the thin, soft leather on the original steering wheel. The leather on this one is so much more durable.

Could you post a pic to see how it is holding? I just remembered my previous 2018 LC had the terra seats - which had the bronze stitching of the HE, but the wheel was regular gray stitching, and I was ok with that. I might be salvable

 

[JohnPW]

Could you post a pic to see how it is holding? I just remembered my previous 2018 LC had the terra seats - which had the bronze stitching of the HE, but the wheel was regular gray stitching, and I was ok with that. I might be salvable

Stitching is gray but it isn’t noticeable, the effect in person looks black. The leather is less soft but much sturdier feeling than the original

 

[MRego]

Stitching is gray but it isn’t noticeable, the effect in person looks black. The leather is less soft but much sturdier feeling than the original

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Thanks. Definitely not noticeable. And you have the terra seats too.

 

[Artie]

The steering wheel topic has been on my mind in an elliptical orbit... every time a post hits the front page my curiosity gets piqued again. My '21 HE has developed the smallest of small cracks on the leather, right against the wood trim... I've posted about this on the other steering wheel thread.

Anyway, I have almost convinced myself to buy a new wheel during one of the 25% dealership sales and then find someone to mod my old wheel. I have looked a little for a steering wheel mod place but have only found one or two and neither really look like it would be durable upgrade. Is there somewhere that will customize our OEM wheels into something more comfortable and durable?

 

[JohnPW]

The steering wheel topic has been on my mind in an elliptical orbit... every time a post hits the front page my curiosity gets piqued again. My '21 HE has developed the smallest of small cracks on the leather, right against the wood trim... I've posted about this on the other steering wheel thread.

Anyway, I have almost convinced myself to buy a new wheel during one of the 25% dealership sales and then find someone to mod my old wheel. I have looked a little for a steering wheel mod place but have only found one or two and neither really look like it would be durable upgrade. Is there somewhere that will customize our OEM wheels into something more comfortable and durable?

I called numerous leather repair and upholstery shops in my area and couldn’t find anyone willing to bother with the job of replacing the torn leather in my steering wheel. Shops would replace a car’s leather seats but wouldn’t touch my steering wheel. So in my area, replacing the steering wheel was the only attractive option. I ordered the part through my dealer and they did a fine job with replacement. I kept the old steering wheel in a box in my garage. It’s an expensive fix but worth it to me. I assume your OEM wheel leather will get much worse over time, like mine did.

 

[unclemat]

I called numerous leather repair and upholstery shops in my area and couldn’t find anyone willing to bother with the job of replacing the torn leather in my steering wheel. Shops would replace a car’s leather seats but wouldn’t touch my steering wheel. So in my area, replacing the steering wheel was the only attractive option. I ordered the part through my dealer and they did a fine job with replacement. I kept the old steering wheel in a box in my garage. It’s an expensive fix but worth it to me. I assume your OEM wheel leather will get much worse over time, like mine did.

I have not used personally but I read Craft Customs - Steering Wheel Restoration - https://craftcustoms.com/ has a great reputation.

 

[MRego]

I assume your OEM wheel leather will get much worse over time, like mine did.

Not necessarily. Rumor has it that by 2018/2019 Toyota switched suppliers because of the many issues with the leather steering in the 2016s and 2017s. If he has a 2020HE like me, we might be saved from the severe peeling. That said, however, even the supposedly upgraded leather from 2018 onwards, is pretty susceptible to nicks here and there. I am considering the replacement because I am OCDed but for most people the way my steering wheel looks is just fine. I will still invest some time to try and find the actual HE replacement and will update here if I am successful.

 

[Artie]

I assume your OEM wheel leather will get much worse over time, like mine did.

this is my thought as well. At 30k miles now I’m sure it will be worse after another 30k.

I have not used personally but I read Craft Customs - Steering Wheel Restoration - https://craftcustoms.com/ has a great reputation.

I have not come across this one in my searches, thanks for sharing.

Not necessarily. Rumor has it that by 2018/2019 Toyota switched suppliers because of the many issues with the leather steering in the 2016s and 2017s. If he has a 2020HE like me, we might be saved from the severe peeling. That said, however, even the supposedly upgraded leather from 2018 onwards, is pretty susceptible to nicks here and there. I am considering the replacement because I am OCDed but for most people the way my steering wheel looks is just fine. I will still invest some time to try and find the actual HE replacement and will update here if I am successful.

Mine is a 2021. It’s a tiny crack right now, no peeling. I’m very diligent about keeping sunscreen, or anything alcohol wipe like off the wheel.

 

[Artie]

If someone was going to send their old steering wheel off to get customized could you also send this in as well to be covered in leather? I know there is an airbag behind it so I’m not sure how it’s deployment plays into this piece.

 

[Zill]

If someone was going to send their old steering wheel off to get customized could you also send this in as well to be covered in leather? I know there is an airbag behind it so I’m not sure how it’s deployment plays into this piece.

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I’m not sure I would hamper the air bag deployment for a cosmetic leather upgrade. The leather would likely rip open with the airbag deployment, but I would not want to be the guinea pig to test that.

 

[Artie]

I’m not sure I would hamper the air bag deployment for a cosmetic leather upgrade. The leather would likely rip open with the airbag deployment, but I would not want to be the guinea pig to test that.

Agreed. It sounds like the cover opens up instead of staying intact… yeah, no need to get all fancy in there with the fine corinthian leather.

 

[bloc]

but I would not want to be the guinea pig to test that.

This.