Wheelskins Steering Wheel Cover

[FlammableFishie]

I've had my 2000 LC since the day it was born and it has been faithful through its' 13 years. However, as of recently the steering wheel leather started to thin and within the past 6 months my hands bore a hole into the leather rendering it a dead soldier. Still very usable but fairly annoying to deal with. Within the past few weeks I decided to start looking into replacements and decided the cheapest, yet most effective option would be to get a Wheelskins cover. It's all leather and the color matches my interior fairly nicely so I decided to pull the trigger. I'm not going to beat it around the bush, putting the cover on was initially an incredibly tight squeeze and it was very helpful to have a second set of hands to assist. After you get the skin on however it's a smooth ride of about 50 minutes of stitching. Also, don't be afraid to pull fairly hard to get the stitches nice and tight, they're not lying when they say the holes are reinforced! Anyways, I think it looks great and I am very happy with the result.

Sorry for the sideways photos, I haven't yet figured out how to correct that because they are upright before I upload but they turn sideways when I post.

Also, feel free to leave any questions or comments on what I did or if you plan on doing this I'm glad to assist!

 

[FlammableFishie]

Finished Photo

After 1 grueling hour, the completed wheel cover.

EDIT: My sister just took the car for a drive and says that the stitching of the cover reminds her of medical "stitches". SO, if you're afraid of the doctor you may want to stitch up the wheel in a different manner than what they suggest.

 

[Bloomer]

Had a wheel skin cover on my 80. Great alternative to replacing or recovering your steering wheel.

 

[michaelshin]

Very nicely done. What brand and where did you acquire it?

 

[B-RAD]

Nice work. I put one on my '00 LC a couple years ago. It holds up well. One comment to others looking to do this, while your stitching looks great and is done well, you could have pulled it even tighter to cinch the cover more closely together.

 

[FlammableFishie]

Very nicely done. What brand and where did you acquire it?

Wheelskins brand, I believe I got it directly off of their website.

 

[FlammableFishie]

Nice work. I put one on my '00 LC a couple years ago. It holds up well. One comment to others looking to do this, while your stitching looks great and is done well, you could have pulled it even tighter to cinch the cover more closely together.

This one is also on a '00 LC, the reason my stitching isn't perfect is because I was pulling fairly hard on the string and I was afraid that if I pulled any harder it would either break the string or rip the leather. Irrational fears I guess

 

[krupnation]

I had one on my old 4runner, loved the look and feel of the Wheelskin. I used the baseball stitch method, took longer to install but turned out awesome.

 

[00N8]

I had one on my old 4runner, loved the look and feel of the Wheelskin. I used the baseball stitch method, took longer to install but turned out awesome.

Pics or it doesn't exist!

Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD

 

[FlammableFishie]

I had one on my old 4runner, loved the look and feel of the Wheelskin. I used the baseball stitch method, took longer to install but turned out awesome.

I probably would have done this stitch but once I started it seemed like there was not enough string.

 

[NKP Garage]

Looks great.

 

[acha3]

Here is mine, looks and feel great, Brown color

 

[lazarus18]

Here is mine, looks and feel great, Brown color
View attachment 1009017

This is the “brown” color? I just ordered the “oak” color thinking it was closer but the “brown” looks close as well.... I’ll post pics.

 

[Bretthn]

Yours looks great! I just ordered a Xuji leather cover kit for my LX from Amazon. Should be here in a few weeks. Great reviews from the BMW and VW guys so I hope it works out. I requested perforated leather for the sides but we shall see. Also the seller has a great video on YouTube on how to install. Looks simple enough, just time consuming but I think I will let the wife tackle it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QLYA3XS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Rad26rio]

Check out my post from December titled “Beat Steering Wheel Solution”. The trick is to order the right width leather cover to snug up around the circumference of the wheel. I put my new one right over top of the existing leather. Baseball stitching a much bigger PITA, but results warrant the effort. Photos show product and correct width to order. Painter’s tape a big help.

Beat Steering Wheel Solution

 

[r2m]

Here is mine, looks and feel great, Brown color
View attachment 1009017

Where did you get your's at that has the perf's on the left and right mid section? That looks more original equipment to me than just plain leather all around. Also please note what your color is.
I have the same color interior and need the same fix for my wheel, but I'd like it to look as original as possible.

 

[gatormark91]

Don't order oak, it's to light. Order brown. And it's the perfect cheap fix for a messed up wheel, guy at the tire shopshop l it so much he ordered one.

 

[gatormark91]

Ugh, phone typo, can't edit. Guy at the tire shop loved it and ordered one.

 

[B-RAD]

I put a Wheel-skin on at about 150,000 miles, several years ago. It's worked great, held up well, and has saved the wear and tear on the original steering wheel leather.

 

[Drogon]

Here is mine, looks and feel great, Brown color
View attachment 1009017

Who makes your cover? Looks great!