Who's Interested - REPLACEMENT LEATHER for the Steering Wheel - NOT A COVER
- Thread starter bamachem
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- Thread starter
- #42
Probably so.
I definitely have the leather. Now I'm having to wait two weeks for this shop to do 1hr of work for me because they're so slammed. Even @ two weeks, they're fitting me in because the owner is a friend of the family. They're "booked" out to the last week of September for anyone who walks in off the street.
These kits will be simple to make, but I'm not a seamstress either. Once this one is done, I'm going to check around w/ some people I know to see if anyone that I trust is interested in doing the sewing on a HD machine if I source the leather a hyde at a time. If I do that, we're still looking @ $100 a pop at a minimum (this one is going to cost me right at $150).
I definitely have the leather. Now I'm having to wait two weeks for this shop to do 1hr of work for me because they're so slammed. Even @ two weeks, they're fitting me in because the owner is a friend of the family. They're "booked" out to the last week of September for anyone who walks in off the street.
These kits will be simple to make, but I'm not a seamstress either. Once this one is done, I'm going to check around w/ some people I know to see if anyone that I trust is interested in doing the sewing on a HD machine if I source the leather a hyde at a time. If I do that, we're still looking @ $100 a pop at a minimum (this one is going to cost me right at $150).
I would be interested in a kit.
- Thread starter
- #45
For me, it looks like I'm going to buy a Toyota Wheel off of eBay and send my OEM wheel to Dallas Steering Wheel.
I got the "kit" back from my upolstery guy. Even though I warned him to use the HEAVY thread, they used the stitching thread they use on their leather seats. Needless to say, it didn't hold up to the triple-stitch pulling and tugging. I pulled all their thread, hand-stitched in some No.2 Crochet Thread I found (same as what AGLA uses), and after 3+ hours, finally got to install it on the steering wheel for the second time. I did the three "small" areas first, and they turned out great. I got to the long run on top of the wheel and found an issue. The guy who cut the leather pattern apparently didn't get it right. There is a spot on the top at the 2-o'clock position where he shorted me by about 1/4" of material... The leather just simply will not stretch to go around the foam. I have an appointment with him this afternoon to see how he wants to handle it. My suggestion will be for him to refund me at least half of what I paid and I'll walk away and consider it a "lesson learned".
Once I get a "loaner" wheel in, I'm sending my OEM wheel off to Dallas Steering Wheel for recovering with the 1/16" pad and leather. Once I'm done, I can pass the "loaner" off to the next person at a good price. I'll post up results ASAP.
I got the "kit" back from my upolstery guy. Even though I warned him to use the HEAVY thread, they used the stitching thread they use on their leather seats. Needless to say, it didn't hold up to the triple-stitch pulling and tugging. I pulled all their thread, hand-stitched in some No.2 Crochet Thread I found (same as what AGLA uses), and after 3+ hours, finally got to install it on the steering wheel for the second time. I did the three "small" areas first, and they turned out great. I got to the long run on top of the wheel and found an issue. The guy who cut the leather pattern apparently didn't get it right. There is a spot on the top at the 2-o'clock position where he shorted me by about 1/4" of material... The leather just simply will not stretch to go around the foam. I have an appointment with him this afternoon to see how he wants to handle it. My suggestion will be for him to refund me at least half of what I paid and I'll walk away and consider it a "lesson learned".
Once I get a "loaner" wheel in, I'm sending my OEM wheel off to Dallas Steering Wheel for recovering with the 1/16" pad and leather. Once I'm done, I can pass the "loaner" off to the next person at a good price. I'll post up results ASAP.
- Thread starter
- #46
FYI: The 2003-07 Land Cruiser and LX470 appear to share the same exact steering wheel as a 2003-06 Tundra and 2004-06 Sienna. Both of these have re-covered wheels on eBay as well as factory leather covered wheels that appear to be in good condition. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a direct match-up for the 1998-02 LC/LX Steering Wheel in either a Toyota or Lexus lineup...
Will this wheel fit my 2004 LC? 2004-2006 LEATHER TOYOTA SIENNA VAN STEERING WHEEL NEW: eBay Motors (item 220630870301 end time Sep-29-10 12:27:40 PDT)
- Thread starter
- #51
Well, I found out that a 94 ES 300, and 94 LS400, and all mid-90's Camry steering wheels won't work. Spindle hub would fit, but the clock spring interface w/ the steering wheel is different than the 1998-2002 UZJ-100's.
I'm looking at pictures on the internet now and it appears that the 04-09 Sienna, 02-06 Camry, 03-07 Sequoia/Tundra, and 01-07 Highlander has the same clock spring interface as the 98-02 UZJ's. Also, the Lexus LS 430 2001-06 will work.
If you put one of these Steering Wheels on your UZJ, it would PROBABLY bolt up and clip into your wiring harness. However, you will need the AIRBAG that matches the shape/contour of the steering wheel. The original one won't mate up properly.
Here's what the BACK of the steering wheel spindle hub has to look like:
The outer diameter of the spindle hub on the earlier models is a lot larger and will not fit into our clock spring body.
I'm looking at pictures on the internet now and it appears that the 04-09 Sienna, 02-06 Camry, 03-07 Sequoia/Tundra, and 01-07 Highlander has the same clock spring interface as the 98-02 UZJ's. Also, the Lexus LS 430 2001-06 will work.
If you put one of these Steering Wheels on your UZJ, it would PROBABLY bolt up and clip into your wiring harness. However, you will need the AIRBAG that matches the shape/contour of the steering wheel. The original one won't mate up properly.
Here's what the BACK of the steering wheel spindle hub has to look like:
The outer diameter of the spindle hub on the earlier models is a lot larger and will not fit into our clock spring body.
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- Thread starter
- #52
I'm getting an OEM LX470 woodie. 
Not cheap, but a HELL of a lot cheaper than the price at the $tealer.
I'll try it out next week and see if I want to keep the wood steering wheel or just have mine recovered and pass the LX wheel along to someone else.
Not cheap, but a HELL of a lot cheaper than the price at the $tealer.I'll try it out next week and see if I want to keep the wood steering wheel or just have mine recovered and pass the LX wheel along to someone else.
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In the process of changing the wheel, would it be possible to upgrade to steering wheel audio controls like this one? I would imagine there is also a pickup ring/connector on the column side that you would need, but how big of a deal would that be?
I guess the next question would be what would you control with it, and I think a device like this would integrate those controls into whatever aftermarket audio solution you want.
How big of a conversion project would this be?
I guess the next question would be what would you control with it, and I think a device like this would integrate those controls into whatever aftermarket audio solution you want.
How big of a conversion project would this be?
- Thread starter
- #54
You could probably do it relatively easily by changing the clock spring when you change the wheel. You would then have to run the wiring down the steering column to the head unit controller, then to the head unit. Wouldn't be all that difficult, as long as the new clock spring would mount on the original steering column.
Got to thinking... how would the airbag and cover work into a swaperoo?
- Thread starter
- #56
It probably wouldn't. You would need the wheel + a new airbag. Both from a Sienna or Camry might run $300-$300, but the same exact wheel/bag from a Tundra might be $500 and from a UZJ $800+. These are all the same exact steering wheel with the same clock-spring interface and airbag module.
The only thing I don't know is if the newer bags are multi-stage and if they would match up with our airbag module. The way to check would be to look at the airbag controller from an 03+ and a pre-02 have the same Toyota part number.
The only thing I don't know is if the newer bags are multi-stage and if they would match up with our airbag module. The way to check would be to look at the airbag controller from an 03+ and a pre-02 have the same Toyota part number.
- Thread starter
- #57
So, I came across another shop worth mentioning. They are Craft Customs and are in TX. They do custom steering wheels as well as replacement of the OEM leather.
Guess what pic I found on their website:
At least now we know where the "available" 80-series steering wheels and shift knobs come from....
At any rate, you can order a 2003-2007 Land Cruiser Steering Wheel with Wood Inserts COMPLETE for $349 from this guy. No Core Charge is listed. Considering what some charge for a simple "re-cover", this price isn't bad at all. I'm going to speak with them in more detail about what they could charge to do a re-cover like DSW offers @ $269.
By the way, DSW's price is now $269 for the basic re-cover. Add $30 each for special stitching, preforations, two-tone, etc. Shipping to them is on you. Shipping back from them is $17.
Guess what pic I found on their website:
At least now we know where the "available" 80-series steering wheels and shift knobs come from....
At any rate, you can order a 2003-2007 Land Cruiser Steering Wheel with Wood Inserts COMPLETE for $349 from this guy. No Core Charge is listed. Considering what some charge for a simple "re-cover", this price isn't bad at all. I'm going to speak with them in more detail about what they could charge to do a re-cover like DSW offers @ $269.
By the way, DSW's price is now $269 for the basic re-cover. Add $30 each for special stitching, preforations, two-tone, etc. Shipping to them is on you. Shipping back from them is $17.
- Thread starter
- #58
Got the LX470 wheel in. Looks great and the feel is excellent. Only problem is that the wood is a LOT lighter than what's left of the fake wood in the truck. If I keep it, then the other stuff will definitely have to come out. I'm planning on sending my OEM wheel off to DSW for recovering, then pick the one I like best.
BamaHeel
Intergalactic Champion
Pulled up next to a 2004-2005 Lexus LS today at a stop light - looks like this wheel is the same as the Land Cruiser? Anyone have any info?
- Thread starter
- #60
Here's one from a 2005:
Although it's similar, it's not the same at the spokes. You couldn't put this wheel in an UZJ and then re-use your airbag.
