Who's Interested - REPLACEMENT LEATHER for the Steering Wheel - NOT A COVER

[Mxndrnks]

Have you read this whole thread?

I have. Unfortunately, it sounds as if you are bitter in every one of your post in this thread. I have no doubt you have a great product to offer. In fact I have you book marked for when I get to the point I can justify your price. I have other mods that take priority until then.

I commend bama on his efforts to try and find another more cost effective solution. I do not feel he is trying to take away your business, but trying to document his trials and errors for others. If anything it pushes me more towards the product you are offering to avoid the headache.

In the end all of us want another solution beside wheel skins that does not cost us $400. If all of this does not bring us to that.... well we know you have a product.

 

[AATLAS1X]

In the end all of us want another solution beside wheel skins that does not cost us $400. If all of this does not bring us to that.... well we know you have a product.

Not bitter, just making a few points, but a few of his about my wheels kinda raised a brow. But this is the net, and everyone knows it all.

My point to the RTV that I hammered on is a safety point.

It's like someone posting that you put brass lug nuts in your jacked up 4x4 with aluminum studs to get better fuel mileage. Then someone does it as a member tells him to, then one wheel snapped them off while going to the road and killed someone because of it.

I believe I am doing the right thing by stating it is wrong.....But I know for a fact you won't roll with one that's done like that. That's my point.

You drive a 100 series, not a 60.

 

[burp43]

I agree that using RTV silicone to "repair" a steering wheel with a separated core, is just plain unsafe and should not even be suggested. If your wheel is this bad, spend $400 or however much, and get a new one.

 

[bamachem]

Are you guys done pissing and moaning yet?

Shane, at this point you have already given your OPINION - and that's ALL it is - AN OPINION. Your further reiteration and continuing badgering is only serving to make you - and therefore the option you offer - look less and less attractive to potential buyers. Your obvious bitterness and distaste for anyone who might offer an alternative to you is not becoming of good business practice. Your callous agressiveness directed at squashing any viable alternatives to what you thought was going to be a proprietary supplier is distasteful at best.

There is not much, if any, chemical bonding between RTV and Steel or between Foam and Steel. Therefore, the ONLY bond that occurs with these surfaces is one of a purely mechanical nature. By default, this bond is only as tough as the torsional and tensional strengths of the materials. Pinch a piece of the foam steering wheel with your finger nails and see if you can make it come off in your hand. It's easily done. Now do the same for a dried piece of Silicone-based RTV sealant. It's MUCH tougher, and MUCH more resillient to tearing. This ability to withstand more abuse is what allows it to actually form a stronger bond between the foam and steel than without the intermediate.

What do I know? I know that the foam on my wheel turned VERY easily and lost it's "grip" from the steel without much force at all. I know that the RTV bond it now has is MUCH stronger than the OEM foam was alone, and it was in very good condition. This is MY first-hand OBSERVATION. Again, nothing but an OPINION, and based on just as much fact as your OPINION...

 

[bamachem]

So much focus has been put on the foam "rolling" after the fact that I feel I should address this again. With the basting stitch, you can simply use an exacto knife and carefully cut the center "binding" thread and remove the leather for the repair. To re-attach, you then simply get some thread from Don or some crochet thread in the color of your choice and loop it through every-other stitch and pull tight. Of course you put a little adhesieve under the leather if you remove it from the foam, but complete removal is not even necessary to re-attach the foam.

In this case, I have no worries. If you have baseball-type stitching, then it MUST be done by someone with the correct tools or you will never get it back tight enough.

Anyway, here's the finished wheel. Should be here tomorrow...

OEM Leather, 4-seams in the OEM locations
Mahogany Basting Stitch
1/16" thick extra padding secured to both the leather and the foam prior to stitching.

 

[tom2k]

Now...that's custom. It looks amazing. I'm seeing somebody jealous

 

[bamachem]

Well, no package today. The 12" of snow Dallas got last night stopped the Post Office in their tracks. Imagine that.... 6-more-inches has fallen today, and it's STILL falling from what Don just told me.

The got snow Monday night too, so the "overnight" shipping there turned into two days. Return shipping was also "overnight" but will take 3-4 from the way it looks.

Live and learn, right???

Here's what I have learned so far:

• There are no good "kits" out there in my opinion to refurbish an OEM wheel. Only options are....
• Wheelskinz @ $40 and "OK" fit/finish
• Take your chances with the guy in South FL @ $150 and HOPE you get what you pay for...
• Get your OEM wheel professionally recovered (or buy one that has been professionally recovered) for $275-$400 <-- BEST OPTION.

• If you can tolerate down-time, then you have options. If you cannot, then you have 2...
• OPTION 1: The Pre-Re-Covered OEM Wheels that Shane (AATLAS1X) offers for $400 is a good buy IF YOU WANT 100% OEM MATCH because you have zero down time, what appears to be VERY good quality, and he is a supporting vendor here. However, the downside is lack of customization...
• OPTION 2: Pay a Quality Shop who specializes in this work to recover your wheel to your specifications.
• Don @ Dallas Custom Steering Wheel is a STAND UP guy who has excellent customer service.
• Don gives you the most options for "customization" available and provides excellent work at very good prices.
• If you send your wheel to Don, YOU NEED TO SOURCE YOUR OWN "LOANER" before sending your wheel to him.

 

[bamachem]

Wheel made it today... Simply PHENOMENAL on the looks and feel. Quality is excellent, and I couldn't be happier with the end results, although I would have gone about getting it differently. I would have 100% sourced a used wheel to use as a "loaner" so I would not have had to worry about the down time and/or wrong wheels to begin with.

With that said, the next person in line needs to JUMP on the HDJ wheel for $25 + shipping. It could be passed around to the group and would be invaluable. I would do it, but shipping from Montreal to Alabama is $50, and I already have what I need...

Here's a crappy BlackBerry pic of it installed... And comparing that to a $50 WheelSkinz cover...

 

[uzj100]

Looks insane. WIll the hdj wheel work for a loaner?

 

[bamachem]

It should.

It has the same casting number as my OEM UZJ wheel. It has the same clock-spring interface as well. It has the same part number cast into the spoke, except it is one-digit difference. However, since my wheel was brown and that one is gray, the one-digit difference makes perfect sense.

If I had to bet on it, I would say YES, the HDJ wheel would work on a 1998-2002 UZJ.

 

[bamachem]

Pics from today...

 

[FirstToy]

That's who I used before.... I haven't worried about his following over the last 5 years because I haven't had a need to. Hmmm, smack talk on forums, huh?

Might have to look at plan B if it has anything to do with quality.

Last time around, they had a Hurricane in the middle of completing our order, so it delayed things by almost 2 weeks. Only had one "warranty" issue out of about 20 that we ordered, and it was handled effectively. He's not fast, but from what I've seen, he's good, which is what counts most.

Are you using Alan Gunn ?? If so, tell that d-bag he owes me money!
Steering wheel leather was crap quality, didn't fit and he had a whole bunch of excuses.
I heard the "hurricane" one, snowstorm is a good one for a business in florida.
Total BS con that stole my money.

 

[bamachem]

Are you using Alan Gunn ?? If so, tell that d-bag he owes me money!
Steering wheel leather was crap quality, didn't fit and he had a whole bunch of excuses.
I heard the "hurricane" one, snowstorm is a good one for a business in florida.
Total BS con that stole my money.

You should have read the whole thread before posting...

That's who I used years ago on a group buy. Had two hurricanes come in within a month and delayed the orders. LOL

This time around, I steered clear of him based on his forum feedback over the last couple years. I ended up trying a local upolstery guy who didn't work out, then I ended up getting my original wheels covered by Don at Dallas Custom Steering Wheel.

 

[FirstToy]

I wonder if Dallas Custom was American Stitches? I almost used them but at the time couldn't source a spare steering wheel. They were very nice though I was tired of chasing this- and then later heard they went out of business.

So I'm looking at your first post and #107, I don't see a definitive price for a steering wheel.
Is it $125 or $275-$400 (what does that mean?) Does Don have a website you can post?

Nice to see a good option, it was really frustrating when I attempted it way back a few years ago.
If I ever meet Alan Gunn, I'm going to stab him in the head. Yes I am.

 

[bamachem]

LOL @ the Alan Gunn comment. After what I've read, I can sympathize.

On Don, the price is $269 + $17 shipping + any extras like extra padding or special stitching.

There are several places like this in Texas, but I think Don's been around for a while doing this if you google his company name.

About 2 pages back or so, there is a HDJ steering wheel posted by a MUD member in Montreal. It's for sale for $25 + shipping, and it will fit a 1998-2002 to use as a spare while your original can be sent off.

Don's website is Dallas Custom Steering Wheel

 

[tom2k]

These pics are much better. It shows a true custom and quality of stitching. I like it. So, let me get it straight that a fully custom wheel made from Dallas Custom still way cheaper than the $400 wheel from the other guy?

Pics from today...

 

[tom2k]

You are not alone. I'm one of Alan Gunn's victims myself. I don't know why he's still on this business because he had NO ideas how to cover a steering wheel.

Are you using Alan Gunn ?? If so, tell that d-bag he owes me money!
Steering wheel leather was **** quality, didn't fit and he had a whole bunch of excuses.
I heard the "hurricane" one, snowstorm is a good one for a business in florida.
Total BS con that stole my money.

 

[eleblanc]

I sold the wheel guys.....

I guess gray would be better then a flat bar or a visegrip!

I've sent the detail to Bamachem

EDIT: BTW this is a HDJ wheel 2000, part number is 45103-60120. Should work for you guys.

EDIT: Bamachem is passing on the wheel, if anyone wants it...25$ plus shipping. pm me your address.

 

[kdeaton]

My 2 cents

I'm sorry to hear that Alan Gunn robbed some fellow Cruiserheads. I fell in his spider-web a couple of years ago, with a Benz Wheel. One of the worst experiences I can imagine anyone could have. Both in dealing with that piece of work, as well as the awful product he finally sent me. Never mind the chunk of change he stole from me.

Anyway, Don Le is quite the opposite. Dallas Steering Wheels has given me 3 excellent wheels. First one listed on eBay, and 2 I sent him to have redone. His turnaround time is super-quick, and he is very pro-active in his customer support. Hope the statement that he's out of business isn't accurate.

Just do a Google search on Alan Gunn or AGLA. Plenty of unhappy people. I seriously suspect many of the rave reviews are his, posing as other people. At best, he is bi-polar both with his work as with his customer service.

Cheers,

K

pic 1 - AGLA's butcher job
pic 2 - DSW's proper job on the same wheel
pic 3 - A Toyota wheel he made to put on my FJ-60 (My machinist is going to custom intall it - I hope) // Baseball Stitching is my choice, he has several options to choose from.

 

[lexi4darin]

Don and I have been emailing all this week about wheels. He's definitely not out of business.