Just leather wrapped my steering wheel!!

Nice work! I did the same in my 2nd gen last month. But I pulled the wheel off and did the work inside on the couch.

 

I want to do this as well. I don't like the woodgrain steering wheel.
Did you use this one?

$64 Loncky Genuine Leather Auto Custom Steering Wheel Covers for Toyota Land Cruiser 2008-2015 / Toyota Tundra 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013/ Toyota Sequoia 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Accessories

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RXIQTBQ?th=1
Did you follow a DIY somewhere on pulling the airbag and steering wheel?

 

Yep that's the cover I bought for 2nd get. I also could not stand the wood wheel. I ended up grabbing a free to me brown wheel then wrapped that. I do think the wood wheel is slightly smaller in diameter than the leather or rubber wheels. Not sure how well it will fit over the wood wheel.

I take no responsibility for an damage to self or truck based on what I did below.
Steering removal for 2nd gen:

1. Rent steering wheel puller from local auto parts store, then drive home!
2. Take Negative lead off battery. wait 10 -15 minutes
3. Remove the covers on either side of the steering wheel (back side of wheel to access the Air bag screws).
4. Remove two Torx screws (if memory serves T35?).
5. Pull air bag off the wheel, disconnect electronics/horn ground carfully
6. Loosen steering wheel bolt a couple turns (do not remove). Re center wheel after loose.
7. Use puller to "pop" wheel off. Remove bolt. mark wheel position before pulling wheel off. I taped the steering angle sensor / spiral cable so it did not move.
8. Take wheel inside and remove plastics / buttons / cruise control stalk if applicable. a couple phillips screws.

Replacement. Line up the wheel as before, make sure the clockspring has not moved. Torque for steering wheel set nut: 37 ft.*lbf

Takes about as long to remove as it did for me to type this.

 

Yeah........don't think I'll pull the wheel off. Airbag , maybe.
You're right about the wood part being slightly smaller, I didn't think of that. I thought of trying to vinyl the woodgrain parts, but wasn't sure how it would look, plus always feeling the seam when holding the top of the wheel. I think wrapped would still look better than the wood though.

 

Thanks for the steering wheel removal steps!!!

B

 

As long as you have the negative terminal off the battery and let the residual charge in the system dissipate (the 10-15 minutes) there is no issue pulling the air bag. Done it on several cars.

For the wood couple probably solve that by wrapping an extra layer of double stick tape around the those portions of the wheel, but that needs to be perfectly smooth or it will project through the new cover. or look for a cheap local partout and grab a rubber or leather wheel for $50 or less I bet.

 

I don’t know about all that... I didn’t pull shit and I’m happy with how it came out.

I would for sure break something and a $50 steering wheel cover would end up costing me $300.

 

Well remember that different folks have different comfort levels when it comes to mechanical aptitude VS their OCD!

B

 

I've had mine for 10 yrs now from autoanything and still holding up good

 

Your wheel looks great OP! You're going to love it.

I did mine November last year using the one you posted from Amazon. I love it! Feels much better than the stock rubber wheel. Mines been on for all most a year now and still looks new. I slather on some Griot's Leather Conditioner every time I clean my truck, which probably helps.

Not sure if Amazon has them in stock now but mine did take almost 5 weeks to arrive on the slow boat from China but well worth the wait. When you figure every time you get in your truck you have your hands on it I think it's a nice upgrade and worth the effort to install.

One trick I learned was to use a spring clamp to hold the stitching you just tightened up as you go along. Made things a lot easier.

I went with the red stitching since my TRD shift knob has red stitching and my truck is red.



PS. You can save all the hassle and just buy one already done from SDHQ. It's only $650

 

That red stitching works with your TRD knob. Another great looking job!

 

Thank you.

I just noticed the stock knob was still on in that photo.

Here's the TRD knob.

 

Yep Amazon has them Prime right now so 2 day shipping!

 

As with others, I too was not satisfied with the plastic steering wheel. Maybe because there is so much plastic already in my truck, it is a base model with the XP package. Anyway, did the leather wrap this weekend. Also took the wheel off thinking it would be much easier to line up the cover, tuck in the edges, and maneuver the needle. It was still tedious, though. Pretty pleased with the result. It does make a big difference to the interior aesthetic.

 

I'm just OCD enough that I wouldn't be able to handle this and I'd have to buy a new kit and start over.

 

They are fairly easy on the pocket book so OCD away!..;-)>
B

 

Really nice job!

 

I bought the same thing but I find it too cheap of a leather as it tore and scratched way too easily. I returned mine since I didn't want to waste my time putting it in for it to wear/rip so quickly.

Looks good though.

 

Wait, you watched TV, cooked dinner and taped your steering wheel! wow talk about having skills! lol

 

How did you get your trim pieces around the steering wheel controls black? Also the trim rings around your vents? I used vinyl on my vent rings curious what you did. Looks good.

 

The control panels and trim rings are factory. As mentioned, it is a base model so I assume they all come that way. The other explanation may be it does have the XP package which a "blacked out" package. I understood that to be an exterior black out but it may include some interior accessories. I actually wanted to replace the black panels with silver that it would match the radio. No luck except for new which is price prohibitive.

 

If we lived closer, i would work with you in my garage to swap them parts out. my silver for your black ha

 

Another one down for the books. My suggestion for anyone planning on tackling this project to only use tape around the flat areas at the 3 and 9 o'clock position for a clean tight wrap. Also, outline all edges that will be tucked under with tape. Think of it like vinyl wrapping. Obviously, this would not be possible if you're planning on installing it with the controls and air bag in place where you'll be ticking the edges under with the plastic tool. I stiched it using every thread instead of every other one.

 

Damn nice job..............now come help do mine.

 

outstanding...

 

Don't be afraid to remove the steering wheel. It's easier than changing a flat tire. Once you disconnect the negative terminal and wait the ten minutes, nothing bad can happen electrically. Just get

• Small flat head to pry the two side covers out.
• T35 torx bit to remove air bags. Torx screws are held in place by these plastic holder so the screw doesn't fall. Once you listen them all the way, it takes some jiggling of air bag to get the screw to back off just enough to let the air bag loose from the screws. Probably the most painful part really.
• Use small flat head screw driver to release the air bag connectors by putting up the yellow clip and pull the connector straight up. Disconnect the ground crimped terminal and the air bag is free.
• Remove electrical connectors from center clock.
• 19mm socket with 6" extension for center nut. Using a battery powered torque driver took less than 2 seconds.
• Remove nut and mark points on center shaft with steering wheel hub with sharpie.
• Steering wheel puller, 1/2" and 9/16 sockets to use with puller. Much easier than pulling ball joints and tie rod ends.
  
• Remove steering wheel and use a philips, cross head screw driver to remove the controls.

That's all there is to it to remove the steering wheel. Hands are still clean

Tips:

• Anticipate 48 hours of down time with your truck. Worst thing is to rush it because you have to get your truck back on the road. Pull it Friday after work and have it back on by Sunday evening.
• Best to have a helping hand to hold the steering wheel while you stich. I spent thetmajority of the time on the couch with a pillow behind me and one on my lap. Had my lady hold it with one hand while she watches TV. Definitely a neck breaker but take breaks after finishing up a section or two.
• Hands must be clean at all time. Let the warmth and natural oil from your hands work into the leather to help soften up the leather and stretch.
• Do not peel the tape ahead of time. Peel as you go. They give you enough to tape the whole cover once over.
• Pull thread taught but not tight. Only time you can pull it hard is at the beginning of a stich when you sew through the leather. It's best to do spot stich because it will not close completely at the corners until that section is sewn. Sew about an inch of section at a time loose just to get the stich going then go back with the needle and tighten it up one stich at a time while squeezing and massaging the leather together so the seams closes leaving no gaps. Then repeat and repeat into the night until your neck start to hurt. Lol. This is how you get a nice consistent pattern. Once the corners close up, remove the spot stich, tie a double knot, cut and burn the ends. They give you a lot of thread so don't be afraid to use lots of spot stiching. I only used about 30% of the supplied thread (2 rolls) and I stich every thread.

Feel free to hit me up anytime I'll give you my number in case you get stuck. I'm very pleased with the outcome and you'll appreciate it every time you drive it. I can't stop massaging my steering wheel now

 

excellent write up....get to it guys!

 

After 36 hours in the warm Florida car

 

well done!

 

This video shows the air bag screw plastic holder and what you need to do to get the air bag out without all the fiddling. Just use a needle nose plyer. Now why I didn't think of that?!?!