Steering wheel replacement options.

Got in my truck the other day and noticed that the top part of my steering wheel on the X-Runner is starting to fail.
Control and seating surfaces are something I am totally OCD about when it comes to my trucks. This needs to be addressed.

Options as I see it are :
1. Slip on steering wheel cover. Upside, cheap. Downside, cheap and kinda ghetto.

2. Replacement OEM wheel. Upside, OEM. Downside, expensive and boring.

3. Aftermarket replacement wheel ring/body (uses OEM airbag and controls). See them for sale on the internet with all manner of changes (1/2 carbon wrap, thumb grips etc. Upside: Cool, not insanely priced, different then stock. Downside: I can smell the China on them through my monitor, possible death if I get in an accident.

4. Bougie aftermarket wheel (Nardi, Momo or similar). Upside, nice, feels all racecar, can pair with a quick release for even moar racecar feel. Downside: No more airbag or steering wheel controls.

5. Later OEM wheel. Upside, cool and different. Downside: God awful expensive, unsure of airbag and control compatibility with earlier model truck.

Discuss...

 

I'm not sure if yours is leather wrapped or not. If so you can always get some new leather or vinyl and replace it yourself. ChrisFix has a video on just this on YouTube. Otherwise, personally, I'd recommend OEM. I'm never really a fan of aftermarket steering wheels nor steering wheel covers. My opinion though.

 

Check out redline goods if you haven’t already, they make a custom wrap that you can personalize that’s not outrageously priced imo.

 

Having had an airbag go off in my face during an accident, I like airbags. But maybe that's just me.

 

Those look very nice.
Not sure if I am down for 8-12 hours of stitching.
Looks at wife: "Honey... What are you doing next weekend?"

 

I have not had the pleasure.
Do own a few vehicles without airbags and them not being there never really bothers me. Hell, I have owned a car that didn't come with seatbelts (or anything else resembling safety). But unless I was going full racecar (cage, harnesses etc), I kinda think it is best to leave them in place.

 

On a long drive I thought my steering wheel was hard and uncomfortable. Looked into those lace-up leather wraps and decided not to go into knitting so opted for a slip on that is very comfortable and a secure fit. Actually looks quite nice imho.
Ridin’ ghetto and lovin’ it:

 

Where did you get it? Thx

 

lol, I know they used to have a option where you would send them the wheel and they would do it for you for a fee obviously. Downside is now you have downtime on your truck. I’m sure a local upholstery shop would do it rather quick though. It’s on my list of things I want to get done for sure.

 

It looks like they still do, would probably go that route over DIYing it (arts and crafts aren’t my strong point).

Would either scrounge up a secondhand wheel to send in or steal the one out of my wife’s truck (that would probably make her even less happy then being asked to sew the cover on).

 

OEM is the way to go if it is a daily driver, if this is a project truck I'd say get a sweet aftermarket wheel. You can never put a price on your life though and an airbag is there to save it. Just had to switch out my airbag clock spring due to my engine horn button going out. Wasn't a difficult project however I did realize there would be multiple wires exposed if you were to replace an aftermarket non OEM wheel.

 

Just saw this, I got it from Amazon:
Elantrip Leather Large Steering Wheel Cover 15 1/2 to 16 inch Soft Grip Breathable for Car Truck SUV Jeep Anti Slip Black and Gray

$10 Elantrip Leather Large Steering Wheel Cover 15 1/2 to 16" Soft Grip Breathable for Car Truck SUV Jeep Anti Slip Black and Gray

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07RTVT5RW?_encoding=UTF8
Fits my 3rd gen steering wheel perfectly.

 

Options much too complex and hard to change.

A simple pair of 10" vise grips or a 24" pipe wrench on the steering shaft will work just fine. Very simple, easy to change.

 

I found this information very helpful. This guy has a good number of videos that I have found insightful and informative.

I’ve all but decided to go with the wheel he installs in the video. I believe it is a Toyota Corolla MI wheel but check the video to confirm.

I have found several of them on eBay of new carbon fiber accented ones like he installs new carbon fiber look for $250 +/- vs. $400ish For actual carbon fiber

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Toyota...e-leather-steering-wheel-SPORTS-/114482921896
https://youtu.be/3vhCGI6moYY

I’m using my phone for this post so forgive the format. I’m an old gay with bad eyes.

Also I did not confirm that the steering wheel link was an actual fit. But it is a visual representation of the steering wheel I’m referring to and the one that I will be installing in my truck.

 

Really cool idea but wow, what a price tag. New steering wheel, donor wheel (for controls and plastics), airbag, wiring harness. Looking at about $8-900 or so.

 

I have put the aftermarket wheel on my ebay watch and was offered it shipped for $218.
I know there are a couple of harnesses needed but have not planned on not reusing AB's, switches, levers, etc. Am I missing something? $8 to 9 ??? I mean unless you are starting from scratch.

 

Plug and play wheel I've been using for over a year. It's not the most fancy but it classes up the place. It also doesn't create a death trap via deleting the airbag. Can't promise it behaves like factory in a collision though because it's not from Toyota, but it does look like a re-wrapped OEM Lexus/Toyota wheel from eBay...





https://www.ebay.com/itm/142521295226

 

Look into a used one?

 

@YotaProject - How is that eBay Steering Wheel holding up? My OEM leather Steering Wheel on my 2010 Tacoma DCSB TRD Sport is peeling and I'm looking into that eBay model to replace my OEM steering wheel. Do you recommend it? Thanks in advance.

 

Just took these pictures today. Here it is a few years later. It’s a little worn where I rest my hands but still looks good.