Test drove a GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation (heated steering wheel)

Must be 100 for the land cruiser tax! I'll take the 20 dollar CH4x4 please!

Thanks for the links.

 

It comes with a switch…

 

But is it tundra blue or one of those chintzy ones..

 

Dunno - guess I’ll find out when it arrives
CH4x4 blue isn’t a great match either, but better than green or orange.

 

^^^^
Let us know how it goes. I’ll order mine in the next couple weeks.

Mike

 

switch comes with heated wheel kit, I put it in the center section of dash, had to extend wires, not lit unless heating element is on, color is light blue.

 

Ordered my heated wheel from Amazon. Should arrive sometime next week.

Mike

 

please keep us updated on the experience and quality. I am VERY interested in this wheel, but something about it seems "too good to be true" to me. I guess I am used to the insane inflated prices of everything else.

 

I've turned on the heat almost everyday this week.
Steering wheel feels much better than the old plastic one.
Really happy with this change, something I appreciate every time I grab the wheel, whether I turn it on or not.

 

Me too. I’ll definitely be posting my impressions once I get it.

Mike

 

This is the first mod on this website where my thought process went from, 'I want that' to 'my wife would love that.' lol. I am always warm & have never loved seat warmers or heated steering wheels. My wife is the exact opposite.

 

Ordered one. Going to have someone instal it though, I don't feel comfortable doing anything electric, even if simple. Ordered the all black from the "hi flyer" seller on Amazon since it had reviews.

For the silver plastic around the controls, to turn it black...does someone sell them black, or just SEM trim paint?

 

SEM Trim black or MESO or AJT both offer a replacement

https://mesocustoms.com/collections/toyota-tundra/products/steering-wheel-blackout-surround

https://www.ajtdesign-llc.com/online-store/Steering-Wheel-Trim-c123411472

 

Thanks! I want to make sure that happens when I swap it over. Very excited for this, I'll post my opinion of it after it gets installed, I am guessing it will be a few weeks though.

Tried to go AJT, but they force you to create a paypal account, thats the #1 way to get me to go elsewhere. Meso order complete.

 

That’s the seller on Amazon I used too, for the very same reasons.

I’m very likely going to do the install myself but, I’d be interested in knowing what your shop quotes you for the installation.

Mike

 

Swapping the steering wheel is pretty easy. The clock spring you just need to be sure not to pull the retainer until you’ve got it lined up correctly and in place. I might try to figure out a retainer for my original one before I pull it in case I ever decide to go back…

 

I did the Meso Black and Meso Volume fix when I swapped the steering wheel.

 

Must

 

Having trouble finding a shop who will take the liability on. Have some buddies who can do it most likely, going to reach out after Thanksgiving.

 

My steering wheel arrived today. I may have time this weekend to attempt the install….we’ll see. I’ve only opened the box and looked at the components but the steering wheel appears to be good quality and the leather is nice. It’ll be a nice upgrade compared to the factory plastic SR5 steering wheel I have now. The heated function will be icing on the cake!

Mike

 

I don’t know, maybe I’ll get flack for this, but….
I’m pretty old-school and if you told me 20-30 years ago that we would be wanting heated steering wheels I would have to say what kind of whimpulent wussies have we turned into, just wear a pair of gloves till the cabin warms up…ha ha

 

But then you try it with a confused smile and "over the hill to grandmother's house" you go!!

 

Amen brother.
I felt entirely the same way until I purchased a vehicle with the heated steering wheel option and move to a colder climate. Never considered it, until I had it. Now, it’s my favorite feature, lol.

I look at it this way. When I leave my home in the morning, I’m dressed for the weather. So, I don’t need heated seats (nice to have for the first 5 minutes of driving, but not needed). My hands however are bare. I don’t wear gloves because they impede my ability to draw a pistol (if necessary). The heated steering wheel solves my problem. Even then, I only use the heated steering wheel for the first 10 minutes or so of driving and off it goes. By that time the HVAC system is running smoothly.

That’s my 2 cents.

Mike

 

How many times have you had to draw a pistol while driving?

 

I was the same, but then my wife started getting cars with it, and I thought, well I'd like that...

I'm frequently in and out of my truck working in the snow, often bare handed for better grip/feel. Heated steering wheel will be a wonderful addition. Gloves suck, I only wear them if I absolutely have to (chemical burns).

 

In self defense, never. While training, often.

Plus, shooting from a moving vehicle is incredibly enjoyable and entertaining.

Mike

 

You guys must be pretty young if you can't understand the benefits of what heat can do to an older person's bones and muscles in the cold.

 

I installed the steering wheel today. The installation went smoothly. No issues. Like the OP, I’ll need to extend the switch wires to get the switch located to the center/dash. I’ll get that done tomorrow.

Mike

 

Guys, post some damn photos or tips after you instal!

 

Okay. So remove the two steering wheel trim covers located on the left and right side of the steering wheel exposing the two T30 Torx bolts holding the airbag in place. They don’t fully retract. They remain in the shroud so they can make the airbag a little difficult to pull. But, just be patient and it’ll eventually release. The connectors are pretty easy to pull out.

The steering wheel is secured with a 19mm nut. Just make CERTAIN that you disconnect all the wire connections before pulling the wheel. It’s best practice to loosen the nut but don’t fully remove it before you pull the steering wheel. Loosen the nut, unthread it several turns, then pull the wheel until it hits the nut. Then unscrew the nut and remove the wheel.

With the steering wheel removed, it is time to swap components over to the new wheel. My only complaint is that the new steering wheel tolerances aren’t as exacting as the OEM and the rear steering wheel trim piece doesn’t fit perfectly but, good enough. You’ll notice there is a new/extra wire/connector for the heating element.

Back to the Tundra. Remove the two Phillips screws holding the steering wheel column shroud and pop off the lower shroud (you can leave it hanging). Carefully remove the connectors on the clockspring and remove it from the column by unclipping the retainers. I made sure to keep the clockspring in its upright position during the removal process so I could install the new clockspring in the same manner. With the clockspring in hand, remove the ‘steering wheel sensor’(?) using a flathead screwdriver and insert/connect to the new supplied clockspring. Do not remove the clockspring retainer yet! Install the new clockspring assembly and install all connections. You’ll notice a new connector on the left rear of the clockspring. Install the new heated switch wiring connector and run the wiring down through the lower half of the steering wheel column. Reinstall the column shroud and secure with the Phillips screws.
Now, pull the clockspring retainer.

Install the new steering wheel being mindful of all the connections. Once again the new steering wheel tolerances aren’t as precise as the OEM and I couldn’t center the new steering wheel as perfectly as the original. It’s close but not perfect. Connect all the wires. You’re notice a new connector for the heated wheel. Install the 19mm nut and tighten the steering wheel. Position all the connectors and wiring to make room for the airbag. Connect the airbag wiring and secure the airbag with the T30 screws. Reinstall the steering wheel shroud access covers.

Done.

Now, that’s as far as I got. I’ve never messed with the dash or dash panels yet so that’s what I’m doing next.

Mike