Leather Wrap Steering Wheel Solution

If you have the rubber/plastic wheel and would like the leather (pleather) steering wheel there are kits you can buy that you can stitch on yourself. If you take your time the results can be very good. The kits are available on Amazon and eBay for about $60 but I bought mine off AliExpress for $15 and it arrived in about two weeks. The steering wheel does have to be removed and the trim removed to get the best fit. After it's completed it looks like the factory leather steering wheel. Install time for me was about three hours.

 

Looks great!

 

Very nice. Is there a particular brand you recommend to go with or they are all the same?

 

They appear to be all the same. This is the one I ordered. Don't let the low price fool you. It's the same one on Ebay and Amazon for around $60.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005...item.2.2971f19cSKvsy4&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt

 

Wow that looks great!

 

Thanks Ruggybuggy

 

Nice I just ordered one to see if I could get a good enough fit for my 2007 with the rubber wheel. Thanks!

 

Watch a few YouTube videos on how to do it. Don't be afraid to use lots of double sided tape especially on the back side of the wheel to prevent wrinkles. The kit contains enough thread to do it twice if you mess up.

 

Thanks for the advice. I enjoy getting youtube certified before a project! This one definitely seems like it's going to be a major time investment for a small thing, but probably pretty rewarding for $9.

 

Very rewarding and amazing value at $9 ($15CDN).

Here is the area that needs a good amount of double sided tape to stop wrinkles. Also use double sided tape on the inside of the wheel where the two halves meet where you are stitching it together. This helps hold the halves together as your working. It also acts as a guide to make sure your seam is running straight. I purchased another roll of double sided tape from the hardware store that was a little wider than in the kit. It's the same tape used in window plastic film kits used in the winter.

 

Ruggybuggy, thank you for some great advice as I am a little fearful on tackling this soon. Your steering wheel wrap turned out perfect despite some of the reviews saying certain areas did not cover well because the material is a little short...which gives me hope if I take my time. You mentioned double-sided tape used in window plastic film..could you tell us more about this tape?

 

It's just thin double sided tape and can be found at most hardware stores. I did see the reviews that said they were short on material but I suspect that they were not being careful on the placement.

 

Thanks again Ruggybuggy for the info. I seen installation videos of the double-sided tape placed on the steering wheel and some people placed the tape on the leather wrap. Which way did you used?

 

I found it easier on the steering wheel. Also when you tape it on the inside of fhe wheel you can use it as a guide to make sure your stitch is running straight and it helps hold the material down while you stitch it together.

 

Man this looks good. I might have to try this. Wondering if it could be done with out taking the wheels off.

 

You can but for the best results you should remove and dismantle the steering wheel. It's pretty easy to remove. You just have to make sure the clock spring doesn't turn. Remove the wheel and use a some packing tape to hold the clock spring in position.

 

Did you need a steering wheel remover?

 

No sir. Disconnect the negative battery terminal and wait a couple of minutes. Remove the air bag and disconnect the two connectors and horn connector. Position the sterring wheel straight ahead. Use a 19mm socket and loosen the nut for for steering wheel but leave it on a couple of turns. Place you hands at 2 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions and pull to remove.

You should be able to find a YouTube video.

 

That looks great. I have the factory leather wheel the top of which was chewed up nicely by my German Shepherd puppy. Do you think it's possible to replace just the top piece and tuck it in around the existing side pieces? My sewing experience is at the level of fixing shirt buttons but since I was about to shell out for a new wheel I'm willing to give this a shot. Thanks for this info!

 

It's one piece so you would have to use the whole cover. There are people in the reviews that have used it over the existing leather cover but you're suppose to leave the old cover on for it to fit properly. You would have to find a way to fill in the chew marks so they don't show through the new cover. If you didn't feel comfortable sewing it on, you could hire an upholstery place to install it.

 

I used a really small razor, made a tiny cut and pumped a few drops of super glue into/under the areas that you said to add xtra tape and it worked well- it’s been a few months since I did mine and it still adheres to the “rubber” wheel. I also put a tiny dab of glue at the terminal of each stitch run to secure it.

 

That's not a bad idea.

 

I thought about this but ended up buying a Tacoma wheel instead

 

Apparently I accidentally bought a Tacoma steering wheel cover but didn't realize it until I had pulled my wheel and went to install. Oops! Ordered a Tundra one ($12USD) and now I wait another month for shipping. lol, I'll get there eventually!

 

Got it done today. 4hrs. Some imperfections where I felt the very corners of the material weren't quite long enough to tuck into the trim. Had I known I would have stretched a little harder and taped at the very edge against the instructions advice. Can't wait to drive it and see how it feels. Very happy with the subtle look change for the money!

 

That looks pretty decent.