Wanted: Wood Steering Wheel
04-12-02, 10:05 PM
#5
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: usa
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Hey guys,
Your best bet is a company in Texas, American Stitches.
I did a lot of research before getting my wheel, and 6 months later, I still think the wood wheel was the best mod I did. The interior looks very plain without it, but as soon as you get the wheel, it really changes everything. The change is so dramatic it helped convince me into keeping the car whereas before I was thinking of buying something different.The wood has a much better feel than the sticky stock leather.
Cost: I don't remember exactly, but it was about $400. I took my wheel off, shipped it to them. It took about 2 weeks until I got the wheel back. Luckily I bought a used wheel from a GS and I used it while I waited for my wood wheel to arrive. I still have the wheel in case someone needs to borrow it while their wheel is being done.
The quality of the wheel is perfect. It's Lexus quality, 100%. The color of the wood and the leather match up flawlessly. Most importantly for me, they managed to do a perfect job around the E-shift buttons. I talked directly with the boss to make sure my wheel was done right and he gave me a break on the price too.
I called them about 10 times and emphasized that I want this wheel to look perfect and they promised it would. They delivered.
If you have the E-shift and you want the wood wheel, this is the only company I would trust to do it. I'm sure that Rau-wood makes quality stuff, but his prices are ridiculous.
Other options will not work. For example, if you were to obtain a 2002 GS wood wheel from the Lexus dealer, it will not work for the following reasons: The airbag connections are different and it will not plug in. Next, your "airbag warning light" will be on all the time. Third, you cannot reuse the old airbag in the new wheel or modify anything in any way to make this setup work. Trust me, I found out the hard way.
Your best bet is a company in Texas, American Stitches.
I did a lot of research before getting my wheel, and 6 months later, I still think the wood wheel was the best mod I did. The interior looks very plain without it, but as soon as you get the wheel, it really changes everything. The change is so dramatic it helped convince me into keeping the car whereas before I was thinking of buying something different.The wood has a much better feel than the sticky stock leather.
Cost: I don't remember exactly, but it was about $400. I took my wheel off, shipped it to them. It took about 2 weeks until I got the wheel back. Luckily I bought a used wheel from a GS and I used it while I waited for my wood wheel to arrive. I still have the wheel in case someone needs to borrow it while their wheel is being done.
The quality of the wheel is perfect. It's Lexus quality, 100%. The color of the wood and the leather match up flawlessly. Most importantly for me, they managed to do a perfect job around the E-shift buttons. I talked directly with the boss to make sure my wheel was done right and he gave me a break on the price too.
I called them about 10 times and emphasized that I want this wheel to look perfect and they promised it would. They delivered.
If you have the E-shift and you want the wood wheel, this is the only company I would trust to do it. I'm sure that Rau-wood makes quality stuff, but his prices are ridiculous.
Other options will not work. For example, if you were to obtain a 2002 GS wood wheel from the Lexus dealer, it will not work for the following reasons: The airbag connections are different and it will not plug in. Next, your "airbag warning light" will be on all the time. Third, you cannot reuse the old airbag in the new wheel or modify anything in any way to make this setup work. Trust me, I found out the hard way.
04-13-02, 11:19 AM
#7
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: usa
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I'm from Connecticut so I just shipped them the wheel and they shipped it back to me after they did the work. I don't remember their #, but you can look it up through their web site:
www.American-stiches.com
www.American-stiches.com
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04-26-02, 03:06 AM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Texas
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Originally posted by Pearlpower
Im calling tomorrow to get a good price. If he quotes me 400.00 , im doing it. I can ask if he is willing to do a group buy and then get with Static911 on the outcome.
Im calling tomorrow to get a good price. If he quotes me 400.00 , im doing it. I can ask if he is willing to do a group buy and then get with Static911 on the outcome.
