Steering wheel re-cover conversions (The Mother thread)
04-04-01, 12:28 PM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Steering wheel re-cover conversions (The Mother thread)
Anyone know if it is possible to change out my leather steering wheel for the newer model wood wheel with no problems? My leather steering wheels' leather is dying (yes I know it is already dead, for the silly folks), chipping away slowly. I really like the new wood look and want to exchange. Anyone?
04-04-01, 03:03 PM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
I'm not sure if the new ones will fit (the connectors might be different) but there is a place in Los Angeles that will rework the steering wheel and you can have wood put on it (real wood, not some tacky add-on crap). The shop is William Rau's...
Link to William Rau's Website...
However, the price is expensive. Are you sitting down? It's over $1000. But that's not bad! Because a REAL Lexus wood steering wheel is $2700. The nice thing about the William Rau thing is that you can have the wood and color any way you want it. And they do a KILLER color/grain match for factory wood.
I have the factory wood steering wheel in my GS (a VERY RARE thing. I don't know that any of the 2001 models GS430's came that way...I worked mine in as a dealer add-on when I bought the car...getting them to do it was like pulling teeth!) and when I get my LS daily-driver, I think I'll do the retrofit (if I get a LS w/o the wood) through Rau...
If someone has a spare steering wheel shell (no airbag), I'll buy it off them...I want to experiment with a carbon fiber retrofit (I know how to work Carbon Fiber, but not wood)...
Link to William Rau's Website...
However, the price is expensive. Are you sitting down? It's over $1000. But that's not bad! Because a REAL Lexus wood steering wheel is $2700. The nice thing about the William Rau thing is that you can have the wood and color any way you want it. And they do a KILLER color/grain match for factory wood.
I have the factory wood steering wheel in my GS (a VERY RARE thing. I don't know that any of the 2001 models GS430's came that way...I worked mine in as a dealer add-on when I bought the car...getting them to do it was like pulling teeth!) and when I get my LS daily-driver, I think I'll do the retrofit (if I get a LS w/o the wood) through Rau...
If someone has a spare steering wheel shell (no airbag), I'll buy it off them...I want to experiment with a carbon fiber retrofit (I know how to work Carbon Fiber, but not wood)...
Last edited by Manaray; 04-04-01 at 05:56 PM.
04-04-01, 03:34 PM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Dammit Manaray!
Why don't you just kill me or something!
Why do you always spoil my dreams with these outrages prices!
I'm just joking, thanks for the info.
Now if only I can find one in Houston, TX.
Why don't you just kill me or something!
Why do you always spoil my dreams with these outrages prices!
I'm just joking, thanks for the info.
Now if only I can find one in Houston, TX.
04-07-01, 11:25 AM
#6
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Join Date: Feb 2001
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I THINK that they bolt up Lou. Problem is with a new wheel you wont be able to reuse your airbag module. That means you'd have to buy one for a 98-00. So, on top of that $2700 add about $1,000. The reason the Lexus wood/leather wheel is so expensive is that they are hand formed and made, each one takes 3 weeks to complete. The workmanship on it is really something, and Ive never seen another one so perfect as the one on mine and the LS430's.
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06-13-01, 11:18 AM
#10
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
That it buddy, I'm gonna kick your land loving a$$ when you come back! 
I know the steering wheel is the same size and the airbags don't match up so I also have to get a 98 airbag.
They look similar in where they get bolted on but I just want to make sure they fit perfectly without no problems.
I don't to be spending a lot of money and then find out they don't fit just right or the airbag wires don't connect.
I know the steering wheel is the same size and the airbags don't match up so I also have to get a 98 airbag.
They look similar in where they get bolted on but I just want to make sure they fit perfectly without no problems.
I don't to be spending a lot of money and then find out they don't fit just right or the airbag wires don't connect.
07-09-01, 10:53 AM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
http://www.american-stitches.com/ams...ages/main.html
For those of us that are not fortunate enough to have the wood steering wheels, here is a company that will do the conversion for as low as $350 for a 2 wood conversion!
Check it out!
For those of us that are not fortunate enough to have the wood steering wheels, here is a company that will do the conversion for as low as $350 for a 2 wood conversion!
Check it out!
Wooden steering wheel for 2-nd gen
07-11-03, 08:55 AM
#14
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Join Date: Dec 2002
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It is available.
Don't buy the ones on eBay - they are for 98-00 and will not fit.
There is a company that does retrofit. Go to www.spartanmotormall.com ->online parts catalog ->accesories. The wheel is $799 - $300 for your old one = $499.
I thought about it, but I'd have to remove my wheel and wait for them to re-wrap it and ship it back. This means that I'd be w/o a car for a few weeks! Oh, and $499! Not worth the effort to me.
Hope this helps.
Don't buy the ones on eBay - they are for 98-00 and will not fit.
There is a company that does retrofit. Go to www.spartanmotormall.com ->online parts catalog ->accesories. The wheel is $799 - $300 for your old one = $499.
I thought about it, but I'd have to remove my wheel and wait for them to re-wrap it and ship it back. This means that I'd be w/o a car for a few weeks! Oh, and $499! Not worth the effort to me.
Hope this helps.
07-11-03, 09:15 AM
#15
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Just called American Stitches directly to find out what's the deal 888-403-3403. (got interested myself)
This is their web site: http://www.american-stitches.com/ams...es/index2.html
Option 1:
If you send in your steering wheel to be refinished, they will also want a piece of wood from your interior in order to make a match. This will take 9-14 business days and cost you $500.
Option2:
If you get a wheel from then and then send your wheel as a core replacement, they will charge you $1500 upfront and refund $900 after you send your original wheel. The total would be $600, but you don't have to be w/o a car for 9-14 BD. You still have to mail a piece of wood from your interior fo rthem to match. Not sure how they will match the color of leather. I guess there aren't that many different colors.
This is their web site: http://www.american-stitches.com/ams...es/index2.html
Option 1:
If you send in your steering wheel to be refinished, they will also want a piece of wood from your interior in order to make a match. This will take 9-14 business days and cost you $500.
Option2:
If you get a wheel from then and then send your wheel as a core replacement, they will charge you $1500 upfront and refund $900 after you send your original wheel. The total would be $600, but you don't have to be w/o a car for 9-14 BD. You still have to mail a piece of wood from your interior fo rthem to match. Not sure how they will match the color of leather. I guess there aren't that many different colors.