Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

I purchased my 1st LS a copuple months ago and have been reading this great forum - and learning a lot.

My car does not have a wooden steering wheel - but it does have a wooden shift lever (could've been added after-the-build?)

It also does not have heated side mirrors. I think that is standard starting in 1998, but could it have come packaged with heated seats (which I don't have)?

Thanks for the clarification...

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

good read to clarify:
http://www.lexls.com/info/lsgenerations.html

wood wheels and **** were an option in 98 and became standard in 99-00.
doesn't really say about heated mirrors however.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

heated mirrors weren't an option in the US afaik, only auto-dimming was. (Can't remember)
EDIT: Ignore that, all LS400s in the US had defrosting side mirrors activated by the rear window defroster.

If your car was optioned with the wood shifter it should have been optioned with the steering wheel as well, unless the shifter was added by an owner at some poin.

http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/1998/1998LSspecs.pdf should help a lot

YoshiMan

MY 95 has heated mirrors, and it's the "base" model without heated seats or traction control.. They should come on with the rear window defroster.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

you're right, post edited.

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

Thanks...I didn't see any indication on the glass that it's heated, and I didn't know - if it was - how it was activated.

YoshiMan

It is kinda funny how they didn't make any indication that they are heated though, huh? I just recently discovered that my parents 2001 Toyota Sienna has them too, which i totally was not expecting

SammySnit

If I find a used 98-00 wood wheel, will it fit my '97 without issues?

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

it is not weird, just the base model

Shmee

iTrader: (3)

No.
There are numerous threads about this, the search function is your friend. The basket/frame and the airbag. Are different on the 95-97 and 98-00 wheels.
You will need to source a 95-97 JDM wooden steering wheel (OEM or aftermarket) as they weren't an option on USDM cars.

If you were to source a 98-00 wheel with airbag and clipped wiring harness, you could make it work, but it is certainly not "plug&play"
Which sucks because those JDM wooden wheels are like $350+s&h in good shape.

SammySnit

Thanks for the info.


...and my bad for not relying on the search.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

i could search but while i'm here, do the splines still line up though? in other words does the steering wheel still bolt onto the steering column, with no interference of the clock spring, etc?

i know the 95-97 airbag will not work with the 98-00 wheels.

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

The wood wheel and shift **** is an integrated option. The standard **** is leather - no?

BWLS400

I just bought a '98 as well and it does not have heated mirrors, HID's, or heated seats. I think those are the only differences between it and the '99 i have. Other than that, they spitting images of one another.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

it's reasonably commmon for '98s to have wood shifters simply because a wood shifter would be a couple hundred dollars at most (back then) vs. the new steering wheel which was >$500 even today, and would require specialized installation.

it was added after purchase.