tavarish

iTrader: (2)

Hey guys,

I wasn't really enjoying the dated look of the Soarer steering wheel, and everyone and their mother asking me if it was a Citroen, so I decided to do something about it.

I wanted something a bit more modern, but something unique. I didn't need an airbag, so I'd save lots of money in that aspect. Then I noticed a buddy of mine with a Scion Tc, and I really liked the look and feel (leather) of the steering wheel, not to mention the audio controls. Turns out those steering wheels are dirt cheap.

I picked one up on ebay for 35 bucks, with a blown airbag (this part is damn near IMPOSSIBLE to find, no one will sell it). I guess I lucked out.

Please excuse the quality, I didnt have my camera handy, so these are from my phone camera.

Here it is the day I got it:



And after I took the exploded device and bag out, for fitment purposes:



I stole the idea from a guy on my350z who did the same method to create a new steering wheel on his older 240sx.

Here's what I did:

Superglued the ends together to make it look like the airbag wasnt blown, and gorilla glued the back. Then, I sanded the surface with 60 grit to get rid of the imperfections and took off that stupid Scion emblem and its backing:





I then got Great Stuff expanding foam and put it in the empty airbag hole, for added support:



Then I got some leftover suede from my interior wrap and proceeded to wrap it. I used 3M Super 77 Adhesive.





Then I used a small amount of super glue for the edges, and to make sure nothing moves:





Lexus emblem will be here soon:



Finished product:



I'll be wiring everything up so the controls and LEDs work like factory, should be easy enough.

Also, here's a mod I did to my 14 dollar Insignia eBay amp:





Total cost for everything was about 50 bucks.

Let me know what you guys think.

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

Pretty nice and cheap DIY, but what happens if/when you get in an accident and don't have an airbag?

tavarish

iTrader: (2)

Same thing that happens in a car with a momo steering wheel. My Soarer wheel didn't have a bag in it, and I'm planning on getting a cage and harness for the car anyway. I already have Corbeau A4 seats installed.

No biggie. Besides, the car has good brakes and decent seat belts. It also helps that I drive like a grandma.

Mortal300

iTrader: (3)

Theres one thing i've learned from seeing all my friends crash.

Its not bout you drivin like a grandma its about the other idiots on the road messing up.

And i dont believe that u drive perfect all the time U punch the car here and there i bet.

Careful dude

One_jZ_SC3

iTrader: (2)

looks good to me! What size emblem are you planning to use??

YeA 2jZ

iTrader: (15)

dosent look to bad looks pretty comfy how wide is it ? and is the airbag ( Iknow it dont work)a single stage ?

96SC4

iTrader: (2)

looks a ton better than the infamous yarn-bag steering wheel....
i'd just hate driving cars with no airbags... to each his own though

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

+111111.......

tavarish

iTrader: (2)

probably the OEM steering wheel size. I got my fingers crossed and hope that it's the same size as the scion emblem.

I'll probably get it from an is300 or something.

tavarish

iTrader: (2)

The bag is a dual stage, and has 2 plugs. I don't care about airbags so it was a no brainer for me. I always wear my seatbelt and am planning on getting a cage soon.

That yarn bag is hilarious. I applaud his work and ideas, but the final project looked like hot garbage and you could tell it was sewn with yarn. lol

romeo291

iTrader: (1)

Niceeeee, much more cost effective than the IS steering wheel I did.

Enigma8246

that actually looks really good man. do you have any pics of the A4 seats? i've been looking into seats and am strongly considering those. Did you have to get any extra hardware to mount them?

djb5118

i wouldnt wrap a functional airbag if that's what you are planning

tavarish

iTrader: (2)

I don't have any direct pics of the seats yet, but here are some old pics:





I made my own rails from Honda Civic rails, some aluminum bar from Homedepot, and some bolts. It took a lot of time to make them, but they recline and adjust just like a stock seat should.

tavarish

iTrader: (2)

If you have a blown airbag, you're better off sanding it, putting some bondo down, and painting it. The yarn looks nuts, lol.