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Replacing steering wheel with something else?

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Old Oct 15, 2008 | 02:11 AM
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Default Replacing steering wheel with something else?
Hi people,

the leather on my steering wheel is beginning to wear out, and I'm looking at some options to maybe replace the steering wheel with something else.

I thought about going with a 1998 Supra steering wheel, or the ones from 2000~2005 Celica or MR2 Spyder, all are 3-spoke designs with leather, and probably smaller diameter than my stock steering wheel. Or maybe one from a IS300 would work nicely also.


Has anyone attempted to replace the steering wheel with something other than OEM leather or wood wheels? The TRD one looks great, but is pretty expensive, and the airbag doesn't work, according to Steve's site. The 1998~2000 GS has 1 plug for the airbag, while the 2001+ has the 2-stage 2 plug airbags correct?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
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Old Oct 15, 2008 | 06:04 AM
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what color is the leather of your current wheel? would you consider replacing it with a stock lexus wheel... from my car persay?
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Old Oct 15, 2008 | 07:02 AM
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I have heard the RX300 wheels work
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Old Oct 15, 2008 | 07:09 AM
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My steering wheel leather is getting trashed out too. But since I have the dreaded GS4, it is harder to just swap out, with the shifter on it. I think I am just going to opt to redo the leather, as it seems the easy way out.
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Old Oct 15, 2008 | 07:14 AM
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dude, go with the Sc430 Steering wheels!
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Old Oct 15, 2008 | 07:35 AM
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Your best bet

http://www.american-stitches.com/
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Old Oct 15, 2008 | 02:14 PM
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my wheel is black leather with no E-shift buttons.

I emailed American Stitches (Craft Customs now) and I'll see what they say.

I found some JDM steering wheels online, but they say that the hub on my car might not match some of the wheels. The prices on those wheels are great, even though used, and they look very nice too.

Anyone tried IS300 steering wheel? That looks pretty nice too.
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Old Oct 15, 2008 | 02:24 PM
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I think the IS300 steering wheel is a lot smaller than the GS one. It might be nicer in a sporty GS like yours.
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Old Oct 15, 2008 | 07:25 PM
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nardi is the answer to this
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Old Oct 15, 2008 | 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by sc_sauce'd
nardi is the answer to this
does nardi have something that has an airbag?
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Old Oct 15, 2008 | 07:40 PM
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Anyone know if 2IS with paddles work?
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Old Oct 15, 2008 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Solo_D33A
Anyone know if 2IS with paddles work?
itd probably be tricky to wire up but its doable i think.

i was thinking about this with an RX300/330 wood wheel and just trying to wire the volume up/down buttons on the lower left of the wheel for e-shift
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Old Oct 16, 2008 | 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by jcat_GS3
itd probably be tricky to wire up but its doable i think.

i was thinking about this with an RX300/330 wood wheel and just trying to wire the volume up/down buttons on the lower left of the wheel for e-shift

I bought an IS350 wheel to look at this possibilty. The 2 gen IS airbag has connectors on it that are way different than a 2 gen GS of any year.
The paddle shift wiring doesn't look like it would be a problem wiring up.
I also like the steering wheel controls, maybe trying to hookup the "phone" button to a bluetooth handfree kit or something like it.
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Old Oct 16, 2008 | 08:34 AM
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Originally Posted by vrferrari
I bought an IS350 wheel to look at this possibilty. The 2 gen IS airbag has connectors on it that are way different than a 2 gen GS of any year.
The paddle shift wiring doesn't look like it would be a problem wiring up.
I also like the steering wheel controls, maybe trying to hookup the "phone" button to a bluetooth handfree kit or something like it.
for the airbag im sure you could probably cut the connectors and splice the wiring somehow no?
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Old Oct 16, 2008 | 09:08 AM
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Not sure....and, I would be VERY hesitant to cluge (?) together anything for something as important as the airbag.
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