How to Install JDM Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel for 2005-2011 Tacomas

JDM Sport Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel Install for 2005-2011 Tacomas



Buy a JDM steering wheel from eBay. Plenty of choices including carbon fiber and wood of various colors. For example: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XFj120+steering+wheel.TRS0&_nkw=Fj120+steering+wheel&_sacat=0





The wheel is intended for the FJ120 Land Cruiser Prado and is a direct fit for the 2003-2009 4Runner and GX470. For the Tacoma, the hub interface that engages the spiral cable has the opposite tongue-and-groove design. Hence the need for modification.



DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Remove the steering wheel and spiral cable from the truck. Follow @adio's excellent guide here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/installed-steering-wheel-audio-controls-on-my-08.316944/
FSM page with illustration: http://www.customtacos.com/tech.old...6toyrm/06toypdf/06rmsrc/rm2006ta/04700510.pdf

For trucks with VSC, there's a steering angle sensor clipped to the back of the spiral cable. Carefully separate it. FSM page with illustration: http://www.customtacos.com/tech.old...6toyrm/06toypdf/06rmsrc/rm2006ta/04100810.pdf

Tape up the spiral cable around the outer rim to prevent the unit from rotating off-center and to prevent contaminant ingress. Also tape up the electrical connectors.

Using a Dremel with the 1/4" sanding drum, grind away the two "tongues" at 9 and 3 o'clock in the bore of the spiral cable. Be careful not to cut deeper than the surrounding material. Tap out the big swarf chunks and blow out the rest with compressed air.



Before cutting into the OEM spiral cable (which costs about $120), I bought a $15 Chinese knock-off part to practice on. Plenty for sale on eBay if you search for P/N 84306-48030, e.g. http://www.ebay.com/itm/161767026478.

Stick a piece of closed-cell sponge rubber foam under the 12 o'clock electrical connector. I used 1/4" thick x 3/4" wide outdoor weatherstripping material with self-adhesive backing from Home Depot. This will be used to drive the spiral cable.



Using a Dremel with the 1/2" sanding drum, grind away about two-thirds of the material of the two "tongues" at 9- and 3 o'clock on the steering wheel hub. The hub material looks to be cast aluminum and cuts pretty easily. Keeping grinding until the modified spiral cable can fully seat on the wheel hub, bottomed out.

To prevent contamination, I wrapped the steering wheel in a big plastic bag, with a small hole cut in the middle to expose just the hub.



Transfer the stereo buttons, cruise control lever, and various plastic covers from the stock wheel to the new wheel:



Install the spiral cable, steering wheel, and airbag. Reconnect the battery. Start the truck and verify all the steering wheel buttons and horn work. Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock a few times and check that the airbag and VSC lights don't illuminate. As of this writing, I ran mine for over a week with no issues, even verified that VSC behaves correctly in oversteer conditions.