2006 Tacoma Steering Wheel Removal

My 2006 Taco has Pre-Runner has 124k on the clock now and my steering wheel is starting to shows signs of wear and the leather cover is getting slick. So I have decided to have the steering wheel redone. So I have purchased a kit from 'Red Line Goods' that consists of leather wraps, wheel pad, thumb grips and blue stitching. I have removed the steering and disassembled the steering wheel and have sent it to 'Nora' for professional installation.
Kind of excited about getting this done. 'Nora' is very pleasant and easy to work with.
So,..I will have to wait a few days till Nora receives the wheel, performs her magic, and I receive the steering wheel back. So,..Nora has me by the Taco till her does her magic.

That be said, I could not find very good/complete information on removal of my steering wheel.
Actually, it IS very easy,...if you know how.

Unplug you battery and wait 30 min to an hour to be safe.

There are two plastic covers on each side of the plastic shroud in back of the steering wheel.

Carefully pop each plastic cover off.

There is a torx screw under each cover you pulled off. Unscrew them until they loosen from the column. They are held within a plastic retainer so you do not have to fully remove them.

Now carefully wiggle the steering wheel Cover/Air Bag and slowly lift the assembly off. Release each cable connector carefully and label connector to what color and where it removed.

The Air Bag are keyed and color coded. Just pull up on the yellow tab and the connector will release.

I then remove the steering wheel controls by carefully prying and wiggling each control. You should have removed the cable to each control prior to this.

Remove the steering wheel nut. The steering wheel should be able to be removed now.

Assembly will be the reverse. Just take your time.

That's my take on it. I will respond later upon the Assembly and my final impressions on this process.

 

What's underneath the leather wrap look like? I don't like my steering wheel cover, me I'd prefer to have a non wrapped wheel like the base models have

 

I am not sure if they take off the old leather or glue and wrap around it then sew it on. RedLine Product can probably tell you. I will ask also. The leather seems very good quality.

I really like the Thumb Grips on the new steering wheels and that is being added. I talked with some steering wheel manufacturers at SEMA and they want about $1k for a complete new custom steering wheel.

I really like the new Taco Steering Wheels but I do not know if they retro fit easily. Might be an issue with controls and Airbags.

 

This is my new reconditioned Taco Steering Wheel. I purchased a leather kit from Redline Goods that included Thumb Grips and extra padding,
then I sent it off to the Lovely Nora who is a professional installer for Redline Goods. I also ordered the blue stiching that matches my Taco's paint.
I am certainly glad I picked Nora to perform the installation. She did an incredible job. I had to send the disassembled steering wheel along with the kit to Nora.
The turnaround time was very fast and I got a very professional job. Love it.

 

damn that looks nice! i wish the leather on my wheel was nicer just leather like my trd pro tundra shift knob.

 

Looks comfy!

 

Do y need an extractor?