Installed new stitched leather steering wheel cover

You should do it, totally worth it. Just be prepared to set aside a good part of a day.

 

How much thicker is it? I assume the seams are in the same place as the original seems which would double the thickness. Can you notice it?

 

The leather cover itself is probably 1mm thick. You're correct, the seams are in the same place as well. Steering wheel feels a little thicker, definitely noticeable which I prefer though. Don't like the skinny wheels.

 

How did you change everything to black on the interior

 

How about helping me by sewing mine up in exchange for money???!!! Yours looks great.

 

Ha, I'd be glad to help if you were local but I'm a long ways from Cali. Here are some general tips in addition to the ones from the Tundra site:

Followed the second link on removing the airbag and trim. I actually didn't take either off, just loosened them and moved them out of the way.

I'd definitely put it on the steering wheel and let it stretch or warm up in the sun before sewing. Might need to use a hair dryer if it's cold out. Make sure the sides wrap around and meet together edge to edge before sewing otherwise you'll have some small gaps. You can take the cover off and stretch the leather in certain areas to make them meet better. The thread can only bring the sides together so much.

Then go section by section, apply the double sided tape ~1/2 inch away from the edge and apply glue on the remainder closer to the edge. You have ~15 minutes before the glue dries out.

Toughest areas are above and below the 9 and 3 o'clock positions. I ended up stitching like the included instructions tell you as opposed to the YouTube video since I liked the pattern better.

Overall not the hardest mod although takes a little patience.

 

Ummm, I was kicking around the idea of doing this. Maybe with some alcantara? Do do like the feel of it, even though I'm pretty sure it will wear out quickly.

 

Yeah, I read some posts about Alcantara steering wheels. The consensus seems to be that they all wear out with time so I ended staying with leather although I mixed it up with the perforated kind.

 

Is that factory or aftermarket?

 

Good job OP, looks amazing!!!!!

 

I bought the leather cover on Amazon.. originally my steering wheel is rubber, I covered it and sew it... it came out really nice...

 

Yeah it did, you did a great job.

 

It was painful... but I’ll do it again haha..

 

i'm ordering this today. i love it, will match my Pro stitching also and i prefer a thicker wheel as well.

wonder how the suede holds up compared to the regular leather. do you know how suede does vs. alcantara?

 

In my opinion, now that I know how to do it and let’s say the Alcántara just holds in good shape for only two years i would change it for another one and have a Brand new wheel... the good thing about Alcántara is the grip.. if you have sweaty hands, the steering wheel will get shinny really fast (leather)

I do not like shinny leather steering wheels... so when mine gets a little bit shinny I’ll replace it.. maybe I’ll try Alcántara or suede... AND on top of the old one so the steering wheel gets thicker..

 

No, don't think I saw a distinction between Alcantara and suede. Looks like Loncky sells a suede version though.

 

That turned out awesome! Are those factory leather seats?

 

Damn. Nice job looks great.

 

not a problem. i ordered A & C black suede, B leather & holes, red stitching and a red marker. hope to do this before it's 1,000 degrees outside.

 

Depends on whether the suede is split-leather or rough-out/top-grain (rough on both sides vs. smooth on inside, rough on the outside). Split leather suede is more likely to tear, while rough-out suede is actually more durable than smooth top-grain leather.

Split leather suede can be very durable if the hide is selected for very uniform thickness and grain.

I'd bet on quality suede being much more durable than alcantara, which is just a synthetic fabric with a knappy surface. Alcantara surface will almost always wear off and get smooth, and then the fabric backing will begin to break down, and this effect gets much worse on repeated contact with salty or acidic sweat. I think Alcantara makes a great seating surface, but is not suitable for skin contact surfaces.