Steering wheel cover - Installed
 

Thought I'd share this weekends project...


I always despised the stock, cheap feeling (and blazing hot in summer) vinyl steering wheel but never liked most aftermarket covers due to their "afterthought", generic patterned covers. Like where the cover terminates on the spokes.....those seams triggered my OCD :-)


I found eBay had custom patterned coverings and gave one a shot. I purchased this alcantara steering wheel cover almost 2 years ago, but just got around to finally installing it. The job was not difficult in a mechanical sense, but it was tedious. And it required a bit of detail work to get it just right. Considering the cost (I recall paying less than $45), I am astounded by the quality and satisfaction it brought to the driving experience.


Some tips for anyone considering:
- Remove the airbag and lower steering wheel trim. Although the directions say to just tuck the leather into the crevices, you can get much better results by pulling the bag/trim.
- Start your stitching on lower side of the 3 and 9 o'clock spokes. This will allow you to hide the more ugly start stitches (not that they're bad, but the finish stitches carry on the pattern right to the end).
- Align the leather seam with the faux seam on the stock wheel.
- Spread out the gathered bagginess at the thumb rest/bumps as you stitch (rather than try to get rid of it all at once).


This plus the 3/4" slave cyl. mod all in one weekend made this morning's drive to work MUCH better.


Enjoy!

Question.


How does this "grip" to the steering wheel? Like when you're grabbing it and turning, would it bunch up?

This kit included double sided film (like tape but much thinner, basically just the glue layer) that you put along the inner edges of the leather cover. But honestly it's probably unneeded as the cover was cut perfectly sized so that when you cinch the stitching down it's tight. I did use it, and it helped with the alignment phase.



It honestly feels factory, with no movement.

This is the vendor I purchased from. It looks like there's been a bit of price creep in the almost 2 years since I bought it, but honestly, I'd pay the new price without hesitation knowing what I know now. I didnt poke around now, but back then, there were multiple styling options (leather, suede, colors, etc):


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Suede...7Ciid%3A1#rwid



I'll also add that I cut the corners of the 3 and 9 o'clock spokes where the cover was long (to tuck behind the airbag). I did this to get much neater corners where it followed behind the airbag. I also used a bit of hot glue in those areas to ensure it looked factory. I didnt get pics of that unfortunately. But you can see in the unfinished pics where the cover was proud.

I did a wrap on mine as well. It turned out ok. I decided after some time that I wanted a different shape and better quality, so I bought the FT86Speedfactory wheel in leather. I haven't received it yet, so hopefully it is an upgrade. My package should be coming soon (I bought a few things), but I was also told the item is on backorder, so I might not get it soon.

I did the red stripe, Alcantara or imitation stuff on the underside of the top, perf "leather" on the inside and regular "leather" on the outside. There is a pattern that creates the look of a flat bottom, which looks nice, but the feeling isn't great in the hands, nor is the quality of the materials, but what can I say for $60 bucks; you get what you pay for. Like I said, hopefully the quality of the materials is better on the FT86Speedfactory wheel.

https://i.imgur.com/rbpFd4U.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/MHBtbsc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ovdmiRc.jpg

The leather one looks great. I've been wanting to do something about my steering wheel as the oils and sun have damaged it with fading. Leather is my preferred but I was also considering a flat bottom wheel like the FT86 ones as well.

Do you remember what cover this is? Trying to find it.

JI Loncky Genuine Leather Auto Custom Steering Wheel Covers for 2013 2014 2015 2016 Scion FR-S / 2013 2014 2015 2016 Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 Accessories

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MAX042E..._7MCDDb4J19MYT

Has anyone every tried doing a full remove and replace for the steering wheel wrap?

Similar to what ChrisFix did? A really clean job.
Reference link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sStxk4mv_DY

I'm wondering if these covers work if the OEM wrap was removed first, or would these wraps be too big and specifically made to cover over the OEM steering wheel.

How much more thickness does it add?