Has anyone ever replaced their steering wheels with something aftermarket? I was thinking about it the other day and wanted to see if its been done before. Thinking how hard would it be to put the cruise control someplace else.

 

It's been done. Do a couple searches. There are even vendors who make custom steering wheels that look great.

 

I seen a pic of a tl with a removable one. I think the hub was gold iirc. Also I think it was an 04-06 tl

 

IMHO, the SINGLE best upgrade you can do to this car. Here's mine...

 

i love mine!





no comparison!

 

I went the exact same route as sockr1 - it's awesome!

And since it looks like none of us mentioned it yet, I think all of these came from Dallas Custom Steering.

 

LOVE mine. It's literally like driving a different car. Had them do the center console arm rest lid as well. Dallas custom wheel. Mine is identical to KJ's and Sockrs with exception of the stitching color. I had them use oem dark gray color stitching.

 

That looks really nice. Quick off-topic question though...why do you keep the warning sticker on your glovebox?

 

Lol good question. I think it fell out of the glovebox and I forgot about it, it's usually folded up and in the glovebox. It's never been removed as well as the sticker above the nav screen. The spare key is still in its plastic netting. I'm just weird like that and since I got the car last summer with only 4900 miles it was still basically in the wrapper. To put it short, i'm just really weird like that and I always think it's cool when I see aging cars with all it's original papers and documents and crap like that. I had to peel the window sticker off it when I bought it, that I'm not gonna drive around with still in place haha, but I do still have it nicely tucked away. The vehicle was owned and kept at Honda corporate offices in CT all it's life which is the reasoning for the mileage.

 

can I ask you guys
how is the leather and does it wear well

I have an issue with honda wheels where the leather keeps cracking
Gone through 5 new wheels and it keeps happening

 

The leather on the OEM wheel or the aftermarket ones? OEM wheel is good quality and does not wear heavily, but that's all dependent on the owner. If you man handle the shit out of it, always have dirty ass hands etc etc, then your wheel is gonna show it and age quicker. I have own several honda/acura vehicles and the wheels never showed any wear. I keep up with my stuff though.
The aftermarket Dallas wheel appears to be a very high quality piece and again, unless you are dirty, have all sorts of jewelry, scratch it with your finger nails then any wheel will wear...if none of that applies then it will look new for a looooooong time, but you going through 5 wheels sounds like an owner issue.

 

I had to ask, because in all your pictures, I always see it. But I didn't notice the nav sticker until you mentioned it. I'm the opposite about my things...I'm all for preserving them but the stickers have got to go, haha.

 

Haha yeah your right. The airbag one is tucked back in now :-P

 

So, back on topic...how much would a steering wheel like that run me?

 

For the thick padded wheel with perforated leather on sides like I have, KJ, and Sockr its gonna be in the 4-500 range. I forgot exactly as my purchase had the armrest cover as well. Its a good chunk of change, but absolutely worth it IMO. As others will say as well, it actually changes the driving experience. Going to the old TL steering wheel or a different car its like holding a pencil lol.

 

Love them.

 

Mines a base tho, so all those extra buttons is pointless even tho the wheel looks dope.

Is it just re-wrapped in newer leather? Mine is starting to fade and wear out too..

 

it's an oem wheel just rewrapped. either send yours in or buy a spare one for your specific car and send it in. he adds foam and whatever pattern/stitching you want. tons of options and his website has lots of examples. about 1 week turn around for high quality work.

 

I paid under $350 from Dallas Custom Steering wheel for the two tone and a 1/8" thickness increase

 

Mine is pretty well worn from 80k miles and some heavily-calloused hands from the 10 to 11 position.

I am meticulous with my maintenance practices, but a rough surface (hands) and man-handling is going to run it's course on any leather surface for that matter.

Still the SINGLE most satisfying mod I've done.

 

Anybody have a link? Are these the redlinegoods covers??

 

i feel this is better quality than redline goods.

link:
http://www.dallassteeringwheel.com/

 

Those wheels are pretty sweet! I've always wanted to upgrade the steering wheel in my 350 except i didnt want to lose the airbag. This is for sure the route Im going! Who knows, maybe i'll even do it for the TL along with the arm rest!