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-   -   1999 TL steering wheel upgrade (https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/1999-tl-steering-wheel-upgrade-978045/)

Jacob Marin Jr 03-18-2019 12:19 PM
1999 TL steering wheel upgrade
 
Hey everyone, been a while since i posted anything about my car. I rencently bought an ‘03 wood trim Acura MDX steering wheel on eBay to install onto my TL. Being since most of these cars (Acura/Honda) from the early 2000’s shared most components.

Quick run down, my 99 TL needed a major upgrade on the steering wheel since sun damage and leather was falling apart. Did some searching and finally found what i wanted instead of just replacing the leather. The 03 MDX wheel was a direct fit to my 99. I have some pictures but forgot to take a before cause of the excitement i had to just get it installed.

Here it is:
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...53cb1fefa.jpeg
Original 99TL wheel
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...f65cfdce7.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...f508898ca.jpeg
03 Acura MDX wheel has been delivered
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...7defe3cd1.jpeg
The final product.

Arkady 03-19-2019 02:47 AM
Looks great! I did the same thing, but with a junkyard-sourced steering wheel. Mine's a tad different (3 - 5 and 7-9 o'clock are wood trim on mine I think).

I love how the "wood" trim matches the trim on our center console and I'm glad to see that someone else had the same great idea!

Midnight Mystery 03-19-2019 02:53 AM
I freaking love it, man! Wood trimmed wheels are the best! :)

Jacob Marin Jr 03-19-2019 06:35 AM
Yes the wood trim does feel a lot better and sportier. Steering wheel feels lighter and slimmer since it doesn’t have the extra patting for the leather.

Arkady 03-21-2019 12:30 PM
Just took a look at mine and I was wrong in the description - it's identical to yours but black instead of tan!
I too love how much thinner it is - does it feel weird for you too when you get into a different car and feel how thick the wheel is?

Jacob Marin Jr 03-21-2019 08:30 PM
Originally Posted by Arkady (Post 16401246)
Just took a look at mine and I was wrong in the description - it's identical to yours but black instead of tan!
I too love how much thinner it is - does it feel weird for you too when you get into a different car and feel how thick the wheel is?
haha. Yeah sort off. My wife’s 2011 GMC Acadia feels about the same width as the wood trim steering wheel so no much difference there. Overall I’ve done a few things to my TL to make it look different. Next I’m retrofitting the 03 type S seats to the fit the 99 electrical connections. Just waiting in warmer weather here in jersey.

Arkady 03-25-2019 02:06 PM
Originally Posted by Jacob Marin Jr (Post 16401537)


haha. Yeah sort off. My wife’s 2011 GMC Acadia feels about the same width as the wood trim steering wheel so no much difference there. Overall I’ve done a few things to my TL to make it look different. Next I’m retrofitting the 03 type S seats to the fit the 99 electrical connections. Just waiting in warmer weather here in jersey.
Good luck with the seats! Are you trying to get the memory function to work?

Jacob Marin Jr 03-25-2019 08:18 PM
Originally Posted by Arkady (Post 16403000)
Good luck with the seats! Are you trying to get the memory function to work?
no no, i just like the sporty bucket seats look and I’m pretty sure the 99 dont have the extra wire in the harness for the memory seats not to mention the 03 type s seats have the airbags integrated inside. Bought and entire type s front and rear seats for $50. Going to fix the leather and then retrofit the wiring to accommodate the 99 wiring. I’ll be sure to document and take pictures Incase someone else is looking for the same look.

Midnight Mystery 03-25-2019 08:34 PM
Sounds nice, man! Can't wait to see the end resault!

Arkady 03-26-2019 12:31 AM
Originally Posted by Jacob Marin Jr (Post 16403277)
no no, i just like the sporty bucket seats look and I’m pretty sure the 99 dont have the extra wire in the harness for the memory seats not to mention the 03 type s seats have the airbags integrated inside. Bought and entire type s front and rear seats for $50. Going to fix the leather and then retrofit the wiring to accommodate the 99 wiring. I’ll be sure to document and take pictures Incase someone else is looking for the same look.
haha yeah, I was about to say - quite ambitious, considering the lack of extra wire (and lack of control unit for the memory function)!
I replaced the foam of my seat with that of a post-facelift model of our TLs, so I had to deal with the airbags as well. I just removed it if I recall correctly.
Good steal on the seats! Junkyard pricing or something? And please do, if the buckets end up looking especially nice, I may have to consider the mod myself : )

Jacob Marin Jr 03-26-2019 08:30 AM
Originally Posted by Arkady (Post 16403378)
haha yeah, I was about to say - quite ambitious, considering the lack of extra wire (and lack of control unit for the memory function)!
I replaced the foam of my seat with that of a post-facelift model of our TLs, so I had to deal with the airbags as well. I just removed it if I recall correctly.
Good steal on the seats! Junkyard pricing or something? And please do, if the buckets end up looking especially nice, I may have to consider the mod myself : )
bought it off FB Market place and yeah steal. Guy wanted $100 because he described the seats as perfect and no tear on leather, but went to go pick them up and the driver seat had a big wear and tear and small tear on the back seats. I could’ve cared less but i made a comment and the guy just needed the space and he let me have it for $50, couldn’t let that pass cause I’ve seen almost perfect ones go for $300. Will do my best to this mod as soon as weather gets warmer.

BootySmasher 03-26-2019 04:47 PM
I would of done it the Chris Fix method of re wrapping it. but that looks like it was meant to be on the vehicle.

Jacob Marin Jr 03-26-2019 07:29 PM
Originally Posted by BootySmasher (Post 16403730)
I would of done it the Chris Fix method of re wrapping it. but that looks like it was meant to be on the vehicle.
i saw the video a few months ago but keep in mind that the TL steering wheel leather is on there by sections and not a whole wrap. And yes it does look like it was meant to be that way and an extra bonus was getting the volume and cruise controls with the wood trim wheel. The original ones were faded and wasn’t working properly.

whitetiger5 03-27-2019 11:53 AM
I think it looks awesome! especially with the dimpled leather.:thumbsup:

Was your volume button working inconsistently as well? I switched mine out when I redid my wheel (same way...LKQ junkyard for $25) but am wondering if shooting some electrical contact cleaner would have fixed it.

Jacob Marin Jr 03-27-2019 08:14 PM
Originally Posted by whitetiger5 (Post 16404029)
I think it looks awesome! especially with the dimpled leather.:thumbsup:

Was your volume button working inconsistently as well? I switched mine out when I redid my wheel (same way...LKQ junkyard for $25) but am wondering if shooting some electrical contact cleaner would have fixed it.
i had the issue of it working once in awhile and usually to have the wheel at a certain angle. When i did the switch of the steering wheel, looked like the previous owner spilled some coffee onto the wheel and some of the wiring was sticky and metal was somewhat rusty. Cleaned the wiring and the new(ish) wheel had no rust. End result was all electrical and buttons working properly.


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