I just did a 4 hour drive and I've come to conclusion that I hate the wood steering wheel. I'm not interested in any aftermarket steering wheels because I like to keep it as oem as possible. What options are there for me? I have a 2001 gs430 with an aftermarket radio so the steering wheel controls don't work anymore, but cruise control does.

 

Get the rim wrapped in leather.

 

https://craftcustoms.com/ This is the shop that is the best at steering wheels. I am looking to get mine re-wrapped. They quoted $299. Plus shipping. You send them the wheel.

 

I picked up a sweet rewrap from a dude in Poland.

Can vouch, he's legit. https://www.facebook.com/piotr.bogunia.77

Price was under $150



Nice, quality work!

Detail is good

I painted the airbag today

 

Was that your wheel? Mine has the shifters on it. I would love to save some money. I wonder how much it would cost for shipping back and forth.

 

No, its not my original wheel. He also has wheels with the buttons on them.

Shipping one way was 35 euros and took about 3 weeks.

 

I was talking to a leather installer, and I brought up the topic of steering wheel. I told him craftcustom offers wood at $525, He told me you will not like the wood, and then went on about the feel of a leather wheel. I really liked the look of the wood on the GS. However, here is the post telling me exactly what he was saying. Thank you. I will save lots of money and use your guy, I have contacted him. He asked me what thread color. I said matching as close to OEM as possible.

 

I've passed up multiple opportunities to buy a Silk Blaze steering wheel because of the wood. I once got to drive every new model Lexus at a Taste of Lexus event in 2008 and have hated the feeling of wood steering wheels ever since. They look nice enough, but the hard surface, lack of grip, and overall unpleasantness of handling with even the slightest amount of sweat on my palms did not make for a pleasant driving experience.

A custom leather wrap or re-wrap is the way to go.

 

Bummer. He only has black steering wheels.

 

You can get it painted? There are good leather color change specialists. I was quoted $90 to change the color of my black leather steering wheel.

 

I will end up sending my wheel to craftcustom.

 

06 to 13 IS steering. And if you head unit has learn function a good electrician or audio guy could set up the IS steering control and paddle shifter and cruise control on the IS wheel.

 

Says who?
There are plenty of options out there to get a steering wheel interface for an after market radio. it just depends if the radio has the option for a controller to be plugged in.
Im using a wheel from an IS that didn't come with wood.