Wood Steering Wheel

[09tahoehybrid]

Hi all,

A few days ago I ordered a wood steering wheel from Autowoods. I was surprised they had my trucks inside color combo (cashmere/tan) available at a decent price, in my excitement i sort of overlooked the small issue of actually installing the damn thing! lol.

I have looked through the "how-to" videos the company has, and am still not sure if it is something I can do or not.
I will have to transfer the controls (cruise control & audio) as well as the airbag to the new steering wheel.
http://www.autowoods.com/Video.htm

I would really appreciate everyone's thoughts/experiences with this swap.
Is it too difficult? Should I let a professional do it?---if so, then who/what kind of place? As well as anything else relevant or important in regards to this.

Thanks!!!

 

[Sancho]

You can "borrow" the tool to remove the steering wheel from autozone. The important thing is to follow the proper procedure for the airbag removal. I don't have an FSM for this vehicle, but I would beg, borrow, or steal the section pertaining to that- it's not as simple as "disconnect the battery," though shouldn't be too complicated.

 

[09tahoehybrid]

You can "borrow" the tool to remove the steering wheel from autozone. The important thing is to follow the proper procedure for the airbag removal. I don't have an FSM for this vehicle, but I would beg, borrow, or steal the section pertaining to that- it's not as simple as "disconnect the battery," though shouldn't be too complicated.

For hybrids I think you have to disconnect the battery negative and there is a switch that disables the hybrid powertrain under the rear seat--i can confirm this with the dealer.

Removing the airbag doesn't seem too difficult, just requires a little caution. What worries me is transferring the wire harness, audio/cruise controls, copper horn leads etc. Lots of small pieces and screws to keep track of. Also im not sure what the steering wheel puller does...cant i just take the nut holding the steering wheel off with a socket wrench??

 

[KMeloney]

Can't help with the process... Wondering if you could tell me how the wood and leather match is with the factory pieces? Would you say it's exact, really, close, or just ok?

 

[Sheriff]

Just my 2 cents worth..... you don't want to be working around that airbag with hand tools if you do not know what you are doing. This isn't a learn as you go thing. An exploding airbag will ram a handtool through your face and head if you're not very careful.

 

[09tahoehybrid]

Can't help with the process... Wondering if you could tell me how the wood and leather match is with the factory pieces? Would you say it's exact, really, close, or just ok?

Finish and match is absolutely perfect for my cashmere/burl interior. The feel of wood and leather is amazing, the stitching is nice and tight.

 

[ranorris2]

Im liking this, cant wait to see it installed

 

[KMeloney]

Finish and match is absolutely perfect for my cashmere/burl interior. The feel of wood and leather is amazing, the stitching is nice and tight.

Excellent. Thanks!

 

[Sancho]

For hybrids I think you have to disconnect the battery negative and there is a switch that disables the hybrid powertrain under the rear seat--i can confirm this with the dealer.

Removing the airbag doesn't seem too difficult, just requires a little caution. What worries me is transferring the wire harness, audio/cruise controls, copper horn leads etc. Lots of small pieces and screws to keep track of. Also im not sure what the steering wheel puller does...cant i just take the nut holding the steering wheel off with a socket wrench??

Yes, you remove the nut, but the whell is pressed on, so the wheel remover is like a pulley remover, it provides the leverage you need to pull the wheel off.

Just my 2 cents worth..... you don't want to be working around that airbag with hand tools if you do not know what you are doing. This isn't a learn as you go thing. An exploding airbag will ram a handtool through your face and head if you're not very careful.

The hardware attaching the airbag is behind the wheel, so no tools in the way- the airbag will just hit you square in the face if you did something wrong, no big deal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6YLIwzbbyM

 

[StevenFromTexas]

Just my 2 cents worth..... you don't want to be working around that airbag with hand tools if you do not know what you are doing. This isn't a learn as you go thing. An exploding airbag will ram a handtool through your face and head if you're not very careful.

I'm with you on this one. Why is it older people are more cautious? Hum, maybe that's why they live long enough to be older.

 

[HOE-N-IT]

I had looked into this awhile back but didn't think any more about it. Now you have peaked my interest again. Dang!

You said that the, "Finish and match is absolutely perfect for my cashmere/burl interior." The web site states that the wood trim finish is slightly more glossy then the OEM wood trim. Did you find this to be the case and if so, is it really noticeable? I assume too that the hybrid and LTZ wood trim are the same.

The videos seem to be very detailed and complete. I would go ahead and disconnect the airbag connector at the steering column under the dash as shown as an option in the video instead of, or in addition to disconnecting the negative battery terminal.

Personally, I wouldn't have any problems trying this mod myself but only you can access your own abilities. Good luck.

 

[Sheriff]

The hardware attaching the airbag is behind the wheel, so no tools in the way- the airbag will just hit you square in the face if you did something wrong, no big deal.

The Titanic was unsinkable too.

If something can go wrong, it will.

 

[09tahoehybrid]

I had looked into this awhile back but didn't think any more about it. Now you have peaked my interest again. Dang!

You said that the, "Finish and match is absolutely perfect for my cashmere/burl interior." The web site states that the wood trim finish is slightly more glossy then the OEM wood trim. Did you find this to be the case and if so, is it really noticeable? I assume too that the hybrid and LTZ wood trim are the same.

The videos seem to be very detailed and complete. I would go ahead and disconnect the airbag connector at the steering column under the dash as shown as an option in the video instead of, or in addition to disconnecting the negative battery terminal.

Personally, I wouldn't have any problems trying this mod myself but only you can access your own abilities. Good luck.

Thanks for the encouraging words!!!
I literally sat in car for 15 min comparing the wood and leather of the new wheel to the interior...I really could not tell any difference, it just looked right.

The video makes the process look pretty straightforward, I'm shooting to do this mod early next week, and will update with the result.

Thanks

 

[Sancho]

The Titanic was unsinkable too.

If something can go wrong, it will.

That's why he needs to get the FSM so he can follow the procedure to properly disconnect the bag. I wouldn't just screw around with it willy-nilly either, but there is a procedure for their removal for a reason.

 

[ChrisAU]

I had looked into this awhile back but didn't think any more about it. Now you have peaked my interest again. Dang!

You said that the, "Finish and match is absolutely perfect for my cashmere/burl interior." The web site states that the wood trim finish is slightly more glossy then the OEM wood trim. Did you find this to be the case and if so, is it really noticeable? I assume too that the hybrid and LTZ wood trim are the same.

The videos seem to be very detailed and complete. I would go ahead and disconnect the airbag connector at the steering column under the dash as shown as an option in the video instead of, or in addition to disconnecting the negative battery terminal.

Personally, I wouldn't have any problems trying this mod myself but only you can access your own abilities. Good luck.

I'm in the same boat, I really want to do this mod again now.

To OP, Please post pics when you are done!

 

[StevenFromTexas]

To OP, Please post pics when you are done!

Yeah, post some pictures! Unless the pictures are taken by the doctor doing your facial reconstruction when the air bag blows up in your face.

 

[09tahoehybrid]

Yeah, post some pictures! Unless the pictures are taken by the doctor doing your facial reconstruction when the air bag blows up in your face.

Don't worry i'll post pictures either way!

 

[felixgun]

Don't worry i'll post pictures either way!

lol good! I'm likin the dedication!

 

[Faceplant]

I just got the new Steering wheel trim pieces and hope to install them this w/e. As the vid he posted shows, there are 2 ways to disarm the air bag, either should be sufficient. I certainly do not want to take an airbag to the grill, but I don't think this should be a problem.

 

[HOE-N-IT]

Yea, I'm thinking I will just do the trim pieces (spokes) too. I'm not sure I would like the feel of the "wood" on the wheel as much and I'm a little afraid it could crack over time or the finish could wear off from sweat or oils from my hands. I wouldn't want to returm my stock wheel so it gets a little expensive with the core charge too. This would bring a little of the burl from the dash and balance things out in my opinion.