Steering wheel leather cover

[Ivan_B]

Here is another small thing to brag about: I installed a leather cover onto the steering wheel

The original objective was to protect the old plastic. It is still in very good condition (only minor cracks) but the perimeter is obviously worn. I wanted to cover the whole wheel (including spokes and horn button) with thin ivory leather. My wheel is brown, but I like the ivory color instead. However, I've quickly realized that I have no idea where to get the proper matching color leather, etc., to do this right. So I decided to experiment with just the universal cover strip, first. Bought this one. Size XL1, according to the provided chart.

 

The leather is soft and stretchy, but way more thicker than I expected. The color turned-out to be not quite as I expected either, and the original holes were too far apart. I was planning to do a hidden seam, first, but with this kind of leather it was not technically feasible so I did a cross stitch instead. I punched more holes, trimmed the sides, and put it on. The stitching took a very long time. I am not sure whether or not I like it, at this point, but given the amount of time spent, I am definitely keeping it for a while 😂

 

[FarmerJon]

I think it looks quite good. Matches the interior nicely, and appears well done. 

 

How does it feel while driving? Does it move around much when low speed steering?

[Doug&Deb]

Nice work! It compliments your interior.

[Ivan_B]

Thank you for the feedback 😃

25 minutes ago, FarmerJon said:

Does it move around much when low speed steering?

Absolutely not. It is a very tight fit, the strip was cut leaving a good 1/4" gap, when hugging the wheel, so that it could be stretched conforming to the exact surface shape. It feels basically like a regular leather steering wheel.

[RobertKB]

That looks great! Good job!

[Mezz]

Very nice, that looks really great!  Looks really tight too, did you have to do anything special to stretch it out so it would fit?

[Ivan_B]

I did not. The leather itself, though, was soft and flexible. And it stretches when you fit the strip over the wheel, too, because your edges on the inside should have smaller circumference than the center of the strip on the outside, in order to avoid having folds/wrinkles at the seam. I inspected it, before stitching, to estimate how much I should trim from the sides. I stitched it loose at first, then carefully gave it more tension to see how it fits, and it stretched just fine like a baseball skin.

I bet they do not use the same leather for shoes... This actually goes along with my original comment regarding having no idea where to get the right kind of leather to do the proper job from scratch.

[andyd]

That looks very nice, a credit to your stiching skill......I'd be happy to have it.........andyd

[Young Ed]

Awesome looking wheel cover. I was thinking of doing that to my 64 but for the opposite reason. My wheel sucks and I want to pretty it up. 

[Ivan_B]

You probably the same/similar wheel diameter and thickness as I do (sorry, I did not save my specs, and they are covered so no longer good for reference). If so, you can order the same cover strip, and punch more holes (in between, and then cut ~2/16" from each edge to make it fit right. Or use the OEM holes, but you will have an unusual wide seam

[Sam Buchanan]

A source for a leather wheel cover that I used for the TR6 is Wheelskins. It is custom cut for a particular wheel and I was impressed with the quality and fit. It has been in service for three years and looks as good as new.

 

Wheelskins

 

It appears they can make about any size cover, just need to supply the dimensions of the wheel. The TR6 wasn't listed in their stock but the cover they made per my measurements fit perfectly.

 

 

Edited March 21 by Sam Buchanan

[Ivan_B]

How thick is the leather? I am seeing that they use a hidden seam at the strip junction (the way I wanted to go for the entire seam but could not for the leather being too think) and it is bulging out on some of the illustrations on their web side. Yours seems alright, though.

[Sam Buchanan]

1 hour ago, Ivan_B said:

How thick is the leather? I am seeing that they use a hidden seam at the strip junction (the way I wanted to go for the entire seam but could not for the leather being too think) and it is bulging out on some of the illustrations on their web side. Yours seems alright, though.

 

The leather is thin and very high quality, much like a fine pair of driving gloves.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtLlReasVwo

Edited March 21 by Sam Buchanan

[Ivan_B]

Watched the video. Technically, when you are replacing the leather on the leather wheel, the proper way to do this is to take the old one off and use it as your cutting pattern 😅

[Sam Buchanan]

Ok...................

[Los_Control]

Thanks for the tip, I just ordered the black leather for my truck .... I will need to spend hours repairing and painting it .... I will never get it perfect. Too many little ribs in it.

Solid and looking ok is good enough for me, then I planned to cover it with a cover of some sort.

[Ivan_B]

1 hour ago, Los_Control said:

Too many little ribs in it.

Are you still talking about the steering wheel? Do you have a picture?

[Los_Control]

Its hard to see in this photo, but there are approximately 10352 small lines embossed into the wheel .... not even going to try to duplicate them.

And the wheel is in poor condition. A quart of goop will fix it along with a lot of sanding. .... keeping my eyes open for a better wheel to replace it.

 

Make it solid, paint it, wrap it in leather.

 

 

 

[Ivan_B]

1 hour ago, Los_Control said:

keeping my eyes open for a better wheel to replace it.

Here you go: https://springfield.craigslist.org/pts/d/springfield-1950-dodge-truck-steering/7715887773.html

[OnlyMopar]

Looks great, looks comfortable, great job,thanks for sharing.

[Los_Control]

21 hours ago, Ivan_B said:

Here you go

That would be perfect if it was local ..... dealing with people on social media is a challenge.

.

There are a few local sellers advertising parts for these old rigs, they think they are worth a fortune and rely on them for proper retirement.

 

Recently I was talking with a guy about buying a steel wheel off of a 1967 Dodge truck .... Ebay wants $80 + shipping for the wheel.

 

So the guy tells me he will sell it for $75. .... I'm kinda ok with this, I want to set a time to pick it up .... then he tells me I have to go out to the field and remove it.

So I spend $30 in gas to go pick it up, then remove it, it has a junk tire on it I will have to pay for removal & disposal .... Really is just cheaper if I went to Ebay and have one sent to me with no tire on it.

 

People just do not understand, that there product sitting out in the field is not worth the same price as a Ebay seller that ships it to your door.

 

Same seller that has the wheel also has some 40's-50's Dodges they are parting out ..... I feel like if I showed up and talked to them in person, possibly purchase a few other items at the same time ..... I could get a fair deal and make a friend.

 

Today I talked to a guy, who has 12 wheels for sale. They are 15" 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern and asking $25 each .... only 2 of them are Dodge wheels with the 3 nubs for hub caps.

He wants $25 each and his brother from 2 hours away is going my direction Sunday and will deliver them .....  I have offered to pay their gas for delivery

 

 

Just saying I have dealt with some people on social media and they are just a joke. I agree to their price, I will come pick it up .... they wont share address will deliver .... then never hear from them again ..... Drugs are bad. ..... I'm not dealing with a stranger on craigslist 2000k miles away.

 

$50 for a good wheel is awesome .... if they are willing to separate the wheel and ship it alone .... I have no desire to pay shipping for a column, steering box I have no use for.