Toyota steering wheel swap

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SynthDesign
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Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by SynthDesign »

My 83 T4WD has seen better days. To make if feel a little sportier I decided to install a different steering wheel. BTW I beleive all Toyotas use the same diameter/spline for steering wheels. After eye-balling the dish I found an 88 MR2 wheel that looked pretty close.

Only few tools and washers required. A Philips screw driver and 18mm socket wrench.
One screw on the back of the wheel is all that secures the front horn cover.
step1.jpg
The horn cover slides up and then off.(held on by 2 vertical clips). Un-plug the horn wire.
no horn.JPG
Remove the 18mm nut, grab a firm hold of the wheel and yank away from the steering column. The wheel should pop off, or use the appropriate puller tool.

I had to space the MR2 horn ring back since my brass contact is very worn, 3 washers per screw.
mr2 spaced.jpg
Here's a pic comparing dish. the diameter is very close too.
wheel dish.jpg
Throw the new wheel and torque it down. Plug in the horn to check if it works. Snap the horn button in and screw in the back screw and your done.

It honestly took me linger to take pics than install, even with getting the horn to work.

In my opinion the best and quickest driving comfort upgrade I've done recently. I can't beleive it took me so log to do.

Here's a before and after.
org wheel.jpg
mr inst.jpg
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ARCHINSTL
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Re: Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by ARCHINSTL »

Good How-To!
Although - I've sent your address to PETA... :(
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Petros
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Re: Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by Petros »

I have a similar MR2 steering wheel from an '87 I was considering installing on my '84 T4wd, good to know it fits. I think the earlier one is better looking (from the '83-86 MR2), more sporty and leather covered (and it does not have "MR2" embossed on it in big letters), but a good one that old is hard to find, the '87 that is what I have.

I am starting to hate the stock Tercel steering wheel, I put a leather cover over mine (which helps the appearance) but the ugly square blocky center pad is not very attractive IMO.

Good job.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
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SynthDesign
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My tercel:: The General, 85 SR5 w/ Sunroof,Olive Drab paint, Black Interior, custom steel bumpers, Barto BC lift, 1.67L BUILT 3AC w/ Weber Carb. 346,000 miles and counting since restoration
Location: Seattle WA
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Re: Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by SynthDesign »

The 85 to 86 has a little less dish, and still says MR2. The one I installed had a nasty brown stock leather cover. Nice black plastic underneith and a little bit slimmer feel now. I'm really dig'in it. Gotta leopard print the horn button now.

PETA....heh ehe he heh.. yes.. People Eating Tasty Animals
Vintage and Classic Toyota; Have you loved your Toyota today?
2016 Toyota Tacoma Quad Cab LB TRD OffRoad
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Re: Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by takza »

SynthDesign wrote:PETA....heh ehe he heh.. yes.. People Eating Tasty Animals
Soylent Green? Nuttin' better.....
Give a boy a gun-give a biatch a cell phone-and pretty soon you almost got yourself a police state.

Orwell said: War is peace! Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength...

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MR2Di4
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My tercel:: 1985 SR5 4WD Wagon
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Re: Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by MR2Di4 »

If you want the same kind of steering wheel without the MR2 lettering the Corolla FX16 steering wheel is the same style but with plain Toyota lettering and usually without the leather wrapping. I use a slightly bent one in my '88 Toy truck that I recovered many years ago, but it also worked fine in my old T4wd.

MR2Di4 8)
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Petros
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Re: Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by Petros »

one of the best toyota steering wheel is one off an '88 or newer corolla GTS, it just says "Toyota", and is all black leather, and unlike the Celica one (that is similar), it does not have the cruise control buttons on it. I love one one I put in my Tercel4wd.
North of 64
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Re: Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by North of 64 »

let's see a picture of yours Petros
deejay1272
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Re: Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by deejay1272 »

Petros wrote:one of the best toyota steering wheel is one off an '88 or newer corolla GTS, it just says "Toyota", and is all black leather, and unlike the Celica one (that is similar), it does not have the cruise control buttons on it. I love one one I put in my Tercel4wd.
I'd like to see a pic of this one, Petros.

(My steering wheel was apparently removed by the PO and currently sits about 20 degrees off from straight when the wheels point forward. I think it's time I did something about this)
speedgraphic
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My tercel:: 1986 Tercel 4WD Wagon, Manual

Re: Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by speedgraphic »

Ugh, there's an '86 MR2 in my local U Pull and Pay that's nearly 30 min away... and you're making me want to take the trip to see if the steering wheel is still there, let alone those sweet geometric wheels.

edit: Just grabbed the steering wheel from the '86 - it's a two spoke design that only says "Toyota". Like Synth, I found the decomposing leather was concealing a near-new plastic/rubber steering wheel. I'll post a pic once I have it installed.
speedgraphic
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Re: Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by speedgraphic »

Picture of the gorgeous little beast (click for big):

Image
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Petros
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Re: Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by Petros »

that is the same style that came in the '87 Tercel4wd (without the leather cover). An improvement over the earlier Tercel4wd style IMO, I do not care much for the standard steering wheel. Now all you need is a nice aftermarket leather cover for it. That will cost you more than the steering wheel.
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Petros
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Re: Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by Petros »

finally got a pic of my '88 Corolla GTS leather steering wheel. I pained the steering column cover black to match.
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eightyfive4WD
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Re: Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by eightyfive4WD »

Image
Image

I just added a steering wheel from a Denmark-market Tercel. Easy installation - I also spaced the horn ring with 3 washers per screw as described above.
1985 Toyota Tercel DLX 4WD 5 spd wagon (manual swapped, daily driver)
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Nordical25
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Re: Toyota steering wheel swap

Post by Nordical25 »

Nice one! These steering wheels are not that common anymore.
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