So nice old Scion decided to be funny and changed the design of the steering wheel for the '08 xB and xD while keeping the tC same as '06-07.

I would've never cared if not for the fact that I dislike the rubber stuff they put on the xB and xD, so I got a leather wheel off a tC, took the xD apart and realized that audio controls won't fit. Turns out that even the audio control module harness is different in the '08.

I guess they have to make up for the "pure price" somehow.

So now the only way for me to get leather steering wheel on the xD is to pay $200+ and "enjoy" the silver inserts instead of just getting a $30 steering wheel off a tC on eBay.

Bad, bad Scion. Sit.

 

wanna sell the TC wheel?

 

I've already installed it on my girlfriend's '06 xA. She'd be happy when she finds out

Still have audio controls, cruise control switch, bottom plastic trim with a hole for cruise control.

 

Um, well, Toyota's using a new set of switchgear for the steering wheel controls. I'm not so surprised that the tC's wheel doesn't work with the xB or xD. I'd be surprised if it did work.

 

You looking for a wheel with or without the radio controls?

 

^^^ I;m not surprised it won't fit. Daihatsu parts dude.

 

$230 later:

 

We got the same wheel, but now it's like $279

.....THEN the greedy bastages want another hundred bucks to install it

With that installed it about screams for a silver shift ****....luckily those ARE easy to find cheap on fleaBay.....

 

I bought mine from TRDSparks.com and installed it myself, thus the $230.

I might play with the shift ***** at some point, but they have to be rubber or leather - I can't have metal in ATL - that's a 3rd degree palm burn waiting to happen.

 

Agreed - even here in the midwest (StL), it gets brutal in summer. I've got a little round spun metal shift **** in a Miata, and if it sits top down in the sun for awhile, OUCH

 

i got the upgraded wheel also.. the other one was POOP.

 

Question, how would you install the leather steering wheel if you did buy it? I've been thinking about getting it because the stock wheel is a bit too rough for my "delicate" hands.

Hard? Easy? Easy if you know wtf you're doing? Haha.

 

The wheel comes with the install manual - I actually looked through it before I began

All in all takes about 10 minutes.

Step 1. Disconnect battery, wait 5-10 minutes (very important - you don't want to catch an airbag in your face when you are bent over the steering wheel).

Step 2. With a torx screwdriver (forgot the number) undo 2 bolts on the sides of the steering wheel (you can see the holes a tad further than cruise control). This will let you take out the airbag.

Step 3. With a 14mm socket (I think it's 14 - don't remember, again). Undo the nut that holds the steering wheel (you can't miss it - it's in the middle).

Step 4. Undo the connectors that are hooked up to cruise control and steering wheel controls, take out the steering wheel, move all of the plastic pieces and controls on the new steering wheel.

Step 5. Put everything back the way it was

Step 6. Reconnect the battery.

Step 7. Curse yourself out for not marking the center position of the steering wheel before taking everything apart, and start again from step one because you put the steering wheel one click further than center

 

Oo actual instructions? What did you do with old one? Chuck it or try and sell it? Don't know who would want to buy it though hehe.

I just might try this in my xD. Big improvement over the stock wheel right? Wonder if ebay has any colors other than silver...

 

You can probably get a "skin" for the stock wheel instead of buying entire wheel from the dealer for $230... With the skins you should be able to chose color and it might be less involved technically to install (it's more along the lines of working with a gigantic shoelace).