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Date:         Sun, 20 Jul 2003 21:25:13 -0500
Reply-To:     Joel Walker <jwalker17@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joel Walker <jwalker17@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: steering wheel covers was: CB mounting
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> Here is the link for my radio location - > lower res - http://taring.org/westy/DCP_0566-2.jpg

i've noticed a lot of folks who don't have steering wheel covers on their buses ... i'd like to take this opportunity ;) to suggest/recommend/encourage the use of a good leather steering wheel cover on your vanagon. makes the wheel easier to hold (thicker) and more comfy (not as sticky in hot sweaty weather, and not as numbing cold in winter).

i like the Wheelskins covers ... they are good quality leather and easy to install. http://www.wheelskins.com/ lots of colors and styles to choose from.

here's the place i get mine (multiple buses, don't ya know) ... http://www.autotoystore.com/

if you have the power steering, the size you need is the BX (part number WS10301X), fits 16" to 17" outside diameter, 3-1/4" to 3-1/2" grip (circumference of the outer rim of the wheel).

now, a little tool is needed to make your installation a bit easier ... you can find one or make it yourself out of an old metal coat hanger. it's a tool shaped like the letter J ... the bottom is a little hook; needs to be pointed, but not so sharpe that you'll hurt yourself. ;) the top is a T-handle ... make it comfortable for your hand: you're gonna be pulling on this thing a lot.

as you lace the steering wheel cover with the needle and thread (supplied with the cover), it's a good idea to go about a foot or so, then go back and tighten up the lacing. that's where the J-tool comes in: you hook the tool under each loop/stitch and pull tight. not too tight, but enough to take up any slack and get the edges of the cover closer together. then move to the next loop/stitch and so on. then you lace/stitch another foot or so, and do it again, all the way back from the beginning. by the time you get back to the beginning, it's beginning to look nice. :)

after you've finished, it'll look a bit rough ... the inner edges (that are sewn/laced together) are kinda puffy and don't look so good. as you drive and use it and the leather stretches a bit, it smooths out. after about a month, it looks really nice. :)

want an even better trick? put TWO of the covers on there. :) makes a really nice thick steering wheel, like some of the sports cars. but you can save a bit of money by buying an el cheapo cover at wal-mart to sew on as the inner/first cover. then put the good quality Wheelskins on top of that. one thing: do NOT get the spiral-weave covers that wal-mart sells ... you'll be able to see that spiral-weave stuff through the Wheelskins. :( and choose a different starting point (for the seam) for each cover ...otherwise, you'll have this really ugly bump/lump in one place on the cover. :( i discovered the niceties of the two-cover trick when i had a very old cover get kinda scratched up and rather than take it off, i tried putting a new one over the old one. it worked! :) and i really liked the thick feel of it ...makes it much easier to grasp and hold onto.

have fun! unca joel


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