Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2003 23:16:45 -0400
Reply-To: EMZ <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: EMZ <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Subject: Re: steering wheel covers was: CB mounting
In-Reply-To: <002101c34f2f$51936fe0$d395aec7@D1DY3621>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Joel,
In PA, steering wheel covers are illegal!
Eric 86-VW4x4
vw4x4@fyi.net 86-SS Syncro
Pittsburgh, PA USA 1936-Chrysler
92-Jetta GWC
www.fyi.net/~vw4x4/vw4x4.htm
On Sun, 20 Jul 2003, Joel Walker wrote:
> > 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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