Flat Bottom Steering Wheel DIY

I've amassed quite a collection of Supra and is300 steering wheels over time. I've had one in my truck for quite a while, but the fanciest part of it was a fresh leather wrap. Some time after becoming accustomed to steering wheel buttons, I started to want this in the truck. Since the is300 steering wheels have buttons, I figured I could modify those buttons (intended for the e-shift transmission) to work as radio controls. While I was at it, why not find a way to make it into a flat bottom wheel? I further postulated that it might be possible to use the connectors for the cruise control in order to have a steering wheel mounted push start button. Of course, why go this far and not throw in some carbon fiber?
So, that is how I went down the rabbit hole of building a fully custom steering wheel for the truck. Here's hoping it all works lol. Follow along and find out for yourself!
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond my control, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. I assume no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. I recommend safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond my control, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not myself.
Steering wheels are safety critical components of a motor vehicle and manufacturers spend millions of dollars on their design, safety/performance testing, and manufacture. Even changing the leather on one alters it from its as tested/as validated configuration and means that it may not perform as intended in regular use or an automobile accident. If you undertake modifying one, you do so at your own risk!

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

These are the crazy mods I love to see. Small, inconspicuous, but totally badass!

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Thank you Thomas!

[@MrTTqUaTtRo]

Dude… you’re quite crafty. Interesting work. Hats off to you for not being scared. I see that you uploaded “part 2”. Can’t wait to see the end result.

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Thank you! Check out part three here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGOWd3eNhr2pgLs I am also working on part 4 as we speak, I think you will love the result!

[@user-lw8jk6nv7l]

So after a few weeks, do you still recommend the kwickwood putty for modification? Just found out that you can buy the led shift light that all the fancy companies use, and I wanna try and install one on a wheel for my car

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Yup, the kwikwood has been great, it is as much a part of the steering wheel as the spokes at this point. It was a perfect substrate for the carbon fiber. I plan to do one of those led rev limiters on the next build. You can probably shape the hole for it with a dremel.

[@petikovacs7099]

Hello! what material did you use for the bottom of the steering wheel after you cut the original material?

[@doitwithproperstyle]

@@petikovacs7099 I used an epoxy putty called JB kwilwood

[@petikovacs7099]

@@doitwithproperstylethank you very much

[@garydeandeery]

I’ve made loads I cut the bottom out then fit plastic power conduit in place get some wood with a threaded bolt so you can push into the hole to hold everything I’ve then covered in carbon or chopped carbon

[@doitwithproperstyle]

@@garydeandeery thank you! So many random people on here have been big mad about me showing this stuff, as if it's some crazy secret. I'm glad to hear from other people doing the same thing.

[@kirkmbruni8522]

Am I understanding this process correctly? Great idea about the 3d printed sander. First, you're shaping the Flat-bottom part of the steering wheel by putting the "JB Kwikwood" imperfectly on the steering wheel. Then, you're sealing the imperfectly shaped "JB Kwikwood" epoxy putty...with the "JB WaterWeld?" Once you seal the Kwiwood with the "JB WaterWeld" and the JB dries, you're then sanding the imperfections to make the wheel smooth and symmetrical? Thanks, Kirk B.

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You got it pretty much. The one change I made was to eliminate the waterweld. It just adds work and the kwikweld is actually enough on its own.

[@Byron_Guzman]

this is what i was looking for a long time ago, next part please

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Fo sho! I'll have some other truck updates this week, but a new steering video should be up next week.

[@Byron_Guzman]

@@doitwithproperstyle good job buddy

[@doitwithproperstyle]

The second video is up now. Check it out at kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXWok4iOncmsqq8

[@JamesEhler]

When I mix epoxy like that stuff with my hands,I'll pinch it together like you were and then roll it between my hands like when you would "make a snake" with clay when a kid and them pinch it back together and repeat, quickest way to effectively mix it together I think. I also will spray some water on my hands as it makes it easier to work with and results in a smoother finish. Best applied to a dry surface though, I found that out the hard way. Haha. But epoxy will heat up like you experienced and water on hands when mixing will mitigate any sticking to your gloves/hands. Just my experience. Thanks for the video.

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Thank you for the advice James! I will definitely do that next time, that sticking was the worst 😂

[@luisbondbom]

Your work is awesome!!, can you help me? How i can made a fiberglass headligth for my race car and a wing?

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Sure! The wing can be made using a foam block and a hot wire cutter. From there, you wrap it in fiberglass or carbon fiber. There are many details to getting it right, but I might make one in the future and show the process. A headlight is much more involved due to the shapes. What is required will vary depending on what you're after, but I can help you figure that out as well.

[@hondadna93]

Genuine question, why not 3d print parts to make the rounded bottom?

[@doitwithproperstyle]

That's a fantastic idea! I've actually been thinking of 3D scanning the final wheel, perfecting the scan in cad, and then 3D printing some molds to make this way easier to repeat.

[@jayr_335i]

How many pack of jb weld kwickwood you use for one steering wheel generally ?

[@doitwithproperstyle]

I feel like each of these ate 4-5 packs. It turns out that they sell this stuff in a tub. For the next time, I'm just going to buy a tub as it will be more cost effective for my purposes.

[@alfonsoramirez6415]

Dude how did you make or buy those sanding block??

[@doitwithproperstyle]

It's kind of a long explanation. Basically, I used a contour gauge to capture the curvature of the wheel and then transferred that to paper. From there, I scanned that in to my computer and designed the blocks in CAD. Finally, I made them on my 3D printer.

[@alfonsoramirez6415]

@@doitwithproperstyle i imagined you 3d printed that mold. Thanks

[@xdronhunter]

what type of material is that???

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Do you mean the putty I applied at the bottom? It is a two part epoxy putty from JB Weld called Kwikwood. It dries rock solid but is not brittle.

[@m.j2725]

Hello, what is the name of the material used?

[@doitwithproperstyle]

The material is quikwood from JB weld

[@ryanherr4969]

If anyone repeats this- I’d suggest his making a mold idea- but just use pvc with the same inner diameter as your steeringwheel

[@jaysworkshop8870]

Shouldn’t you remove the leather first, so to have a better adhesion area?

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Yes, most definitely. You don't want to add carbon over the old leather. If you fast forward, you will see that the leather is removed.

[@nainetcamarera1627]

What materials are you using bro?

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Hello Nainet. I used an epoxy putty called JB Kwikweld, heavy carbon fiber cloth, and a two part epoxy resin from Rockstar Resins.

[@Steelhorse-enthusiast]

Are the steering wheels solid or are they the tuff rubber/foam stuff

[@doitwithproperstyle]

They are that tough rubber/foam over a metal core (which I left intact). The sections with carbon are now rock solid though.

[@Steelhorse-enthusiast]

@@doitwithproperstyle thanks these videos inspired me to give it ago was Alittle worried that maybe overtime it may fail due to the material underneath not being as tough

[@7djtriples]

@@Steelhorse-enthusiast he can add some armor in the rubber to hold the mold

[@RXTEAM]

Excellent work. Upload part 2 please

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Thank you. It is coming soon, I have just been mildly delayed due to other pressing projects.

[@doitwithproperstyle]

The second video is up now. Check it out at kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXWok4iOncmsqq8

[@Schwarzzeneger]

What did you use to build the bottom part?

[@doitwithproperstyle]

I used JB Kwikwood. It's a 2 part epoxy clay.

[@JamesEhler]

Had you watched the video you would have seen him explain at length what he uses. Instead of not watching and just asking and waiting for an answer.

[@miloradmedunic6202]

Oh wow! Lets cut the frame and hot glue it!?

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Watch the rest of the series and see how it came out before you go off on some nonsense.

[@steeringmodifyhellomiddlee6726]

Nice

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Thank you!

[@steeringmodifyhellomiddlee6726]

Brother where you from?

[@AbzRaz]

Part 2 please

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Coming soon!

[@doitwithproperstyle]

The second video is up now. Check it out at kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXWok4iOncmsqq8

[@alekseiromanov6264]

Работать болгарской чтоб диск врашался в другую сторону(на себя), а ни так как работает у вас. Эо неправильно и чревато опасно Да буетвам счастье

[@alekseiromanov6264]

Но почему большенство народу неправильно работают болгаркой