Custom Steering Wheels

[thais0n]

I am setting up a group buy with a custom steering wheel maker for our trucks – his name is Bob Mansmith. I originally found him through one of his eBay auctions and gave it a try. He requires a $50.00 deposit – which will allow him to start the work. The process takes approximately 2-4 weeks. Once he is done, he will send you a picture of your new wheel and you send him the balance (see pricing info below). Once you have installed your new wheel, send your old one back to him and he will refund the appropriate core charge. If the wheel has no core charge he will supply a return shipping label at no charge and asks that you please return the old one to him. That helps him to keep the price down (if he doesn’t have to go buy cores).

Bob stocks steering wheels or has cores for the following trucks (core deposit prices are shown as well):

• 97-03 (including 04 Heritage) F150 - $0
• 00-04 F150 Lightning - $65
• 2004+ F150 - $85
• 94-99 Explorer - $65
• 02-04 Explorer - $50
• 01-03 Explorer Sport Trac - $65
• 02-03 Explorer Sport - $65
• 99-04 Super Duty - $0
• 2005+ Super Duty- $50
• 2008 Super Duty - $125
• 99-04 Excursion (except Limited with extra controls) - $0
• 2003+ Excursion Limited (with extra controls) - $50
• 97-02 Expeditions - $0
• 03-05 Expedition - $50
• 97-03 Econoline Van - $0
• 94-99 Bronco - $65

Note: if the core charge on your steering wheel is greater than your initial $50 deposit, you will be expected to pay the difference when your wheel is finished. (Example - you put down $50, but the core charge on your wheel is $85, the extra $35 will be added to the final price of the wheel. But once you return your core, the $85 will be refunded)

He has stock on several of these wheels in the following finishes:

• Walnut
• Burlwood
• Carbon Fiber

He carries the following leather colors:

• Tan (light and dark)
• Grey (light and dark)
• Black
• King Ranch

He also special builds steering wheels in any color (as long as he has a core in stock). For example, my steering wheel for my 04 F150 was custom. Instead of wood or carbon fiber, I got silver metallic to match my painted dash trim (all he needed from me was my leather color and the paint code). Lead time for custom builds is 2-4 weeks.

Here is the price breakdown (all prices listed below are in addition to the REFUNDABLE core charge – core must be in good condition – meaning it is not bent):

0-8 Buyers - $180
9-15 Buyers - $175
16-25 Buyers - $170
26+ Buyers - $165

All prices are plus shipping to the 48 continuous states only. Shipping averages about $10.00 to $15.00. He will quote each wheel separately.
Buyers will also be responsible for return shipping fees on the cores (except as noted earlier).

The information needed is:
1. Year, Model, and Trim Package of your truck
2. Leather Color
3. Finish type (carbon fiber, burlwood, walnut, custom color, etc.)

Bob can also do any steering wheel for any car, truck, van, SUV, boat, tractor – as long as you supply the core first.

Please email all of this info to Robert Mansmith [rjmansmith@myrural.com]. He will confirm exactly what you want, and arrange for payment.

As Bob receives deposits, he will keep me informed of the number he has received. As we advance through the pricing levels, I will post where we stand. Once Bob is finished with the first set of wheels (2-3 weeks), we will close the group buy. At this point we will determine the total number and the final pricing. Then Bob will begin sending out invoices for the remaining balances due (the invoices will show your intial $50 deposit, the balance due, any additional amount needed for the core charge, and shipping).

Here is a picture of my steering wheel:


I have also included various other pics of wheels that Bob has done.
http://www.f150online.com/galleries/....cfm?num=13966

Here are the instructions for removing your steering wheel (this is for an 04+), but the concept is pretty much the same for all models - instructions with pics start on post #24:
How To Install a New Steering Wheel?

I will post some more pics of my wheels (closeups and installed pics in the coming days).

[thais0n]

A quick pic of my wheel installed:

[thais0n]

Here are some more pics of my wheel:

Fresh out of the box:


Closeup of the finish:


Closeup of the seam between the leather and the painted trim:

[sysman_rick]

Does his KR leather wear better than the OEM KR ? I'm thoroughly disgusted with the appearance after 2 years of conditioning & wear.

[thais0n]

To be honest, I don't know about the quality of his KR leather. You are more than welcome to contact him directly, he is good about responding to emails pretty quickly.

[sysman_rick]

I did,he does not have any feedback from customers about KR leather. I wonder if Rockpick has had this done yet. You might want to post this on the KR forum.

[thais0n]

I can't advertise this group buy in other forums - its considered cross posting.

[Rockpick]

Originally Posted by thais0n

To be honest, I don't know about the quality of his KR leather. You are more than welcome to contact him directly, he is good about responding to emails pretty quickly.

I haven't even taken any steps towards following up. Honestly, I had forgotten about it until I just saw this thread.

I think it'd look good in my truck but, I can't decide if I want to do it...

[hawkfxr724]

I have an 02 F-150 Supercrew. I see beside my year there's a $0. I guess that means that there's no core return for mine?

I'd like to get in on this, let me know.
Thanks

[thais0n]

hawk - you are right, those wheels are in abundance, so no core charge is required for your year.

[whitecrystal1]

I'm debating on buying one. I hate the oem the leather on my wheel. It's all sticky again I never had this issue on my 02 or any other vehicle I have or owned.

My concern is how well it'll match up(wood and leather). When I searched online I found this one it's calling the wood Cherry Zembrano and the leather is Med. Pebble. They say it matches perfect, but the price is a lot higher. I would rather spend more knowing it's exactly the same, unless his is.

Will it be an exact match for my 2005 Lariat?

From your pictures it looks like the leather is a little wrinkled on the right side. How does it look in person?

Originally Posted by thais0n

Here are some more pics of my wheel:

Fresh out of the box:


Closeup of the seam between the leather and the painted trim:

[thais0n]

The leather is a perfect match...and that wrinkle on the right isnt bad at all - i dont even notice it, and I consider myself pretty picky about little things like that. I love it, and I am pretty shocked there hasn't been a greater response here.

[whitecrystal1]

How about the wood? How well will it match the wood dash in a 05 Lariat?

[jblk74]

who is the guy on ebay and can he get the titanium burlwood?

[Lumadar]

Is that silver paint on your dash bezel factory, or did you do that?