Heated Steering wheel upgrade

Out of curiosity has anyone upgraded their steering wheel to a heated one? Can it be done?

 

Have you tried these cheap steering wheel covers from Amazon?

 

I was thinking about this a few weeks ago. There are other Toyota/Lexus models that come from the factory with heated steering wheels but I have not seen the option for the 4Runners. I am familiar with swapping to aftermarket steering wheels on Lexus and I have even seen the the heater module incorporated (essentially two heating pads at the 9 and 3 grips... not all the way around). I'm sure the same creators of the Lexus aftermarket wheels with heaters can create a heated version of the 4Runner wheel but the problem may be the clock spring... You will need another wire for the heating elements but I'm not sure on the cross compatibility of the clock spring that includes those wires. I'm subscribed to this thread now in hopes someone gives it a try.

 

It looks like the Highlander had some years with the heated steering wheel. Maybe....

 

This is the one thing I miss from my BMW...and the one thing I never dreamed I would care about. I'd take heated steering wheel over the heated seats if I could.

 

Gloves?

 

I just turned my AC on...

 

I've been thinking about this for awhile. It might be possible using a mix of Toyota parts from other models, and aftermarket parts. Here's what I've found so far:

Steering Wheel Heater Switch:
We could use the switch from a Sienna or Land Cruiser. I found a couple google images that appear to be the same size as the switch blanks on the lefthand dash console.

Steering Wheel:
All Toyotas use the same spindle on the steering column, so any heated steering wheel could work. We would just have to work through connecting the steering wheel controls to the new layout.

I also found a site that make aftermarket steering wheels in the same shape as the OEM 4Runner, and the bottom of the website states that they can add heating elements. This means we could keep an OEM layout, and just have to account for the heating element wiring. Here is the website for the steering wheel: https://www.vividracing.com/toyota-...ed-customized-steering-wheel-p-152408188.html

The only other hurdles I see to making this work would be the wiring. I know that the switch itself would need to be powered, and we would need a clock spring that could support as well, but I'm not too smart on the wiring side of this.

Anyone else got some input on how to move this forward?

 

Somewhat further progress. I found this forum post on the heated steering wheel wiring.

https://www.siennachat.com/attachments/heated-wheel-jpg.41225/

I need to dig into the stock clockspring in the 5th Gen 4Runner. Does anybody know if there are unused slots? Or does anyone have a clock spring wiring diagram?

 

I know that my wife’s Armada uses a slot on the dash for the heated steering wheel button.

 

one more for heated steering wheel very interested the other thing that would be great seat position memory

 

I use my heated motorcycle gloves when I drive my old FJ 40.

 

We have a couple of empty switch slots (switch blanks) on the left-hand side of the dash, next to the steering wheel. I was more wondering if anyone has looked at the Clock Spring / Steering Wheel Wiring Harness to see if there were unused connection slots. The unused slots could be used to transmit the power for the heated steering wheel, without sacrificing one of the steering wheel control options.

 

Here is another good rundown on installing heated steering:

https://www.enclaveforum.net/thread...ing-wheel-in-a-2008-2014-buick-enclave.26327/

It shows him installing it into a base model, with donor parts from a premium model of the same year and model, which makes it a bit easier. But this also shows how to ensure the wheel heater only works when the ignition is on.

 

There is only two more things I'd need before I could attempt this:

1) Wiring Diagram for the Clock Spring / Picture of empty slots.

2) An understanding of the voltage/amp limitations of the clock spring wires. (even is there are empty slots, can they support powering the heating element?)

Is anyone smart on wiring in the clock spring?

 

Best source for figuring out wiring is here: https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInf...nfpb=true&_pageLabel=ti_home_what_is_tis_page

If I remember right it costs $20 for 2 days of access. But it will give you access to full wiring diagrams and specs which you can download what you need. It is far to vast to download the whole thing so not really an option to find someone who has it all downloaded. This will answer the clock spring wiring questions. My bet is that the clock spring won't support it.

 

Well there's this option. That battery pack though!
https://www.hammacher.com/product/w...&trigger=ac&query=heated steering wheel cover

 

I wonder if you can take one off a Lexus GX?

 

Heated hand is way more important than heated butt. Why they don't have it?
I got frostbite when driving at -30c/-22f (I didn't notice until I got home), but my butt has no problem at all without heating.

 

I'm happy my Limited has seat memory, but I miss the memory for the side mirrors AND the heated steering wheel I had in my BMW. Like SCMountaineer said, it's something I never thought I'd want -- until I had it lol.

I do wish too that I could activate seat memory while in Drive. Every other car I've driven with memory would allow that. Toyota nannies say No, You Must Be in Park! LOL

 

Wear heated gloves.

Upgraded Heated Gloves for Men Women,Electric Ski Motorcycle Snow Mitt...

$129 Upgraded Heated Gloves Men Women,Ski Motorcycle Electric Battery Mittens Gloves (S)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H626Q7X/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_fabc_6JY96QMN1GRY6PRFPWE5

 

I did not even know such a thing existed.

 

Hi, did you manage to retrofit such a heated steering wheel to your car? thank you