Steering Wheel Leather

[David Schuster]

I traded my '09 Escape for my Ranger. Over time, the leather on the top of that wheel began to dry out and eventually flaked away. Anyone recommend/use a conditioner to prevent this on the Ranger? Some of the conditioners I've seen seem to leave a somewhat oily feel and are a bit slick.

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[AzScorpion]

I traded my '09 Escape for my Ranger. Over time, the leather on the top of that wheel began to dry out and eventually flaked away. Anyone recommend/use a conditioner to prevent this on the Ranger? Some of the conditioners I've seen seem to leave a somewhat oily feel and are a bit slick.

303 Aerospace Protectant,high UV protection and non greasy. I just did a write up in the link below.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/wax-paint-protection.2777/page-6#post-73312

 

[Sandman Ranger]

70% uv tint on windshield.

Is XLT even leather?
Does not feel like it.

 

[RedlandRanger]

303 Aerospace Protectant,high UV protection and non greasy. I just did a write up in the link below.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/wax-paint-protection.2777/page-6#post-73312

+1 for the 303 Protectant. I'd never heard of it before it was posted here - I bought a bottle and I love it. As stated, it does a great job of protecting without being greasy.or putting a high shine on things (like the dash).

 

[jhndeergrn]

The lariat trim steering wheel isn’t leather either, so the 303 would be preferred.

 

[David Schuster]

70% uv tint on windshield.

Is XLT even leather?
Does not feel like it.

The brochure shows XLT EG 301(&302) as leather wrapped (?)

Thanks for the 303 suggestion. I actually have some I use on the vinyl top of my old car. Didn't even register to try that

 

[David Schuster]

The lariat trim steering wheel isn’t leather either, so the 303 would be preferred.

??

 

[P. A. Schilke]

??

Yep...that is exactly what I understood. It is leather. No NOGA Hides on the steering wheel... Got involved one the 4G with Mazda on their want to stop the leather wrapped steering wheel but to make the seats leather. Lear was doing the interior. What a mess. In the end we kept the steering wheel leather wrapped and made the seats leather for them...Looked like crap as seats must be re-contoured for leather. I stood firm on Ranger and would not allow Ranger interiors to degrade.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[jhndeergrn]

Interesting. Mine doesn’t feel like leather. I was actually wondering if a shop could re-wrap it because it feels like cheap vinyl.

 

[pa-fatboy]

I was wondering the same. The steering wheel doesn’t feel like leather to me. I guess it is!

The 2016 mustang GT comes with same steering wheel leather rap as the Ranger. I upgraded the Mustang pretty quickly to a Shelby GT 350 steering wheel that is a DIY install. That steering wheel is rapped with alcantara.

After 3 years, it’s held up well. I was wishing the Raptor Ranger models had an alcantara steering wheel we could purchase. The alcantara doesn’t feel warm or cold when you first get in to drive.

 

[Toytec]

To you higher mileage guys, how's the "material" holding up on the upgrade steering wheels?

 

[Sandman Ranger]

Guess they need to cut the leather closer to the cow. GTI wheel has leather feel. Ranger, not so much.

Either, way they use coated leather so 303 works.

 

[AzScorpion]

To you higher mileage guys, how's the "material" holding up on the upgrade steering wheels?

You'll have to ask @Msfitoy I think he has the most miles on his. Actually I think he sleeps in it!

 

[PNW_Ranger87]

70% uv tint on windshield.
Is XLT even leather?
Does not feel like it.

My XLT is vinyl and I hate it. The wheel mold seam around the outside of the wheel still has a bit of material left over from when it was cast. I know with my Focus I was able to upgrade to the leather ST wheel without any issues. I'll probably be looking into that for the Ranger as well.

 

[4rd SVT]

Can someone post the Ford Part# for the OEM leather steering wheel?

I was wanting to do a simple swap from the plastic/vinyl wheel to the leather-wrapped wheel too!

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