Hiya, anybody consider or have done any mods to the steering wheel? I'm thinking of removal of the top section so the dash could be seen. I would not do this to my wheel, but would like to get a cheap used one from a wrecker and hack that section off and see how it goes. If it works, then get it recovered. I've done the seat adjustment and I tilt the seat as far as it will go, still can't see what gear or top of tach.:frown2:
Steering wheel modification
smc4C
21 - 40 of 56 Posts
I actually bought the wheel from him, installed this past weekend and love it. Took about 5 minutes to get used to. Looks more extreme in the pics, I think it looks good in the car and it’s wonderful to actually see the entire gauge cluster. Not only could I not see the 12 o’clock position of the rev counter but anything displayed on the sides was also blocked (turn signal indicators, warning lights, etc).This is the only person with a cut wheel that I can think of...
https://www.4c-forums.com/17-classifieds/49650-2015-4c-coupe-sale.html
![Image]()
Anyways, for those who are thinking about cutting the wheel I’d say go for it. No regrets on my end.
Joined
·
138 Posts
How did you take the steering wheel off?
Taking the wheel off was actually pretty easy. I followed the directions on this thread (look at post #25):
https://www.4c-forums.com/504258-post25.html#/topics/20850?page=3
First time I’ve ever taken a wheel off, the hardest thing was getting the feel for releasing the airbag. After that was off it was simple to disconnect the few connections and take off the one large hex. I left the leads off the battery for at least 30 minutes and pulled the airbag fuse just to feel safe.
https://www.4c-forums.com/504258-post25.html#/topics/20850?page=3
First time I’ve ever taken a wheel off, the hardest thing was getting the feel for releasing the airbag. After that was off it was simple to disconnect the few connections and take off the one large hex. I left the leads off the battery for at least 30 minutes and pulled the airbag fuse just to feel safe.
Joined
·
4,300 Posts
I think you posted the wrong link to removing the steering wheel , can you please link the proper one ....thank you so much
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Joined
·
1,613 Posts
That link takes me to a specific post with detailed instructions and a couple pics of how to remove the steering wheel. Seems to be what he said it was.
Joined
·
1,613 Posts
Might be that Tapatalk. I’ve never been a fan.
This link should be to the main thread, then it is post #25: https://www.4c-forums.com/15-interior/20850-sport-steering-wheel-mopar.html
If that doesn’t work, the title is “sport steering wheel from Mopar”, and it is in the Interior sub-forum.
Joined
·
1,025 Posts
Guardian designs who did my Abarth wheel is now making 4c wheels. I guess they have a “swap” program where they make your wheel, ship it to you and you ship your old wheel back. Eliminates down time.
There work is OUTSTANDING. I’m seriously considering it since the wheel they made for my Abarth was the favourite part of the car.
There work is OUTSTANDING. I’m seriously considering it since the wheel they made for my Abarth was the favourite part of the car.
Joined
·
22,662 Posts
Let us know what you find out. I don’t dislike the 4C wheel, but am open to upgrades.
Joined
·
2,257 Posts
Yes sir I am interested!!! How can we order it? I'm not seeing it on your website (www.laptime.biz)
Joined
·
2,257 Posts
I found the link: https://www.laptime.biz/index.php/shop/product/view/1/14
For those of us in the US, can we get VAT excluded pricing? Or can you even ship outside of Germany?
Thanks!!
For those of us in the US, can we get VAT excluded pricing? Or can you even ship outside of Germany?
Thanks!!
Joined
·
1,025 Posts
Some new info from guardian designs.
FYI I had one on my Abarth 124 and they are just wicked quality.
For anyone that’s interested:
Hi Tom
We have been crafting wheels for many models for close to 5 years now and have hundreds of happy customers enjoying their sports and performance cars with our upgraded OEM+ steering wheels. We have a *lot* of photos of steering wheels we have crafted in many customer designs shown on our Instagram: www.instagram.com/guardiandesigns.shop
Check out another GD OEM+ Alfa Romeo wheel we recently crafted - for the Giulia sedan! We did this as complex as you can imagine to “show off” the level of detail we are happy working with. We are comfortable even working with heated steering wheels, to give you more idea of how good we are at this and how long we have been doing it. ? I am also attaching our GD OEM+ MINI steering wheel since this is a good example of a wheel that from factory had the same “split rim” design like the 4C has (and the Giulia has) but we eliminated this for a MUCH smoother and cleaner appearance and driving feel.
1. Location.
We are located in Europe! Specifically, our shop where we craft all our beautiful steering wheels and shift boots is in Poland. And we are also based in Canada, since that is where I am. ?
2. Pricing.
Regular pricing for our Alfa 4C “Classico" wheel in Black Nappa leather will be $449 USD (+ refundable core deposit of $949 USD). Alcantara and accent color leather/Alcantara will be $50 USD optional extras.
3. Design.
Our “Classico" model for the Alfa 4C means we strip down the (weird) factory wheel and correct the odd features that we talked about such as the rim profile changing at the bottom. And it will address the issues you cited
MATERIALS: Like all our GD wheels our Alfa 4C wheel will be re-trimmed in automotive-grade Nappa leather - either Perforated or Smooth leather or, of course, in genuine Alcantara. And we are happy to combine Perforated and Smooth leather (a typical design choice on many of our wheels is to use Perforated leather at the sides and Smooth at the top/bottom sections) and, of course, Alcantara.
STITCHWORK: We take pride in our work including clean and carefully done stitchwork since all our wheels are prepared in our own shop by Michal, our highly skilled and experienced leather craftsperson. We also have 3 stitch patterns to choose from.
THUMB RESTS: The stock 4C wheel has some really big thumb rests… for customers who find these excessive we can tone down the size of the thumb rests to be more subtle (and thus more comfortable), which we agree are excessive for most people on the stock wheel.
4. Core Deposit of $949 = "zero driving downtime".
The $949 “Core Deposit” (set to reflect cost of an Alfa 4C wheel and they are not cheap or easy to come by, even used!) is fully refundable when you return your old wheel to us. To explain what we mean by “zero driving downtime": First, we send you your new GD OEM+ Alfa 4C wheel crafted to your design choices and ready to install (and it is of course based on a factory Alfa wheel so installation is “plug and play”). And then when you have installed it you will send your old 4C wheel back to our shop (in the same packaging material you got your new GD OEM+ Alfa 4C wheel). When we receive your old wheel at the shop we refund in full your $949 Core Deposit. The idea is that then your old wheel will be ready for the next Alfa 4C client… who will send their old wheel in… and so on… ?
FYI I had one on my Abarth 124 and they are just wicked quality.
For anyone that’s interested:
Hi Tom
We have been crafting wheels for many models for close to 5 years now and have hundreds of happy customers enjoying their sports and performance cars with our upgraded OEM+ steering wheels. We have a *lot* of photos of steering wheels we have crafted in many customer designs shown on our Instagram: www.instagram.com/guardiandesigns.shop
Check out another GD OEM+ Alfa Romeo wheel we recently crafted - for the Giulia sedan! We did this as complex as you can imagine to “show off” the level of detail we are happy working with. We are comfortable even working with heated steering wheels, to give you more idea of how good we are at this and how long we have been doing it. ? I am also attaching our GD OEM+ MINI steering wheel since this is a good example of a wheel that from factory had the same “split rim” design like the 4C has (and the Giulia has) but we eliminated this for a MUCH smoother and cleaner appearance and driving feel.
1. Location.
We are located in Europe! Specifically, our shop where we craft all our beautiful steering wheels and shift boots is in Poland. And we are also based in Canada, since that is where I am. ?
2. Pricing.
Regular pricing for our Alfa 4C “Classico" wheel in Black Nappa leather will be $449 USD (+ refundable core deposit of $949 USD). Alcantara and accent color leather/Alcantara will be $50 USD optional extras.
3. Design.
Our “Classico" model for the Alfa 4C means we strip down the (weird) factory wheel and correct the odd features that we talked about such as the rim profile changing at the bottom. And it will address the issues you cited
MATERIALS: Like all our GD wheels our Alfa 4C wheel will be re-trimmed in automotive-grade Nappa leather - either Perforated or Smooth leather or, of course, in genuine Alcantara. And we are happy to combine Perforated and Smooth leather (a typical design choice on many of our wheels is to use Perforated leather at the sides and Smooth at the top/bottom sections) and, of course, Alcantara.
STITCHWORK: We take pride in our work including clean and carefully done stitchwork since all our wheels are prepared in our own shop by Michal, our highly skilled and experienced leather craftsperson. We also have 3 stitch patterns to choose from.
THUMB RESTS: The stock 4C wheel has some really big thumb rests… for customers who find these excessive we can tone down the size of the thumb rests to be more subtle (and thus more comfortable), which we agree are excessive for most people on the stock wheel.
4. Core Deposit of $949 = "zero driving downtime".
The $949 “Core Deposit” (set to reflect cost of an Alfa 4C wheel and they are not cheap or easy to come by, even used!) is fully refundable when you return your old wheel to us. To explain what we mean by “zero driving downtime": First, we send you your new GD OEM+ Alfa 4C wheel crafted to your design choices and ready to install (and it is of course based on a factory Alfa wheel so installation is “plug and play”). And then when you have installed it you will send your old 4C wheel back to our shop (in the same packaging material you got your new GD OEM+ Alfa 4C wheel). When we receive your old wheel at the shop we refund in full your $949 Core Deposit. The idea is that then your old wheel will be ready for the next Alfa 4C client… who will send their old wheel in… and so on… ?
Joined
·
22,662 Posts
Thanks, @Treetopflyer. The link you provided has some photos with really nice looking workmanship and a lot of different materials/designs.
I see that they also have shift boots to match.
Good find!
I see that they also have shift boots to match.
Good find!
Joined
·
1,025 Posts
yup. And I can personally vouch for them. They made me a wheel as I mentioned. FWIW my experience with them is 5 stars. The wheels have to be seen to believe.
Joined
·
1,613 Posts
So is Guardian Designs basically a guy in Canada contracting the work out to RedLineGoods in Poland?
Joined
·
1,025 Posts
not sure if it’s the same as redline. Is it? But Angelos is a great guy “locally” (N/A).
I’ve ordered a wheel from Angelos and boots for both my Abarth and 4c from redline.
If they are one in the same, Angelos is far and away a better customer service contact.
I have experience with both....
Joined
·
1,613 Posts
I don't mean to imply anything negative if that is the situation, just seemed like a pretty big coincidence if not. The work looks great in the gallery you linked to. My only concern would be if there was an unnecessary middle-man markup, but I haven't seen pricing. I should look into an alcantara wheel for my 124 Abarth...
Joined
·
1,025 Posts
Joined
·
782 Posts
Sorry for going off topic, are you still selling the brake cooling kit?
Sent from my Lenovo TB-8704X using Tapatalk
21 - 40 of 56 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
