Putting A 2001 Rx Wood Wheel On A 1999 Gs 300

[rerskine1fn]

HELLO! This is my first post and I have some questions.

I am trying to switch to a wood wheel for my '99 GS 300. I found a 2001 RX wood wheel for $350 w/out the airbag!

First of all, is that a good price? It seems fine to me, but my concern is fitting it with an airbag.

Will the old '99 GS airbag fit?

Is there likely to be a significant color difference b/w the two models?

If the airbag won't fit, where would I go about finding one?

Is this a reasonable DIY project?

And of course, the look is important, but I wouldnt want to do anything to compromise the safety of the airbag :o Thanks for any help you can offer!!!

[Neo]

HELLO! This is my first post and I have some questions.

I am trying to switch to a wood wheel for my '99 GS 300. I found a 2001 RX wood wheel for $350 w/out the airbag!

First of all, is that a good price? It seems fine to me, but my concern is fitting it with an airbag.

Will the old '99 GS airbag fit?

Is there likely to be a significant color difference b/w the two models?

If the airbag won't fit, where would I go about finding one?

Is this a reasonable DIY project?

And of course, the look is important, but I wouldnt want to do anything to compromise the safety of the airbag  :o Thanks for any help you can offer!!!

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The airbag on the GS will not fit on the wood wheel. Lexus changed the design after 01. The ONLY airbag that will work is the 01 RX300 airbag. All the newer airbags are 2-stage and has a different connector than the 98-00 GS, which had a single stage airbag and connector. The 01 RX300 airbag had a unique quality that it was a single stage airbag (and appropriate connector) with the shape of the 01+ airbags.

BTW - It is only a coincidence that you found an 01 RX300 wood wheel. This airbag issue is independent. For example. if you found an 02 RX, GS wood wheel, you will still need the 01 RX300 airbag.

[rerskine1fn]

Thanks Neo. I read a similar post earlier, but you went into a little more detail here. I think I've got it now! But any idea on availability or price of those RX air bags??...Is this a project so unlikely that I should just spend the dough on some other mods? <_<

[Neo]

The airbag goes for $5-600 unless you find it at a junk yard or find it used on eBay. I personally have given up on this mod as the close to $1k can be used elsewhere on my car. ;)

[rerskine1fn]

Yeah - that $1k is going somewhere else!

My mods so far:

- I needed new tires, so I went on eBay and got the 2003 graphite stock GS wheels w/new tires for only about $200 more than I would have spent on the tires alone :D they should be here tomorrow

- Wood gear shift (got that last year and stopped there)

- After the reality of this post set in, I went online last night and bought the 2001+ tail lights and clear side markers (my ride is black)

? I read a post from Mailmanx about the Sherwood dashes, and they look good, but damn if I'm not worried about dropping $250 on something that might look cheesy in person!! - anyone else with personal experience to share??

I might take the rest of the money I had set aside and get it detailed/buffed to get those freakin swirl marks out!!! - but I guess that's a topic for the Detail Forum!

Thanks for all the feedback - I should have joined a looong time ago

[dcfish]

Yeah - that $1k is going somewhere else!

My mods so far:

- I needed new tires, so I went on eBay and got the 2003 graphite stock GS wheels w/new tires for only about $200 more than I would have spent on the tires alone :D they should be here tomorrow

- Wood gear shift (got that last year and stopped there)

- After the reality of this post set in, I went online last night and bought the 2001+ tail lights and clear side markers (my ride is black)

? I read a post from Mailmanx about the Sherwood dashes, and they look good, but damn if I'm not worried about dropping $250 on something that might look cheesy in person!! - anyone else with personal experience to share??

I might take the rest of the money I had set aside and get it detailed/buffed to get those freakin swirl marks out!!! - but I guess that's a topic for the Detail Forum!

Thanks for all the feedback - I should have joined a looong time ago

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Welcome aboard