Stock XJ urethane steering wheel cracks and feels cheap. Options: leather wrap kit (Wheelskins), full wheel replacement with Grant or Momo wheel + adapter, or swap WJ leather steering wheel (1999-2004).
Options ranked by effort and result:
(1) Slip-on cover ($15): ugly stop-gap. Don't bother.
(2) Lace-on leather wrap (Wheelskins, RedlineGoods): leather sleeve you stitch onto the existing wheel using included needle/thread. 1-2 hours, $50-100, looks great. Most popular XJ choice. Wheelskins makes XJ-specific sizes (14.5" diameter, varying grip thickness).
(3) WJ leather steering wheel swap (1999-2004 Grand Cherokee): leather-wrapped from the factory. Bolt pattern same as XJ but the wheel includes cruise/audio buttons that won't function without harness work. Many builders install the wheel and ignore the dead buttons. ~$50 used.
(4) Aftermarket wheel + hub adapter: Grant, Momo, Sparco wheels via a hub adapter ($40-80). Requires removing airbag (1995+) and either retaining the harness (no airbag — illegal in some states for daily) or installing a hub with airbag retention.
Airbag warning: XJ from 1995 has driver's airbag. Aftermarket wheel without proper hub disables the airbag, which on 1995+ also disables passenger airbag and produces a constant airbag warning light. For daily drivers, leather-wrapping the stock wheel is the safe choice. For trail-only rigs, aftermarket is fine.
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelskins leather wrap (XJ size) | Wheelskins | ~$90 |
| WJ leather steering wheel (used) | Junkyard / eBay | ~$50 |
| Grant 4-spoke wheel + adapter for XJ | Grant | ~$180 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.