Anyone ever use leatherseats.com on their 3rd gen

[Ironman707]

Hey what's up guys, I just got my hands on a 98 sr5, the trucks a bit old but pretty clean for its age but I want to get leather seats in it. I've searched around the thread and read some posts about some eBay seller. I looked him up and he's asking for $800+ for just the front seats and currently isn't making any back seats.

I also looked up leatherseats.com and they're offering 1200 for everything with shipping. My question is, has anyone used them for their 3rd gen?? How did they fit?? Any issues with them?? Or would anyone else recommend any place different

 

[jsukey]

I think you would probably be better off finding someone who is parting out a Limited, and taking that route. I can't tell you how many 4Runners that I've ran across, where the rear seats looked brand new. My current and previous 4Runners also fell into that category. If the front seats do need some attention, it's more than likely only going to be the seat bottom. I'm not familiar with the website that you speak of, but I can vouch for the guy from Ebay. I needed to replace my seat bottom when I bought my current 4Runner. Got it installed for around $70, and the look, color, and feel is dead on. Yes, he is pricey...but I believe you get what you pay for. You certainly don't want to have to do it again in a couple of years!!!

 

[pauldub]

You might want to look at Katskin leather seat covers.

 

[trovergraywilson]

Mental note - the vinyl on the side of my driver's seat (2002 LTD) is finally cracking and I figured I'd replace the bottom.

 

[Ironman707]

You might want to look at Katskin leather seat covers.

I saw them too but can't find anyone that actually got them on a 3rd gen... But I'll keep looking for results

 

[suppra87]

Can't say I have heard much about leatherseats.com but I did some reseach and found a few people from way back on here that used upholsteryguys on ebay. I decided to go that route. Certainly pricey at $410 for one seat but I have heard quality is top notch and a "perfect" match.

I'm also installing a Rostra heating element when I put on the new leather. Should be arriving tomorrow actually. Ill post up some pictures if you're interested.

 

[I'mStock]

Can't say I have heard much about leatherseats.com but I did some reseach and found a few people from way back on here that used upholsteryguys on ebay. I decided to go that route. Certainly pricey at $410 for one seat but I have heard quality is top notch and a "perfect" match.

I'm also installing a Rostra heating element when I put on the new leather. Should be arriving tomorrow actually. Ill post up some pictures if you're interested.

Please post a follow-up. I really like those covers on eBay and I'm dying to know if they're worth the loot. :high5:

 

[gamefreakgc]

I can find a complete 4Runner that just needs some repairs for $1200 LOL! Yeah, just watch junk yards and grab a seat or two that looks good and save yourself some money!

 

[jsukey]

Here are a couple of pics of the seat bottom that I bought from the Upholsteryguys on Ebay. You will see a bluish hue on the seat, but that is from my FRC work pants. This pic was taken about a year after I had them installed.

 

[jsukey]

Other pic:

 

[Jason B]

I'm working with a guy who I might become a dealer for who's doing a vinyl that looks just like leather and it guaranteed not to crack. I'm trying to get a sample seat...

 

[youngm7]

I recently had my SR5 cloth covers off to install heater elements and it had me casually looking for a decent leather/leatherette replacement at a fair price. It just doesn't seem worth it to spend over $1000. I'm definitely going to keep an eye on this thread.

FWIW I'm much happier with my cloth covers after running them through the washing machine. it's pretty labor intensive to take it all apart and put back together, though.

 

[suppra87]

Please post a follow-up. I really like those covers on eBay and I'm dying to know if they're worth the loot. :high5:

I certainly will! I can't wait to see how they turn out and finally have a heated seat in my truck. I have been spoiled with heated seats and heated steering wheel on my Audi A6.
[MENTION=20809]jsukey[/MENTION] Those covers look great. How is the leather holding up where it contacts the plastic seat on the outer bolsters.?

 

[jsukey]

It is holding up as if it were a brand new seat. The quality can't be beat with those guys. It looks and feels like it's OEM.

I certainly will! I can't wait to see how they turn out and finally have a heated seat in my truck. I have been spoiled with heated seats and heated steering wheel on my Audi A6.

[MENTION=20809]jsukey[/MENTION] Those covers look great. How is the leather holding up where it contacts the plastic seat on the outer bolsters.?

 

[Ironman707]

Well now I'm tempted to try those eBay guys, it's a bit pricy but tax returns are right around the corner lol

 

[jsukey]

I looked at Craigslist last night, and saw 3 different 4Runners being parted out within 20 miles that had leather. Again, the rear seats looked almost new. I bet you could get a full set for under $500. If they do need new bottoms, I would definitely recommend the Ebay guys.

Well now I'm tempted to try those eBay guys, it's a bit pricy but tax returns are right around the corner lol

 

[Ironman707]

I looked at Craigslist last night, and saw 3 different 4Runners being parted out within 20 miles that had leather. Again, the rear seats looked almost new. I bet you could get a full set for under $500. If they do need new bottoms, I would definitely recommend the Ebay guys.

I checked CL here in Cali but most of the part outs have the seats gone already, I made an offer for the back seats to someone but I haven't heard back

 

[gamefreakgc]

I recently had my SR5 cloth covers off to install heater elements and it had me casually looking for a decent leather/leatherette replacement at a fair price. It just doesn't seem worth it to spend over $1000. I'm definitely going to keep an eye on this thread.

FWIW I'm much happier with my cloth covers after running them through the washing machine. it's pretty labor intensive to take it all apart and put back together, though.

An alternative is to rent a Rug Doctor if they have those where you live, normally you can find them in grocery stores, Walmart, etc. For about $40 you can rent it for 24 hours and really deep clean your seats, carpets, etc. Worked wonders on my seats and carpet and didn't have to remove anything. The water from the seats came out yellow though :barf:

Well now I'm tempted to try those eBay guys, it's a bit pricy but tax returns are right around the corner lol

I do realize it's your money and you could do with it what you want, but think about what else you could get for that much? You could get a whole new suspension/lift purchased and installed, or a set of great tires and some new wheels, or a host of camping/outdoor gear. Or half-way there to a supercharger.

 

[T5RUNNER]

Around here it's fairly common for people to dislike leather (myself included) and trade out the entire interior for cloth. You may be able to find a trade if you are patient. I would do it if I wasn't about to sell the whole truck.

Also, like everyone else has said, the eBay replacement leather is perfect (the company is called Perfect Stitch) and they even sent me new foam to repair my busted seat bottom. You could get skins for both front seats, but it's like $900.

 

[Ironman707]

An alternative is to rent a Rug Doctor if they have those where you live, normally you can find them in grocery stores, Walmart, etc. For about $40 you can rent it for 24 hours and really deep clean your seats, carpets, etc. Worked wonders on my seats and carpet and didn't have to remove anything. The water from the seats came out yellow though :barf:



I do realize it's your money and you could do with it what you want, but think about what else you could get for that much? You could get a whole new suspension/lift purchased and installed, or a set of great tires and some new wheels, or a host of camping/outdoor gear. Or half-way there to a supercharger.

True... I might have to do the suspension since I heard the front left squeak a lot today... Maybe I'll just wait on the seats for a while