Hepar
New member
That's another reason I wanted the sport seats. They're much more stain resistant. I've already spilled all sorts of stuff on mine and nothing has stained.
Cloth vs. Leather
- Thread starter SCRunner12
- Start date
That's another reason I wanted the sport seats. They're much more stain resistant. I've already spilled all sorts of stuff on mine and nothing has stained.
MAD 69
New member
My Runner has the ugly Toyota cloth seats that look like they were designed in the '70's. If I ever come across any leather seats that are in good condition I'll swap them in a heartbeat. I would like to put some high end seats as well with extra long rails such as an Acura NSX or a Lexus RX setup.
Wet Oaklees are nice too but I can't afford almost $300 for 2 seat covers.
Avarice
New member
I'm assuming you're referring to "Alcantara", which is essentially just synthetic suede. I love the stuff, and think it looks good and grips even better. Apparently it's quite a bit more durable than suede as well.
One thing I'm surprised nobody with cloth has brought up is that you stick to it better. I suppose it's not really a problem in our 4runners since they have narrow seats and you're not exactly cornering quickly.
In a fast car however, suede/alcantara inserts or cloth seats are prefferable imo. Unless the seats fit me perfect, I always find myself slipping around in them. For example, my base model cloth seats in my civic hatch held onto me way better than my buddies leather RSX Type S buckets. Same goes for the rx-8 leather buckets my friend has.
Seat covers takes care of what ever you have.
I have cloth and the only thing i would like leather for is Dog hair.
as for stains, dont drink and drive. but the cloth can butter cup those smells that you left earlier. hahaha
I am happy with my cloth. cause that is what I have. :fishing:
I have cloth and the only thing i would like leather for is Dog hair.
as for stains, dont drink and drive. but the cloth can butter cup those smells that you left earlier. hahaha
I am happy with my cloth. cause that is what I have. :fishing:
jrm
New member
Agreed
i was and am really impressed with the condition of the leather interior in my 00 limited. i also "think" that the leather conforms better to my big ass. or it just seems as comfortable
Do you have any idea what kind of leather conditioner or soap toyota rec's for leather interiors?
i was and am really impressed with the condition of the leather interior in my 00 limited. i also "think" that the leather conforms better to my big ass. or it just seems as comfortable
Do you have any idea what kind of leather conditioner or soap toyota rec's for leather interiors?
BrianSD_42
New member
hey
I hear a lot of "leather gets SO hot in the summer"
There are ways of keeping your truck cool. I have leather and I always have loved it. It doesn't get too hot around here in San Diego, but I have been out to the desert or left my car in the sun plenty of times.
If you take these simple steps you won't experience burned-@ss sensation from your leather seats in the sun.
Done. The interior of your car will not reach dangerous levels even if it is 105 outside.
:thumb3:
LEATHER
:thumb3:
I hear a lot of "leather gets SO hot in the summer"
There are ways of keeping your truck cool. I have leather and I always have loved it. It doesn't get too hot around here in San Diego, but I have been out to the desert or left my car in the sun plenty of times.
If you take these simple steps you won't experience burned-@ss sensation from your leather seats in the sun.
1. crack the windows (at least the rear and sunroof)
2. tint your truck
3. get a reflect sun shield (the metallic mirror type)
2. tint your truck
3. get a reflect sun shield (the metallic mirror type)
Done. The interior of your car will not reach dangerous levels even if it is 105 outside.
:thumb3:
LEATHER
:thumb3:
maxspeed96ct
New member
I love leather, wish my truck had it.
But I hate leather seats that arent heated , Id reather sit on my cloth then on a ice cube.
But I hate leather seats that arent heated , Id reather sit on my cloth then on a ice cube.
Antpwr
New member
i am torn really, have always loved the leather, all my other vehicles had cloth, was always good to me, but i love the look of the leather, how easy it is to clean up, also have 2 kids, and super easy to "detail", hate the fact it cracks, cold in winter, and hot in summer, but it does only come in the limited, so i will have to go with Leather
TheDurk
Elite Member
I have one of each. In Brazil, I have cloth and that's better for down there. (I agree with Brianemc2; you get a huge difference with the rear and sunroof cracked. I like to do the rear lift on the sunroof and close the solid panel all but an inch or two to cut the solar gain. It seems to set up a convection current from back to front and the difference is dramatic.)
Up here I have the leather and I would pick leather if I had to have only one, so....LEATHER.
THEREALTOR1
New member
I have the sport cloth, and it is really nice, but would ultimately like to have leather. Maybe when I get it paid off i'll look into seeing if I can find a set of the tan (maybe its oak) colored leathers out of a limited thats been wrecked or something. I think it would look good to two-tone it with the tan/oak seats and the standard grey doors/dash/carpet. Almost something like what fourflusher has.
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vooduguru
New member
Ok, here's my .02 cents.
Cloth is better because it's cheaper.
Leather is better because, when properly cared for, can last much longer, it's stain proof, it can be "healed" if it gets a puncture, it doesn't absorb spills, it smells better, it looks better, it helps retain the value of the car better.
If cloth gets torn, you can stitch it, but then you have....an ugly scar.
If leather gets torn, it's far easier to replace a section of leather from a skilled upholstery shop (usually under $100 if you're a decent negotiator) rather than trying to find the bizzare patterns that a car manufacturer makes in it's cloth.
When the leather gets bad enough, you can redo the entire interior for about $1,300 and it looks completely original. Cloth on the other hand....IF you can find the oem material, you're kind of up the creek.
Cloth is better because it's cheaper.
Leather is better because, when properly cared for, can last much longer, it's stain proof, it can be "healed" if it gets a puncture, it doesn't absorb spills, it smells better, it looks better, it helps retain the value of the car better.
If cloth gets torn, you can stitch it, but then you have....an ugly scar.
If leather gets torn, it's far easier to replace a section of leather from a skilled upholstery shop (usually under $100 if you're a decent negotiator) rather than trying to find the bizzare patterns that a car manufacturer makes in it's cloth.
When the leather gets bad enough, you can redo the entire interior for about $1,300 and it looks completely original. Cloth on the other hand....IF you can find the oem material, you're kind of up the creek.
96743runner
New member
I voted for cloth because its much easier to take care of than leather, plus it's more comfortable too, IMO. My Tacoma has the TRD Sport cloth seats and damn that seat is one of the most comfortable car seats that I've ever sat in. Haha
My 4Runner has the Limited leather seats and the fronts were kind of worn out and beginning to crack...we took care of the seats and everything over the years, but they still wore out pretty bad. Doesn't matter anyway though, since they are now covered with Wet Okole's.
But I totally agree with those that said luxury cars need leather. I admit, leather does look good in all vehicles, its just in trucks that I feel cloth is a better option, function-wise.
My 4Runner has the Limited leather seats and the fronts were kind of worn out and beginning to crack...we took care of the seats and everything over the years, but they still wore out pretty bad. Doesn't matter anyway though, since they are now covered with Wet Okole's.
But I totally agree with those that said luxury cars need leather. I admit, leather does look good in all vehicles, its just in trucks that I feel cloth is a better option, function-wise.
awpsome
New member
this may add to the debate, but we might not all be on the same page for "cloth"
there is the sport cloth much better then the cloth in our 3rd gens.. those are two very different cloth i feel should be considered when i say 3rd gen 4runner leather > 3rd gen 4runner cloth
i too have water proof seat covers but when they are out for a wash it just feels weird sitting on the cloth. haha iunno
there is the sport cloth much better then the cloth in our 3rd gens.. those are two very different cloth i feel should be considered when i say 3rd gen 4runner leather > 3rd gen 4runner cloth
i too have water proof seat covers but when they are out for a wash it just feels weird sitting on the cloth. haha iunno
CanukRunner
New member
Cloth of course!!!!.....
OK I have cloth but wish it was leather....................lol
OK I have cloth but wish it was leather....................lol
Benski
Member
Totally cloth, wouldn't consider leather for my lifestyle.
I wanted a dark green truck with tan cloth, and found it in a 5 speed! I spend a lot of time in wet trunks in the Summer and like the cool soft touch of cloth seats. My truck is a 96 SR5 with just over 160,000 miles and the seats look new! I've seen trucks with split and cracked leather and it's ugly. Here's my take. If you may be a sweaty, stinky, spilling, smoker, with a wide rear end and kids, who need a lot of adjustments and heat to make you comfortable, and you think leather looks better, get leather! My old cloth SR5 seats are very comfortable, look new, smell fine and I put a nice sheepskin pad my neighbor gave me under my butt in the Winter to ease any wear and add warmth.
I wanted a dark green truck with tan cloth, and found it in a 5 speed! I spend a lot of time in wet trunks in the Summer and like the cool soft touch of cloth seats. My truck is a 96 SR5 with just over 160,000 miles and the seats look new! I've seen trucks with split and cracked leather and it's ugly. Here's my take. If you may be a sweaty, stinky, spilling, smoker, with a wide rear end and kids, who need a lot of adjustments and heat to make you comfortable, and you think leather looks better, get leather! My old cloth SR5 seats are very comfortable, look new, smell fine and I put a nice sheepskin pad my neighbor gave me under my butt in the Winter to ease any wear and add warmth.
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JohnsD90
New member
Yeah, my sister stained my rear seats since my prior post, but the cloth in mine is in much better shape than if i would have had leather.
Nunyabiz
New member
IMO Sport Cloth is way better than leather.
Stays pretty much the same temp from summer to winter whereas leather is fried bacon in summer and like sitting on an ice rink in the winter.
Off the road you are sliding on the leather like grease but the sport cloth you stay put.
All around just more comfortable.
Under normal wear and tear (meaning not slicing it with a sharp object or throwing a branding iron on it) the Sport Cloth will easily outlast the leather.
Mine is 11, almost 12 years old and the seats look like they are about maybe 1-2 years old still. There is virtually no wear on the cloth at all.
12 year old leather even well taken care of would look no where near as good.
and not sure about 4Runner leather seats but in 90% of all other leather seats out there everything but the center is not leather anyway, its Pleather and usually well within 10 years has started cracking.
If I were buying a new truck I would actually pay extra for the CLOTH, I would have to get a great deal on the truck to accept leather, then would take those seats out and buy brand new sport cloth ones.
The only leather seats I have had in past cars that I liked was in my 1977 Porsche 930 Turbo which were very nice deep Racaro buckets.
Put the identical seats in my 1969 Baja Bug.
Those were acceptable, well made, comfortable, all leather just very hot in summer.
Stays pretty much the same temp from summer to winter whereas leather is fried bacon in summer and like sitting on an ice rink in the winter.
Off the road you are sliding on the leather like grease but the sport cloth you stay put.
All around just more comfortable.
Under normal wear and tear (meaning not slicing it with a sharp object or throwing a branding iron on it) the Sport Cloth will easily outlast the leather.
Mine is 11, almost 12 years old and the seats look like they are about maybe 1-2 years old still. There is virtually no wear on the cloth at all.
12 year old leather even well taken care of would look no where near as good.
and not sure about 4Runner leather seats but in 90% of all other leather seats out there everything but the center is not leather anyway, its Pleather and usually well within 10 years has started cracking.
If I were buying a new truck I would actually pay extra for the CLOTH, I would have to get a great deal on the truck to accept leather, then would take those seats out and buy brand new sport cloth ones.
The only leather seats I have had in past cars that I liked was in my 1977 Porsche 930 Turbo which were very nice deep Racaro buckets.
Put the identical seats in my 1969 Baja Bug.
Those were acceptable, well made, comfortable, all leather just very hot in summer.
